This decision by the judge in Donald Trump's trial for illegal attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election augurs a likely suspension of the proceedings.
Published on 08/11/2024 22:02
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The judge in the trial of Donald Trump for illegal attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election canceled, Friday, November 8, all deadlines on the calendar of this case after a request from the special prosecutor, auguring a probable suspension of the procedure.
Recalling that the president-elect must be inaugurated on January 20, special prosecutor Jack Smith motivated his request by the need to give the prosecution “the time to analyze this unprecedented situation and determine the course of action to follow in accordance with the policy of the Ministry of Justice”.
He specified that he will present “the result of its deliberations” by December 2. The special prosecutor and the Department of Justice began discussions on Wednesday with a view to stopping the federal prosecution against Donald Trump initiated by Jack Smith, several American media reported. Asked by AFP, the ministry declined to comment.
The department has had a policy of not prosecuting a sitting president for more than 50 years. The situation of a presidential candidate being criminally prosecuted and then elected is unprecedented, but most legal commentators expect an extension of this policy to the case of Donald Trump, which would allow him to escape federal prosecution until the end of his new mandate.