Supreme Court considers laws that could affect Jan. 6 charges

Former President Donald Trump walks out of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, NY on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Former President Donald Trump walks out of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, NY on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Jabin Botsford/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could eliminate some of the federal charges Donald Trump is facing in the case accusing him of plotting to subvert the 2020 election and the prosections of the hundreds of rioters involved in the Jan. 6 attack. This comes just a day after jury selection began in the People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, with dozens of potential jurors being excused after they told the judge they could not be impartial.

The high court judges will consider whether the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted in the wake of the energy giant Enron’s collapse, can be used against Joseph W. Fischer, a former police officer who participated in the Capitol assault.

The law makes it a crime to obstruct, influence, or impede any official proceeding. It was enacted to prohibit the destruction of evidence, but in this case, it is being argued that by entering the Capitol, rioters like Fischer obstructed the counting of electoral ballots.

The law is involved in two of the federal charges against Trump in his election subversion case. If the Supreme Court rules that it does not apply to Fischer, Trump is almost certain to argue it does not apply to his conduct either.

More from GZERO Media

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC, on Nov. 13, 2024.

ALLISON ROBBERT/Pool via REUTERS

In just under a week, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. These final days of Biden’s administration mark the very end of the calm before the storm.

- YouTube

A Gaza ceasefire has gained momentum. What is the likelihood a deal will be reached soon? What do I make of a potential sale of TikTok to Elon Musk? What does Lebanon's new president mean for Hezbollah? Ian Bremmer shares his insights on global politics this week on World In :60.

When his daughter was born, Johnny was able to use Walmart’s paid parental leave to spend six weeks bonding with her: “I’m a living example of the benefits Walmart provides.” Walmart’s comprehensive benefits — including paid parental leave, healthcare, tuition coverage, and more — help associates live better at work and at home. With a $1 billion investment in career-driven training and development, Walmart is creating pathways to higher-paying, higher-skilled jobs, so associates like Johnny can build better lives for themselves and their families. Learn why it pays to work at Walmart.

As we look ahead to the next four years, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the role of American AI. The path forward demands collaboration across all sectors, and Microsoft is ready to help chart this course. At Microsoft, we envision a three-pronged approach. First, the US must advance AI technology and infrastructure to maintain its global leadership. Second, it’s critical to expand skilling initiatives to equip the workforce for an AI-powered future. Finally, exporting American AI innovation to allied nations will not only strengthen international partnerships but also bolster domestic economic growth. Realizing this vision requires a unified effort from government, industry, and educational institutions, and Microsoft is committed to playing a key role in this journey. You can learn more here.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a joint press conference at the summit of the Baltic Sea NATO countries at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on Jan. 14, 2025.
STT-Lehtikuva/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The alliance has announced that it is dispatching naval drones, submarines, ships, and aircraft to patrol the Baltic Sea in a mission called “Baltic Sentry.” The aim? To prevent Russia from committing acts of sabotage.

President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the State Department on Jan. 13, 2025.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

The president issued an executive order on Tuesday to allow the US Departments of Defense and Energy to lease federal land for data centers.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a visit to the Manufacturing Futures Lab at UCL in London, on Jan. 13, 2025, as he prepares to launch a plan to harness AI to spur growth and efficiency in the country.

HENRY NICHOLLS/Pool via REUTERS

On Monday, the British government announced the AI Opportunities Action Plan, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s economic and technological development plan for artificial intelligence.

Two hands, one human and one robotic, touching each other in front of a pink background.

According to a new survey from the World Economic Forum as part of its annual Future of Jobs report, 41% of large companies plan to reduce their workforces as AI becomes more powerful.