Special counsel Jack Smith is in talks with leadership at the Justice Department evaluating ways he can end prosecutions of Donald Trump, sources told ABC News.

Summary

Special Counsel Jack Smith is in discussions with the Justice Department on how to conclude federal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, following DOJ policy that prohibits prosecuting a sitting president.

Trump, previously indicted for election interference and the unlawful retention of classified documents, has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

These prosecutions have been complicated by a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents partial immunity from prosecution.

Additionally, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case, questioning the constitutionality of Smith’s appointment.

      • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        8 hours ago

        I don’t think Speaker Johnson would be any better. Nor whoever gets president pro tem of the Senate, nor Secretary of State Elon Musk or whoever. That’s how far you’d have to go before you got Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, assuming she hasn’t been replaced by then. After that it’s Secretary of Defense, who would probably be impartial regardless of party registration.

        And for any major event, usually at least one or two of the top people are kept in a secure, undisclosed location, to prevent a decapitation strike.