Federal Judge Dismisses All Charges Against President-Elect Donald Trump
A U.S. federal judge has dismissed all charges against President-elect Donald Trump in cases related to the mishandling of classified documents and alleged interference in the 2020 election.
The decision follows a motion from special counsel Jack Smith, who sought to end federal prosecution on constitutional grounds.
End of High-Profile Legal Battles
The dismissal officially closes controversial cases that accused Trump of conspiring to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden and improperly handling sensitive government records. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan approved the request to dismiss the indictment tied to the January 6 Capitol riot, concluding a contentious chapter in U.S. legal and political history.
In his motion, Smith argued that the Constitution prohibits indicting a sitting president, emphasizing the necessity of dismissing the cases before Trump’s inauguration. “The Department’s position is that this case must be dismissed before the defendant assumes office,” Smith stated.
Judge Chutkan dismissed the case “without prejudice,” meaning charges could potentially be revisited after Trump leaves office.
Constitutional and Policy Considerations
The decision aligns with Justice Department policy, which bars the indictment of a sitting president to avoid interference with executive duties. The U.S. Supreme Court had also reinforced presidential immunity in a ruling earlier this year, significantly weakening the cases against Trump.
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Overview of Federal Indictments
Over the past year, Trump faced two major federal cases:
- Classified Documents Case: In June 2023, Trump was charged with 37 felony counts, including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice, for allegedly taking classified documents to his Florida residence. A Florida judge had previously dismissed the case, citing concerns over the special counsel’s appointment.
- 2020 Election Interference: In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding. These charges stemmed from efforts to overturn the election, culminating in the Capitol riot.
The motion to dismiss also applied to the classified documents case, which faced similar legal challenges.
While Trump’s charges have been dropped, the Justice Department confirmed proceedings would continue against co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira in the classified documents case, as they are not covered by presidential immunity.
Trump and His Team Respond
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, praised the decision, calling it “a major victory for the rule of law.” Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, described the investigations as politically driven attacks.
The dismissals come as Trump prepares to take office amid a highly polarized political climate. Although the legal battles have been paused, they remain a divisive topic among his supporters and critics.
