WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith has asked the judge in Donald Trump’s election meddling trial to pause the proceedings and give him a month to formally request how to move forward — likely the first step. to stop the pursuit.
In Friday’s filing, Smith said that “as a result of the election,” the prosecution “respectfully requests that the Court vacate the remainder of the pretrial schedule to allow the Government time to assess this unprecedented situation.”
The Justice Department has a longstanding policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. The DOJ began evaluating how to end the cases against Trump after he won the election. sources told NBC News this week.
Trump was indicted in the case in August 2023, but significant delays prevented him from going to trial. Trump has denied all wrongdoing.
Trump has been impeached in connection with his attempt to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election and has been accused of fraud and attempting to disenfranchise American voters. Separately, he was charged with mishandling classified documents in the Florida case he was eventually fired over Smith’s objections to special prosecutor status.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.