Federal Appeals Court Affirms Use of Felony 'Obstruction' Charges Against Capitol Rioters

The ruling supports the prosecution's position that the statute criminalizing obstruction of government proceedings applies to the mob's attack on the Capitol.
The decision allows prosecutors to continue pursuing charges against hundreds who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Judges rejected defense arguments that the law was too broad and would criminalize lawful protest.
About 150 rioters have already been convicted of felony obstruction, with many more trials still to come.