The US Department of Justice has taken action to drop the 2020 election obstruction case against Donald Trump, asking the judge to dismiss a special federal lawsuit against the former president, but his re-election would exempt him from charges. Prosecutors under Special Prosecutor Jack Smith filed this request in court on Monday. Smith previously accused Trump of unlawfully conspiring to interfere with congressional certification that he lost the election four years ago. The Justice Department's policy prohibits the prosecution of incumbent presidents, forcing Smith to drop the case. Trump, who denies wrongdoing, has said that if he wins the election, he will fire Smith and order the Justice Department to end the special prosecutor's job.

The US Department of Justice has taken action to drop the 2020 election obstruction case against Donald Trump, asking the judge to dismiss a special federal lawsuit against the former president, but his re-election would exempt him from charges. Prosecutors under Special Prosecutor Jack Smith filed this request in court on Monday. Smith previously accused Trump of unlawfully conspiring to interfere with congressional certification that he lost the election four years ago. The Justice Department's policy prohibits the prosecution of incumbent presidents, forcing Smith to drop the case. Trump, who denies wrongdoing, has said that if he wins the election, he will fire Smith and order the Justice Department to end the special prosecutor's job.