Special Counsel Jack Smith moves to drop January 6th and classified documents cases against Presidentelect Trump
Nov 25, 2024
WASHINGTON (ABC NEWS) – ABC News has learned that Special Counsel Jack Smith is officially moving to dismiss the January 6th election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump. Additionally, Smith is expected to drop the classified documents case, with an announcement potentially coming as early as today.
Smith had charged Trump last year, accusing him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and illegally storing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. However, the Department of Justice had signaled that it would not prosecute a sitting president. In light of Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Smith has indicated plans to step down as special counsel before Trump takes office in January. Trump, during the campaign, vowed to fire Smith and his team upon returning to the White House.
A statement from Trump’s team, issued by spokesperson Steven Cheung, celebrated the decision:
“The American People re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again. Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.”
The cases were among the most high-profile federal charges against a former U.S. president, with significant political and legal implications. Trump’s legal team and supporters had long described the cases as politically motivated. With the DOJ now stepping back, the focus shifts to Trump’s upcoming inauguration and the policies of his new administration.
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Tags: Charges, classified documents, Court, dropped, Federal, Jack Smith, jan. 6, national news, News, trump