Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a motion on Friday to vacate all deadlines in the 2020 election interference case against President-elect Trump in Washington, D.C. This move, while expected, does not completely drop the case against him. The decision aligns with the Department of Justice's policy against bringing criminal charges against a sitting president.
Although the case has not been officially dismissed, it seems to be heading in that direction. Smith announced that an updated report on the case's status against Trump will be provided on December 2.
Trump, who had threatened to fire Smith if re-elected, likely finds this news a relief. Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to investigate alleged attempts by Trump and his associates to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as Trump's handling of classified documents post-presidency.
Recent reports indicated that the Department of Justice was looking to conclude its criminal cases against Trump in Washington, D.C., and Florida. This decision was based on an Office of Legal Counsel memo citing the policy against investigating a sitting president for federal criminal charges.
Smith had previously indicted Trump in D.C. for actions related to the 2020 election outcome and also brought federal charges against him in Florida for mishandling classified documents.
Former Attorney General Bill Barr recommended that Smith cease the federal cases in both locations, emphasizing the need to move past the spectacle of prosecuting the president-elect.
While Trump still faces state cases in Georgia and New York, Barr urged local prosecutors and judges to focus on more pressing matters. He stated that prolonging these cases would only serve as a distraction.
Next week, the presiding judge in the New York case will announce whether felony conviction proceedings against Trump will proceed before he assumes office or if claims of presidential immunity, as outlined by the Supreme Court, will apply.
