Judge Dismisses Trump’s 2020 Election Interference Case at Jack Smith's Request

Josh Fiallo

25 November 2024 at 1:51 pm·2-min read

Hours after Jack Smith threw in the towel on prosecuting Donald Trump’s federal election interference case in Washington, a judge agreed Monday.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted Smith’s motion to dismiss the Jan. 6-related indictment. The actions formally end the case that Trump illegally conspired to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden in the run-up to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The special prosecutor motioned Monday to dismiss all charges against Trump—including separate allegations that he mishandled classified documents—now that he’s poised to return to the White House in two months with full immunity from prosecution.

That decision is not a surprise. Smith followed a long-standing Department of Justice policy that bars it from prosecuting a sitting U.S. president, and it had become apparent that Trump’s trial would not wrap before his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Smith cited this policy in his motion while remaining adamant that the government’s case against its former president was rock-solid.

The Department of Justice has a long-standing policy that bars sitting presidents from being prosecuted at the federal level.

“That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the filing read. “Based on the Department’s interpretation of the Constitution, the Government moves for dismissal without prejudice of the superseding indictment.”

Trump’s legal woes, including his mishandling of classified documents, have subsided at the federal level.

The 78-year-old Trump isn’t totally out of the woods yet, however. He and others, like Rudy Giuliani, are still facing state charges related to election interference in Georgia. Since those charges aren’t federal, Trump cannot legally pardon himself or his pals from prosecution there.

Trump could also face charges—including the very ones Smith has motioned to have dismissed—after he completes his second White House term.

The Telegraph
What now for Asma al-Assad – the former British private schoolgirl turned international pariah
What must Asma al-Assad be thinking right now? Bright, beautiful and British-born, she could be living an affluent life in England, with friends, family and a fine career, had she not sold her soul to the devil. As it is, she is an international pariah, the wife of a monster responsible for more than half a million deaths, and she faces – along with her three children – the very real prospect of spending the rest of her days in joyless exile in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
CNN
Syrian rebel leader’s victory speech holds a message for Iran – and for Trump and Israel too
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s road to Damascus has been long. He has talked openly about his change along the way. From young al Qaeda fighter two decades ago, to rebel commander espousing sectarian tolerance.
Malay Mail
‘Thank you, Malaysia’: Immigration offices see surge of foreign nationals seeking voluntary repatriation with RM300-RM500 fines ahead of Dec 31 cutoff (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Hundreds of foreign nationals have been crowding the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department to apply...
Malay Mail
PM Anwar says won’t accept ‘exorbitant’ health insurance premium hikes
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today gave his assurance to Malaysians that the governmen...
Malay Mail
Ex-guard ends 16-year unfair dismissal case legal battle with US embassy after settlement deal
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — A 16-year legal battle between former security guard L. Subramaniam and the US embassy over allege...
Malay Mail
PAS spiritual leader tells Bersatu to back leadership claim with seats
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should not unilaterally claim it would lead states that...
The Telegraph
US missiles would run out within days in war with China
The US would run out of missiles within days if war breaks out with China, a House committee has found.
The Daily Beast
Trump Rewards His Fire-Breathing Lawyer Alina Habba With High-Ranking Title
President-elect Donald Trump has named his personal lawyer, Alina Habba, as counselor to the president. In a Truth Social post published Sunday night, Trump described Habba as a “tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team” while announcing her new role in the White House. “She has been unwavering in her loyalty and unmatched in her resolve,” the president-elect continued. “Standing with me through numerous ‘trials
The Independent
Fox News hosts suggest Jill Biden ‘flirted’ with Trump because ‘she gravitates towards power’
“That was almost heavy-duty petting,” Larry Kudlow said at one point about the friendly conversation Trump and Jill Biden engaged in, adding that he’s certain that she voted for the president-elect.
Associated Press
Trudeau says Americans are realizing Trump's tariffs on Canada would make life a lot more expensive
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that Americans “are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive" and said he will retaliate if Donald Trump goes ahead with them. Speaking at an event put on by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Trudeau also said dealing with Trump will be “a little more challenging” than the last time because Trump’s team is coming in with a much clearer set of ideas of what they want to do right away than after his first election win in 2016. The U.S. president-elect has threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.
The Independent
Syria – live: Israel says it has destroyed Syrian naval fleet as Mohammed al-Bashir appointed temporary PM
Israel denies penetrating Syria beyond buffer zone in occupied Golan Heights
Malay Mail
In 1MDB trial, Najib claims former US AG Loretta Lynch set out to ‘literally to lynch me’
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today claimed that the US Department of Justice’s (Do...
The Daily Beast
‘Lamest of the Lame Ducks’: Democrats Slam Disappearing Biden
Disaffected Democrats, including some from within his own administration, are furious with President Joe Biden for shrinking into a political non-entity since his party was walloped in last month’s election, according to multiple reports. “He’s been so cavalier and selfish about how he approaches the final weeks of the job,” a former White House official told Politico. The outlet—which spoke to nearly two dozen officials, including current and former White House staffers—reported that, since the
CNN
A mass animal sacrifice festival is underway in Nepal. Activists say it needs to stop
Animal rights activists have urged the Nepali government to stop what they’ve called “an appalling bloodbath” after they claimed thousands of animals were killed as part of a festival held every five years that traditionally ends with a mass animal sacrifice.
Malay Mail
Dewan Rakyat narrowly passes controversial Communications and Multimedia Act amendments after Opposition bloc vote
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Government lawmakers got away with a narrow majority to give the Communication and Multimedia Act...
The Independent
Neighbours protest after Muslim couple buys home in India: ‘This is a Hindu society’
Protesting residents hold up banners asking previous Hindu owner to take house back
HuffPost
'View' Co-Host Promises To Wear MAGA Hat On Air If Trump Accomplishes 1 Thing As President
The former Trump White House communications director resigned in 2020 but vowed Monday to celebrate him on "The View" if he kept one particular promise.
CNN
South Korea bans president from traveling overseas as insurrection probe widens
South Korean authorities have imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutors weigh possible insurrection charges over his botched attempt to impose martial law last week.
Associated Press
Five years since its inception, a US development agency competes with China on global projects
When President Joe Biden visited Angola last week, one of the highlights was his pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars for an ambitious trans-Africa rail project that would bring copper and cobalt from central Africa to the Atlantic port of Lobito. The project is possible because of the commitment of a $553 million direct loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, created in 2019 during the first Trump administration to counter China's expansion of its global reach through infrastructure projects, such as the mega-port in Chancay, Peru, inaugurated just last month. On Monday, the U.S. agency celebrated its five-year milestone by vowing to advance U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests through projects around the world such as the one in Angola.
The Telegraph
China plots spending spree to battle economic slowdown
China is planning a spending spree aimed at boosting its ailing economy after a meeting of its ruling body signalled it would adopt a more “relaxed” approach to interest rates.

Latest stories