Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a pause in the criminal trial of Donald Trump, related to alleged election interference. Smith has asked the presiding judge to halt the process for a month to allow him to assess how to proceed, a move that is likely the first step towards ending the prosecution. The request was made in a filing on Friday (November 8), with Smith citing the recent election as the reason for the pause.
"The Government respectfully requests that the Court vacate the remaining deadlines in the pretrial schedule to afford the Government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy," prosecutors wrote in a one-page filing.
The Justice Department has a longstanding policy against prosecuting sitting presidents and has begun assessing how to end the cases against Trump following his election win.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan approved Smith's request shortly after receiving it.
"All remaining deadlines in the pretrial schedule are VACATED. By December 2, 2024, the Government shall file a status report indicating its proposed course for this case going forward," she wrote in response to Smith's filing.
Trump was indicted in August 2023 in connection with efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. He was accused of fraud and attempting to disenfranchise American voters. However, significant delays have prevented the case from going to trial. Trump has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Forbes reports that Smith is expected to write a final report about his investigations into Trump before ending his work as special counsel. This report is expected to be made public if completed during the Biden administration. However, it would likely remain private if submitted to a future Trump-appointed attorney general.