Special counsel Jack Smith sought to pause proceedings in the criminal election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump.
Smith cited the “unprecedented circumstance” that developed when Trump won Tuesday’s presidential election when he asked a judge to stop the proceedings, CNBC reported.
This move is a possible signal at the expected end of the prosecution.
Smith said vacating the schedule of pretrial motion deadlines would enable the prosecution “time to assess this unprecedented circumstance” plus “determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”
“By December 2, 2024, the Government will file a status report or otherwise inform the Court of the result of its deliberations,” Smith wrote in a filing in federal court in Washington, D.C.
The filing added there was no objection to the pause by Trump’s attorneys.
Smith’s request was granted by Judge Tanya Chutkan, per MSNBC.
Trump is charged with crimes related to his involvent to overturn the 2020 election when he lost to President Joe Biden.
Now, his win against Vice President Kamala Harris will likely bring the case to an end.
Trump said he plans to fire Smith, and is expected to force the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to end the prosecutions
DOJ policy bars the department from prosecuting a president while said president is in office.
