Dear MoveOn member,
The Supreme Court just ruled in favor of January 6 rioters by saying that prosecutors overstepped by using an obstruction law to charge January 6 rioter, Joseph Fischer.1 This decision could impact the charges facing hundreds of insurrectionists, including Donald Trump.
A narrow majority ruled that the law that hundreds of insurrectionists were charged with was intended for circumstances involving tampering with physical evidence.2 Now, the case goes back to the lower court to decide whether the charges are valid for Fischer, and this will likely lead to courts' dismissing this charge for other January 6 insurrectionists as well.3
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether Donald Trump has "absolute presidential immunity" or not, but one thing is clear—the right-wing-packed court's hearing this case to begin with is a win for Donald Trump. First, they helped delay his federal elections trial by entertaining his claim that he's immune from prosecution, and now, the court has issued a win to January 6 rioters.
The nation's highest court has a serious corruption problem. Justice Clarence Thomas's wife, Ginni Thomas, had a key role in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election.4 Justice Samuel Alito had multiple insurrectionist-affiliated flags hanging outside of his homes.5 They were both allowed to rule in this case, even with clear conflicts of interests.
Justices Thomas and Alito have both ruled in cases involving January 6 and Donald Trump, knowing that they have a clear conflict of interest—and ignoring calls from congressional leaders and everyday Americans demanding that they do the right thing and recuse themselves. The Supreme Court's "code of ethics" has no way of being properly enforced—and today's ruling shows that the justices won't hold themselves accountable, and, instead will protect their ally Donald Trump.6
Congress has the power to prevent further corruption on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act would adopt a code of conduct for justices and create a system for investigating and receiving complaints.7 It would also establish rules for governing the disclosure of gifts, travel, and income received by justices.
The right-wing-packed Supreme Court's decisions have caused immeasurable harm to our communities. From overturning Roe and stripping our bodily autonomy away to criminalizing unhoused people for not having shelter to harming immigrants and their families and so much more.8,9
Leaders in Congress must take swift action NOW in order to stop further corruption on the court.
Together, we can call on Congress to impose commonsense ethics rules and ensure that our highest court respects precedent and stands up for the American people, not MAGA extremists and special interests.
Sign the petition now and share with three friends.
Thanks for all you do.
–Alexis, Allison, Soraya, Kelly, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Supreme Court rules for Jan. 6 rioter challenging obstruction charge," NBC News, June 28, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/194239?t=8&akid=395930%2E40999114%2EMy7Blm
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. "Who is Ginni Thomas and why is she important to the Jan. 6 hearings?" PBS News, June 20, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/194240?t=10&akid=395930%2E40999114%2EMy7Blm
5. "New York Times: Another controversial flag spotted outside a Samuel Alito property," CNN, May 23, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/194241?t=12&akid=395930%2E40999114%2EMy7Blm
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