The judge overseeing President-elect Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has halted any remaining court deadlines after prosecutors requested time to assess the situation following Trump’s presidential victory.
Special Counsel Jack Smith had charged Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The big picture: Smith’s team is evaluating how to wind down the federal cases before Trump takes office, considering the Justice Department policy that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.
- Following Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, the Justice Department believes he can no longer face prosecution as per department legal opinions meant to shield presidents from criminal charges while in office.
- In a court filing, Smith’s team stated the need for time to assess the unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course moving forward, in accordance with Department of Justice policy.
