The judge dismissed the claims of Proud Boys’ first amendment in the January 6 case

Judge Timothy Kelly, in a 43-page review issued on Tuesday, he sided with the Department of Justice on a number of key legal issues, boosting prosecutors as they prepare for the first wave of U.S. Capitol riot trials starting in February.

Kelly gave the green light to prosecutors’ use of an obstruction offense, among several other charges Proud Boys leaders Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Charles Donohoe and Zachary Rehl. (All pleaded not guilty.) The judge also denied the defendants’ claims that the riot could have been a protected First Amendment protest.

Kelly also wrote: “Obviously, there were many avenues for defendants to express their views on the 2020 presidential election, or their views on how Congress should fulfill its constitutional duties on January 6, without resorting to the conduct they have been charged with. “

Kelly, appointed by former President Donald Trump, is now the fourth DC district court judge to uphold prosecutors’ use of the law in the Jan. 6 cases.

The ruling in the Proud Boys case is especially notable because this and a separate case against members of another right-wing group, the Oath Keepers, are two of the most prominent prosecutions related to January 6. (Judge Amit Mehta previously confirmed the use of prosecutors). of the obstruction charge in the Oath Keepers case.)

Members of both groups are accused of conspiracy. In the case of Proud Boys, the four leaders are accused of working together to lead and equip members of their group in a violent paramilitary-style assault on the Capitol.