Rudolph Angler Special counsel Jack Smith has requested the dismissal of two major criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, citing longstanding Department of Justice policies and constitutional requirements. The cases involve allegations of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his retention of classified documents during his first term.
In filings submitted on Monday, Smith argued that prosecuting Trump as a sitting president would violate Justice Department norms. He emphasized that the Constitution mandates the dismissal of these cases before Trump’s inauguration, though he clarified that this dismissal would not be with prejudice, leaving room for potential revival after Trump’s term ends.
United States District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan approved the motion, underscoring that the cases may be reopened in the future. Smith noted that Trump’s legal team supported the decision to drop the charges at this time.
Trump and his representatives welcomed the development. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, declared it a victory for the rule of law and a rejection of what they called the “political weaponization” of the justice system. “The American people re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again,” Cheung said, expressing hope for national unity and an end to politically motivated prosecutions.
The decision effectively halts legal proceedings in these cases but leaves open the possibility of revisiting them after Trump leaves office. This marks a significant development in the high-profile legal challenges surrounding Trump as he prepares to assume the presidency once again.