WASHINGTON — The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s case related to interference in the 2020 election has decided to suspend any further court deadlines as prosecutors requested additional time to evaluate “the appropriate course moving forward” following Trump’s recent electoral success.
Special Counsel Jack Smith brought charges against Trump last year for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and unlawfully retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. However, Smith’s team has been analyzing the best way to conclude the two federal cases prior to the inauguration of the president-elect, taking into consideration the long-standing policy of the Justice Department that prevents the prosecution of sitting presidents, according to a source informed about the situation.
Trump’s triumph over Vice President Kamala Harris has prompted the Justice Department to conclude that he may no longer be subject to prosecution under legal guidelines intended to protect presidents from criminal proceedings while in office.
In a court document submitted Friday regarding the election case, Smith’s team indicated that it requires “time to evaluate this unprecedented situation and ascertain the most suitable course of action in alignment with Department of Justice policy.”
Moreover, Smith’s team pledged to update the judge regarding the outcome of their discussions by December 2.