Justice Department Protocols Shield Trump

Special counsel Jack Smith considers halting federal cases against Donald Trump due to Justice Department protocol exempting sitting presidents from prosecution. Trump was charged with election interference and mishandling classified documents. His election win negates potential prosecution under a longstanding legal opinion.

Special counsel Jack Smith is contemplating how to conclude two federal cases against Donald Trump as he prepares to take office, following Justice Department guidelines that protect sitting presidents from being prosecuted, according to a source on Wednesday.

Last year, Smith charged Trump with efforts to reverse the 2020 presidential election results and unlawfully keeping classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. However, Trump's election victory over Kamala Harris exempts him from prosecution under a longstanding Justice Department legal opinion.

The source, familiar with Smith's directives, was not authorized to publicly discuss the situation and spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.

(With inputs from agencies.)