In an unexpected move, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Special Counsel Jack Smith have decided to end their cases against President-elect Donald Trump. According to ABC News, the DOJ cited its longstanding policy that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted, a guideline that has now led to the cessation of legal proceedings against the former president.
While many had anticipated that the DOJ and Smith would continue their work up until Trump’s official departure from office, the decision to close these cases before he even takes office has raised eyebrows.
“What’s interesting here is that the DOJ is moving to end these cases even before Trump assumes office, citing the longstanding DOJ policy that sitting presidents can’t be prosecuted,” a senior official said. “There was some thought that maybe Special Counsel Jack Smith would sprint through the finish line, working up until the last day, forcing Trump to fire him or waiting for a new Attorney General to be appointed, but that does not appear to be the thinking inside the department.”
Legal analysts had speculated that Smith’s team might push to conclude investigations before Trump’s term ended, potentially leaving his successor to decide the next steps. However, the department has now determined that these cases cannot proceed.
The decision has raised questions about the future of Trump’s legal challenges, as several other investigations into his actions during his presidency remain ongoing.
While Trump has repeatedly maintained his innocence, the abrupt closure of the DOJ’s cases marks a major shift in the legal landscape surrounding the former president.
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