The integrity of the electoral ballots was not compromised, says Judge

Federal Judge Challenges DOJ's Push To Uphold Jan. 6 Riot Obstruction Charges

In a decisive blow to federal prosecutors, Judge Beryl Howell ruled against the Justice Department's effort to preserve felony obstruction charges against participants of the January 6 Capitol riot, Politico reported.

Judge Beryl Howell's ruling follows a Supreme Court decision limiting the scope of obstruction laws previously applied to the defendants.

The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling in June, determined that the use of the obstruction statute against these rioters was overly broad. Originally, over 300 defendants faced these charges before the high court's decision.

Following the Supreme Court's reinterpretation, the Justice Department retracted many of the obstruction charges, reassessing the remaining cases. They argued that charges could apply if it could be proven that the defendants intended to specifically disrupt the handling of Electoral College ballots by Congress.

In her ruling issued on a recent Friday, Judge Howell found no evidence to suggest the defendants intended to physically damage the electoral ballots, focusing instead on halting the certification process.

During the "riot," Congressional staff swiftly secured the ballots, ensuring they were unharmed and available for the continuation of the certification process once the order was restored.

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