The Department of Justice has filed motions to dismiss all federal charges against President-elect Donald Trump, citing constitutional protections for sitting presidents. The cases include the January 6 indictment and the appeal of the classified documents case, which had already been dismissed earlier this year.
Special counsel Jack Smith acknowledged in the filing that the DOJ’s longstanding policy prohibits prosecuting a sitting president, regardless of the severity of the charges. He noted that this unprecedented situation required dismissing ongoing cases before Trump’s inauguration.
State-level cases against Trump have also been put on hold. Manhattan’s falsified business records case has been delayed indefinitely, and hearings in Fulton County’s election interference case have been canceled. These developments further clear the legal path for Trump as he prepares to take office.
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, welcomed the news, calling it a major win for justice and the rule of law. Cheung urged Americans to reject politically motivated prosecutions and to focus on uniting the country under Trump’s leadership.
In his statement, Trump denounced the cases as baseless and described them as part of a political smear campaign. He criticized the financial and institutional resources wasted on these investigations, framing his victory as a triumph over partisan corruption.
The DOJ’s decision to drop these cases underscores the unique challenges of prosecuting a sitting president. As Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, these developments mark a critical turning point in his ongoing legal saga.
