The judge in charge of Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has decided to cancel all remaining court deadlines. This decision comes as prosecutors evaluate the next steps to take in light of Trump’s presidential victory. Special Counsel Jack Smith had charged Trump with attempting to overturn the election results and illegally keeping classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, with Trump now winning the election, the Justice Department believes he cannot be prosecuted while in office, following department policy.
Trump has criticized the cases against him as politically motivated and has threatened to fire Smith once he takes office. In a recent court filing, Smith’s team requested to cancel upcoming court deadlines to assess the situation and determine the best way forward according to Department of Justice policy. The judge quickly approved the request and ordered prosecutors to submit their proposed course for the case by December 2.
Trump was originally set to go to trial in March in Washington, but his case was put on hold as he claimed immunity from prosecution, which was eventually addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, sending the case back to the lower court to determine which allegations can proceed.
The case involving the classified documents has also faced delays since July when a Trump-appointed judge dismissed it. Smith has appealed this decision, and the case is currently pending in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the efforts to withdraw the documents case against Trump, Smith may continue to challenge the ruling on his appointment’s legality due to the precedent it would set.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the future of Trump’s legal battles remains uncertain. The decision to cancel court deadlines reflects the complexity of the situation and the need for careful consideration moving forward. Stay updated on the latest developments by subscribing to our newsletter for the most recent news delivered directly to your inbox.
