Judge accepts request to dismiss lawsuit filed against President-elect Donald Trump on January 6

Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan granted the government’s request to dismiss the lawsuit filed against President-elect Donald Trump for his alleged role in the events of January 6, 2021.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith filed the motion Monday, requesting that the case be dismissed without prejudice; This means the case could be reopened after Trump leaves office. Judge Chutkan approved the request.

Earlier this year, Trump was indicted on multiple charges related to the January 6, 2021 incident, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official act, obstruction of an official act, and conspiracy against rights.

The case went through several important twists and turns. Initially, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump was entitled to a certain level of immunity for actions he took as president. In response, Smith filed a new indictment in August, arguing that Trump acted as a private citizen, not as president, when he allegedly committed federal crimes. However, Trump’s victory in the recent presidential elections brought with it another legal obstacle. Justice Department policy states that a sitting president cannot be tried in criminal court.

“After careful consideration, the Department has determined that the OLC’s (Office of Legal Counsel)’s previous views regarding the Constitution’s prohibition on federal indictment and prosecution of a sitting president apply to this situation and, as a result, this prosecution should be dismissed before the defendant is prosecuted. Opening done,” Smith wrote in the court filing.

Separately, Smith also filed a petition with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday to dismiss the classified documents case against Trump. That case was on appeal after District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case, agreeing with Trump’s lawyers that Smith had been “illegally” appointed as special counsel.

Smith stated in his latest filing that his office would not file a lawsuit against a sitting president. He also noted that Trump’s legal team had been briefed on the motion and did not object to the dismissals.

“Today’s DOJ decision ends unconstitutional federal lawsuits against President Trump and is a major victory for the rule of law,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement Monday. he said. “The American People and President Trump demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system, and we look forward to uniting our country.”

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