During a recent hearing, Justice Sonia Sotomayor addressed arguments regarding the use of the obstruction statute in the context of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. She noted that the events of that day were unprecedented and unlike anything seen before.
Justice Sotomayor emphasized that the attempt to stop a congressional proceeding with violence was a first-of-its-kind event in American history. In response to concerns about the lack of historical precedent for applying the obstruction statute in this manner, she pointed out that the unique nature of the Capitol riot required a fresh perspective.
