Special counsel seeks dismissal of federal cases against Trump

Special counsel Jack Smith filed motions on Monday to drop all federal charges against President-elect Donald Trump related to mishandling classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the New York Times reported.

In a court filing, Smith argued the Constitution mandates dismissal before Trump’s inauguration due to presidential immunity. 

District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted the dismissal of the Jan. 6-related indictment, ending the case.

Trump was indicted in June 2023 on 37 felony counts related to classified documents, but a Florida judge dismissed the case. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and threatened to fire Smith if re-elected.

However, prosecutors are continuing the case against two of Trump’s employees—Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira—over their role in obstructing the investigation into classified documents.

State-level charges, including one in Georgia, remain ongoing. Trump is also facing a conviction in New York over hush money payments related to the 2016 election.