Trump Legal Cases Shift as DOJ and Courts Navigate Complexities

Special Counsel Jack Smith moves to dismiss federal cases against Trump without prejudice, while state and civil cases remain active and contentious.

Special Counsel Jack Smith filed motions to dismiss federal cases against Donald Trump, citing DOJ policy on presidential immunity, with dismissals granted without prejudice, allowing for potential future prosecution.
Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan postponed sentencing in Trump's hush-money case to allow for motions to dismiss, with a quick briefing schedule set for early December.
Civil cases against Trump, including the E. Jean Carroll defamation judgment and New York Attorney General Letitia James's fraud case, remain active and under appeal, with significant financial implications.
Trump's legal team has not objected to dismissals without prejudice in federal cases, raising questions about potential strategic considerations, including self-pardon possibilities.
Speculation grows over how the incoming Trump administration may handle DOJ personnel and unresolved legal matters, with potential challenges to civil service protections and prosecutorial independence.