A federal judge in the US District Court for the District of Columbia has refused to dismiss one count of obstruction of an official proceeding for accused Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol rioter Rachel Powell.

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth denied the Mercer County mother of eight's request to dismiss the most serious charge against her, adding in the memorandum order that "Powell follows in the footsteps of her almost uniformly unsuccessful fellow January 6 defendants and moves to dismiss Count One of her indictment." 

Powell was called "pink hat lady" and "bullhorn lady" after being viewed during the footage of the storming of the Capitol based supporting Donald Trump's repeated false claims of election fraud.

That first count the judge denied to toss alleges that Powell obstructed Congress during the process of certifying Joseph Biden’s presidential election victory could result in a 20-year prison term if she is convicted.

According to an affidavit, during national news coverage of the capitol riot on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C., video footage showed a woman in a pink hat, a black jacket with a fur-lined hoodie using a bullhorn telling others how to gain control of the Capitol. Investigators say they later identified the woman as Powell.

Once inside, the affidavit says Powell was seen using the bullhorn to give instructions about the layout of the building and instructing others on how to "take this building." She also noted that they “have another window to break," according to the affidavit.
 
Powell, one of six Valley residents charged in connection with the insurrection, faces trial on charges including obstruction, destruction of US property over $1,000, entering a restricted building or property with a dangerous weapon, entering a restricted building/property, and disorderly conduct.
 
On July 7, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth denied an easing federal judge's order that Powell obey a curfew and wear an electronic location monitoring ankle bracelet while she awaits trial on charges from the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.