U.S. prosecutors asked a U.S. judge on Monday to drop the criminal case accusing President-elect Donald Trump of seeking to overturn his 2020 election defeat, citing his impending return to the presidency following his successful 2024 campaign.
Prosecutors working with Special Counsel Jack Smith said a longstanding U.S. Justice Department policy holding that sitting presidents should not face criminal prosecution requires the case to be dismissed before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
"This outcome is not based on the merits or strength of the case against the defendant," prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung called the move "a major victory for the rule of law."