Special Counsel Jack Smith moves to vacate pretrial deadlines as DOJ weighs next steps after Trump’s Election Day victory.
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday granted Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request to pause proceedings in former President Donald Trump’s federal Jan. 6 case.
The decision halts upcoming pretrial deadlines, allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) time to consider next steps after Trump’s recent electoral win.
Smith’s motion filed on Friday highlighted the unprecedented situation, noting, “as a result of the election,” the DOJ seeks to vacate remaining deadlines to “assess this unprecedented circumstance.”
Judge Chutkan agreed, instructing the prosecution to submit a status report on December 2 with its proposed course of action.
The request marks a pivotal step, likely steering toward a halt in prosecution, given the DOJ’s longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
Trump’s victory, making him the first convicted felon elected to the White House, has prompted DOJ officials to deliberate on how best to close Smith’s two federal cases against him.
Had Trump lost the race against Vice President Harris, the former president could have faced potential prison time.
However, this Election Day win likely shields him from criminal consequences while in office.
