NEW YORK: A US federal judge has dismissed all charges against President-elect Donald Trump in cases linked to the mishandling of classified documents and alleged interference in the 2020 election.
The move follows motions filed by special counsel Jack Smith to end the federal prosecution, citing constitutional grounds.
The dismissal brings an official close to high-profile cases that accused Trump of conspiring to overturn his loss to Joe Biden and mishandling sensitive government records. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday granted the special counsel’s request to dismiss the indictment related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, marking the culmination of a controversial chapter in U.S. legal and political history.
In a statement accompanying the filing, Smith noted that the Constitution prohibits indicting a sitting president, arguing the cases should be dismissed ahead of Trump’s inauguration. “The Department’s position is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” Smith wrote.
Judge Chutkan dismissed the case “without prejudice,” leaving open the possibility of revisiting charges after Trump leaves office.
The decision aligns with a Justice Department policy barring the indictment of a sitting president to avoid interference with executive functions. The U.S. Supreme Court had also affirmed presidential immunity in a ruling over the summer, significantly weakening the cases against Trump.
Overview of charges
Trump faced two major federal indictments over the past year:
- Classified Documents Case: In June 2023, Trump was charged with 37 felony counts related to taking classified documents from the White House to his Florida residence. Allegations included willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice. A Florida judge had earlier dismissed the case due to 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 conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. These charges stemmed from Trump’s efforts to reverse the election outcome, culminating in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The special counsel’s motions also sought to dismiss the classified documents case, which faced similar legal challenges.
While Trump’s cases have been dropped, the Justice Department confirmed proceedings would continue against his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, in the classified documents matter. “No principle of temporary immunity applies to them,” Smith clarified in his filing.
Trump’s response
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, hailed the decision as a victory. “This ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump and is a major triumph for the rule of law,” he said in a statement.
Trump, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, described the investigations as politically motivated attacks.
The dismissal comes as Trump prepares to assume office amidst a deeply polarized political climate. His legal battles, though paused, remain a contentious issue for his critics and supporters alike.
