Federal Judge Drops 2020 Election Case Against Trump on DOJ Request

A federal judge presiding over the 2020 election case against Donald Trump has dismissed the charges after a motion from special counsel Jack Smith.

This move concludes an unprecedented legal battle involving the former president, who will soon assume office again.

Judge Tanya Chutkan granted the dismissal shortly after Smith filed a motion citing Department of Justice policy

that prohibits prosecuting a sitting president. Smith explained that the department's legal interpretation requires halting any federal prosecution against a president-elect before their inauguration.

In his filing, Smith acknowledged the unique nature of the case, describing it as a scenario where a federal indictment was issued against a private citizen, only for that individual to subsequently win the presidency.

Despite maintaining confidence in the case, Smith concluded that constitutional constraints necessitate its dismissal at this stage.

Smith’s motion indicated that the dismissal would be "without prejudice," meaning the charges could be refiled after Trump leaves office in January 2029. Trump's legal team did not oppose this request.

In her decision, Judge Chutkan agreed that the temporary immunity granted to a sitting president warranted the dismissal. She emphasized that this immunity is not permanent and expires when a president leaves office.

A spokesperson for Trump hailed the decision as a significant legal victory, stating that it underscored public support for Trump's policies and his reelection. The statement also called for an end to what it described as political misuse of the justice system.

The dismissal was anticipated, as discussions between Smith and the DOJ had been ongoing following Trump’s reelection. Smith, appointed as special counsel in November 2022, had led investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and his alleged role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

Initially, Trump faced a four-count indictment alleging that he sought to subvert the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 election. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following a Supreme Court decision asserting that sitting presidents are immune from federal prosecution for official acts, some allegations in the case were dismissed or restructured.

Despite the case’s closure, Smith is expected to submit a final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland before stepping down. Public release of the report remains uncertain, as Trump’s upcoming administration could influence its availability.

Trump has also faced charges in unrelated cases at the state level in Georgia and New York, though these have not deterred his return to the presidency. As Trump prepares for his second term, many of his defense attorneys are poised to take on key roles in the Justice Department, further shaping the legal landscape moving forward.