Overview

• Donald Trump's election victory halts federal criminal cases against him, as sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted under DOJ policy.
• Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to wind down federal investigations before Trump takes office, following long-standing precedent.
• Civil cases, including defamation and financial fraud lawsuits, will proceed despite Trump's return to the White House.
• Trump faces a sentencing hearing on November 26 for his New York hush money conviction, with state charges in Georgia also pending.
• Legal analysts predict Trump may attempt to remove Special Counsel Smith or pardon himself, though the latter remains legally untested.