Supreme Court Issues Series of Major Rulings

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in favor of Joseph Fischer, a former police officer charged with obstructing Congress during the January 6 Capitol riot. The court narrowed the use of a 2002 obstruction law, saying it applies mainly to evidence tampering. This decision could affect similar charges against Donald Trump, but it’s unclear to what extent.

In a separate 6–3 decision, the court upheld an Oregon city’s ban on homeless individuals sleeping outdoors, rejecting claims that it violates the Eighth Amendment. The conservative majority emphasized local authority, while liberal justices dissented, calling the law inhumane.

Additionally, the Court cleared the way for emergency abortions in Idaho under federal law, despite the state’s near-total ban. The ruling, which follows a leaked draft earlier this week, dismissed the case for now but left the door open for future review. Justices Thomas and Alito criticized the decision as politically motivated and lacking justification.