Attempted election fraud: Proceedings against Donald Trump to be dropped

Washington (USA) - The US Attorney's Office has requested that the criminal proceedings for attempted election fraud against US President-elect Donald Trump (78) be dropped.

Special investigator Jack Smith (55) works for the US Department of Justice and requested that the proceedings against Donald Trump be dropped.
Special investigator Jack Smith (55) works for the US Department of Justice and requested that the proceedings against Donald Trump be dropped.  © Jacquelyn Martin/AP/dpa

The special investigator Jack Smith (55) justified the decision with the custom that the Department of Justice does not take action against sitting presidents.

"The government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed. But the circumstances have changed," the letter of request states.

This is because Trump is moving back into the White House in January - he won the presidential election in early November against Democrat Kamala Harris (60).

The public prosecutor's office emphasizes that the decision has no substantive reasons. However, it is leaving open the possibility of bringing charges again as soon as the Republican is no longer president.

Donald Trump described investigations as a "witch hunt"

Donald Trump (78) has a good laugh: The proceedings pending against him for attempted electoral fraud are to be dropped.
Donald Trump (78) has a good laugh: The proceedings pending against him for attempted electoral fraud are to be dropped.  © Alex Brandon/AP/dpa

Trump was indicted in Washington on federal charges in connection with attempted voter fraud and the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

These were the most serious charges against the 78-year-old. If convicted, he would have faced decades in prison.

Trump has always described the investigations against him as political persecution and spoke of a "witch hunt". Experts also believe it is possible that Trump could pardon himself once he is in office.

The 78-year-old was criminally charged several times after his first term in office. In addition to the proceedings in Washington, hewas also investigated in the US state of Florida as well as in New York and Georgia.