As of November 2024, Donald Trump is involved in several legal battles, both criminal and civil, which have seen significant developments following his election victory.
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Criminal Cases
January 6 Capitol Riot Case:
Special Counsel Jack Smith had filed charges against Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. However, these charges have been dismissed by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, citing the Justice Department's policy against prosecuting a sitting president. This decision marks a significant legal victory for Trump.
Classified Documents Case:
Trump was also facing charges related to the mishandling of classified documents after leaving office. The case was dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled that Smith's appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional. This dismissal is currently under appeal, but the case is likely to be dropped once Trump takes office.
Trump has indicated plans to expand the federal death penalty to include child rapists, migrants who kill U.S. citizens, and those convicted of drug and human trafficking. This move is expected to face significant legal challenges from anti-death penalty groups and criminal justice reform advocates.
Summary
Trump's election victory has led to the dismissal of several federal criminal cases against him due to the Justice Department's policy on prosecuting sitting presidents. However, he still faces ongoing civil lawsuits and potential new legal actions under his administration, particularly regarding the expansion of the federal death penalty.