Special Counsel Files Motion to Drop All of Donald Trump’s Federal Charges

November 25, 2024

Source: General / Getty

On Monday (Nov. 25), Special counsel Jack Smith asked a Judge Tanya Chutkan to drop all federal charges against President-elect Donald Trump in relation to Trump’s ploy to overturn his 2020 presidential election in the lead-up to the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S Capitol.

Smith is also seeking to drop his appeal in his classified records case against Trump. Over the summer, that case was shot down by federal Judge Aileen Cannon who ruled Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel.

Trump was first indicted in 2023 on 37 felony counts related to mishandling classified documents. Later that same year, he was also indicted on four felonies for his attempt to reverse the 2020 election results.

“That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” Smith’s office wrote in Monday’s filing.

“The Government’s position on the merits of the defendant’s prosecution has not changed. But the circumstances have,” he added.

On May 30th, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan, making him the first president in US history to become a convicted felon.

The 34 counts stemmed from a series of invoices, vouchers and checks that made up reimbursement payments to Michael Cohen, who fronted $130,000 in hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election.

The jury reached its verdict after 9 and a half hours of deliberations. Judge Juan Merchan addressed the jury shortly after the verdict was read. “You gave this matter the attention it deserved, and I want to thank you for that.”

Trump, was defiant in his remarks following the verdict. Calling the trial a “disgrace” and a “rigged trial,” still maintains his innocence.