The judge overseeing the Jan. 6 election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump dropped charges yesterday, following a request from Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith similarly moved to dismiss charges against Trump, accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents after leaving office.
In filings (read here), Smith said his view of the case remained unchanged but cited the Justice Department's long-standing legal perspective that federal prosecution of a sitting president is unconstitutional. In the election interference case, prosecutors alleged Trump conspired to interfere with the 2020 election and obstruct the official certification of electoral votes (see previous write-up).
Charges were brought last August, with the trial delayed by a legal challenge in which the Supreme Court ultimately ruled former presidents have some immunity to criminal prosecution for acts in office. Smith subsequently refiled updated charges 10 weeks ahead of the election.
In related news, the president-elect said yesterday evening he would look to impose 25% tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico and additional tariffs on Chinese goods on his first day back in office.
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