The judge grants Jack Smith’s request to pause Trump’s election interference case

Donald Trump‘S case of federal election interference will not move forward for the time being, after Judge Tanya Chutkan granted special counsel Jack Smith’s motion to vacate the outstanding deadlines in the case due to the “unprecedented circumstance” of Trump’s election victory.

In one submit On Friday, Smith pointed out that Trump, the defendant, will be certified as president-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20. In light of the impending change in Trump’s status, Smith asked Chutkan to pause. all remaining trial deadlines to allow his office “time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course of action moving forward, consistent with Department of Justice policy.” Smith said his office would notify the court of the conclusion by Dec. 2.

The Justice Department has long had a policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.

Trump’s defense team did not object to the request and Chutkan granted the motion shortly afterwards.

Smith’s request comes just two days after Trump was projected as the winner of the 2024 election, and amid reports that the Justice Department is investigating to conclude the two federal criminal cases against the president-elect. Like my MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin notedIt is unlikely that the federal cases against Trump will move forward as he is set to return to the White House, nor is it likely that proceedings in his state cases in New York and Georgia will continue while he is in function is. Trump has denied wrongdoing in all his criminal cases.

Smith was a top target for Trump because of his leading role in the prosecution in the president-elect’s two federal cases. Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to punish his rivals if he returns to the White House, said just days before the election that he would fire Smith “within two seconds” if he becomes president again. And some members of Trump’s inner circle, including technology billionaire Elon Musk And attorney Mike Davishave called for Smith to be prosecuted.