In a pivotal development, US Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s request to pause the federal election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump, marking the first sign of potential legal shifts in high-profile cases against him.
On Friday, Smith submitted a one-page motion to the Washington federal court, citing “unprecedented circumstances” surrounding Trump’s upcoming certification as president on January 6 and inauguration on January 21. Smith’s motion requested that all deadlines be halted, allowing time to reassess the case and determine how the Justice Department should proceed, with a report expected on December 2. By long-standing tradition, the Justice Department refrains from prosecuting sitting presidents.
Simultaneously, Trump faces a separate legal battle in New York, where a local judge has scheduled his sentencing for November 26 following his conviction on charges related to financial misconduct. The New York case, led by an elected Democratic prosecutor, involves allegations that Trump manipulated business records to obscure payments made to a woman who claimed a previous affair with him. While the Justice Department’s restraint on prosecuting sitting presidents does not apply in local cases, the New York case still presents constitutional challenges if sentencing involves prison time.
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The legal landscape surrounding Trump is further complicated by an ongoing federal case in Florida, where Trump is accused of mishandling classified documents after leaving office. Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, recently dismissed the case, stating that Smith’s appointment as special counsel lacked legal grounding. Smith has appealed the decision, but further steps in the case remain uncertain.
Notably, President Joe Biden faced a similar inquiry over classified documents retained from his vice-presidency, though the appointed special counsel decided against charges, citing Biden’s age and memory lapses. The investigation set off a political shift within the Democratic Party, ultimately leading Biden to step out of the 2024 presidential race.
Meanwhile, Trump also faces a state-level indictment in Georgia, alleging election interference related to his 2020 request for officials to “find 11,780 votes” needed to shift the state’s results. The case has been mired in controversy, as the prosecutor is accused of hiring an inexperienced lawyer who was also her boyfriend.
In the federal election interference case, Trump is accused of attempting to undermine the 2020 election results by promoting unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, which prosecutors argue fueled the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. With the case now paused, the Justice Department will determine next steps, as the legal battles surrounding Trump continue to unfold on multiple fronts.
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