US special counsel seeks pause in Trump classified documents case
Al Jazeera
Outgoing prosecutor Jack Smith says he needs time to consider next steps in light of President-elect Trump’s victory.
Federal prosecutors have asked an appeals court to pause their bid to revive the criminal case against the United States President-elect Donald Trump, who was accused of mishandling classified documents after his first term as president ended.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, 55, made the request on Wednesday in the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, asking for time to assess the impact of Trump’s pending return to the White House.
“The government respectfully requests the court hold this appeal in abeyance and stay the deadline for the government’s reply brief,” he wrote.
He added the requested pause will “afford the government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy”.
The move has underscored fears that Trump is set to emerge all but unscathed from the two cases filed against him in federal court.
