A top Trump-appointed prosecutor has initiated an internal investigation within the Justice Department's decision to bring felony obstruction charges against numerous defendants involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Ed Martin, who is serving as the acting US Attorney in Washington, DC, has requested that prosecutors submit all related materials containing relevant information pertaining to the cases.
The Supreme Court last year determined that the Justice Department exceeded its authority by using an obstruction statute from the Enron era. This statute can impose a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. It was employed to charge individuals accused of disrupting the joint session of Congress held on January 6 to confirm the election victory of former US President Joe Biden over incumbent President Donald Trump.