A U.S. federal judge ruled on Monday to dismiss the criminal case against former President Donald Trump, which accused him of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The decision came after a request from prosecutors, citing a long-standing Department of Justice policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president. The ruling marks a significant legal victory for Trump amid ongoing investigations and criminal charges.
Judge Tanya Chutkan’s decision ended the federal attempt to hold Trump accountable for his actions in trying to cling to power after losing the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot by his supporters.
This ruling follows a request from Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, who has overseen the investigation into Trump’s attempts to disrupt the election outcome. Smith’s request was grounded in the DOJ’s policy, which dates back to the 1970s, that prohibits criminal prosecution of an incumbent president, viewing it as a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Prosecutors noted that this decision was not based on the merit of the case against Trump but rather the constitutional considerations involving a sitting president. They signaled that they might seek to reinstate charges against Trump after his tenure as president.
Trump, who recently won the November 5th elections, faces multiple charges in four separate cases, two of which are federal and two are state-level cases in New York and Georgia. In New York, Trump was found guilty of criminal charges, while the Georgia case, also related to his efforts to reverse the 2020 election, remains ongoing.
In a social media post, Trump criticized the legal cases against him, calling them “a low point in the history of our country.”
Despite the dismissal, the legal landscape remains complicated for Trump. His administration and the actions taken during his presidency continue to face scrutiny, especially following his actions surrounding the election. Legal experts suggest that prosecutors may eventually refile charges after Trump leaves office, especially given the complexity of prosecuting a sitting president.
