A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday dismissed efforts to revive the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegally retaining classified documents after prosecutors decided to withdraw their appeal against the president-elect.
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order, effectively ending both federal cases against Trump as he prepares to return to the White House on January 20.
On Monday, a federal judge dismissed a separate federal case accusing Trump of plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Prosecutors, acting under Special Counsel Jack Smith, submitted the dismissal request, citing a long-standing Justice Department policy that bars prosecuting a sitting president.
Earlier, a federal judge in Florida had struck down the classified documents case, ruling that Smith lacked proper authority as special counsel. On Monday, prosecutors confirmed their decision to continue appealing that ruling only in relation to Trump’s co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.
Both Nauta and De Oliveira, who face charges of obstructing the investigation, pleaded not guilty, as did Trump. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in all cases.
