November 25, 2024

Jack Smith moves to dismiss the January 6th case against Trump.

The NYT reports:
The request by Mr. Smith was his final acknowledgment that after two years of courtroom drama, prosecutors will not be able to hold Mr. Trump accountable for his efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election as he prepares to re-enter the White House.

The department’s policy that sitting presidents may not be prosecuted “is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government’s proof or the merits of the prosecution, which the government stands fully behind,” Mr. Smith wrote. “Based on the department’s interpretation of the Constitution, the government moves for dismissal without prejudice of the superseding indictment.”

90 comments:

Ice Nine said...

Don't go away mad, Jack - just go away.

No, wait, mad's good...real good.

David53 said...

Well, well, well...

RideSpaceMountain said...

"dismissal without prejudice"

Oh now isn't that cute...unacceptable.

tim maguire said...

Mr. Smith’s filing held out the possibility that the charges could be refiled

Double jeopardy and the statute of limitations he'll ignore, but a "policy"? Well, that's a whole other animal.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

I take it that “without prejudice” would mean Trump could still be prosecuted on the indictment if and when he leaves office.

David53 said...

Why would he let literally Hitler off the hook?

Peachy said...

The show is over... for now. Corrupt Soviet Democrats will remain so.

Now - The real lawsuit needs to be filed against Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, Adam Schitt, Hillary Clinton and their various props for the Russia Russia Collusion lies.

Original Mike said...

I wish there was a way Smith and Garland could face consequences for their banana republic lawfare, but I don't imagine that's possible.

Aggie said...

Can the Defense file for a 'Dismissal, With Prejudice' finding?

Eva Marie said...

They spent 50 million dollars. Trump goes free and a lot of lawyers made a shit load of money. Win Win

tim maguire said...

In a civil case, they can file their own motion to dismiss or they can oppose and demand the trial continue. I'm less certain in a criminal case (why would a criminal defendant oppose a dismissal?), though I can't think of a rights-based reason why not.

Ann Althouse said...

"I take it that “without prejudice” would mean Trump could still be prosecuted on the indictment if and when he leaves office."

Yes. The article says that explicitly.

Rabel said...

The followup on this will be a test for Bondi.

Skeptical Voter said...

Smith gives up on trying to turn used horse stall straw into political gold. Since his dismissal is "without prejudice" this doofus may try again. Smith blows federal taxpayer dollars--but by Gum he made Trump pay a lot of legal fees!

PB said...

Lets just ignore all the improper and illegal actions by Smith, the illegally installed special prosecutor.

Quayle said...
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Quayle said...
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Rusty said...

Wanna bet money that we never hear anymore about this in 2028 or after?

Leland said...

How dare Trump undo the 2020 election by running in 2024.

cfs said...

50 millions dollars spent on this ridiculous prosecution. The goal was to make sure Trump would not be elected again and they failed. Spectacularly!

It's my hope that Trump pardons every Jan 6th defendant. Given the prosecution's violations of their Constitutional rights, even those that got out of hand and actually deserved some charges should be pardoned. And every judge and prosecutor who participated in the travesty should be indicted for their crimes in addition to being disbarred.

The media, the law professors, the experts had promised their voters that Trump was going to prison. The walls were closing in as one b*mbshell after another was added to their fake narrative.

Coming after the loss on November 5th, I don't know if leftist women can handle this announcement. D.C. psychiatrists are about to have another long week. There may actually be suicides due to this announcement and I certainly expect to hear of another murder due to some mental nut-case not being to able to believe the news.

Corporate media needs to be totally destroyed after their actions over the past few years. They promised! They lied. Repeatedly. Corporate media should never again be trusted even with the most insignificant piece of news.

Jupiter said...

Smith was illegally appointed, and any government funds he spent were spent illegally. He -- or perhaps Merrick Garland, who appears to have given him some bad legal advice -- should repay any such amounts immediately. With interest.

gspencer said...

Should be WITH prejudice.

Leland said...

I hope the next DoJ requests accountability for the $50 million spent to have a case tossed out by the prosecution that spent the money.

Rabel said...

Judge Chutkan still has a say, but I expect her to go along. Like Smith she will make it clear that the defendant may be free as a bird but is guilty as Hell.

Leland said...

Biden starting the season of pardons.

Peachy said...

The reason the corrupt left whined ceaselessly during the campaign - they knew if Trump and his team - or anyone - looks into the Jan 6th committee - created by Pelosi and headed by Liz Cheney - ALL SORTS OF LIES would be uncovered.
My advise - do NOT move on. The American people deserve the truth.

Ryan said...

Yes

planetgeo said...

The entire fraudulent premise of this case needs to be fully exposed and destroyed, and the conspiratorial instigators need to also be fully exposed and charged where appropriate. The Republican-controlled Congress now has the authority to follow up in detail with investigations of the concocted evidence of the Pelosi-Cheney setup investigation.

If they do, Jack Smith and a whole lot of other people will rue the day they ever attempted this coup and persecution. Justice demands real closure here.

Peachy said...

Agree! So many lies and deceptions were sold to the America people. Enough is enough.

Rabel said...

Trump will appoint a new head of the Office of Legal council. Last time that happened shortly after his inauguration. The Senate took until November to approve the appointment.

Lloyd W. Robertson said...

Two people I respect suggested at one point that the Florida documents case was not bullshit. Coulter said: everyone has to answer a subpoena. She is remembering the impeachment campaign against Billy C, of which she was a part. Bullshit. Never should have happened. Lots of people ignore subpoenas. Andy C. McCarthy said: documents that belong to "agencies" cannot be lawfully taken "home" by the President. Surely Trump was only moving documents that had been presented to him for briefings and so on. He didn't scour agency offices for papers. He had the sole authority to de-classify documents up to his last minute in office. Given the precedent of Billy C's video about his presidency, this means if while still President, a person points at a bunch of boxes of papers and says: that all goes back with me; anything in there that says "classified" just got de-classified. Rifling through all the family quarters at MaL was a disgrace--an attempt to reinforce the message that Trump was some sort of buccaneer or con artist who never should have been President.

The more you look at unedited videos from J6, the less it looks like a violent insurrection, an attempt to force Biden out of office, or an attempt to overthrow the Constitution. The mob had left their guns on the Virginia side of the line, or at home; any weapons used were randomly picked up at or near the scene. The ex-Marine who is in prison for assault walked in with a flag on a flagpole, and ended up hitting a police officer with the flagpole. This is a serious crime at any time. The behavior of most of the protesters or rioters was in stark contrast to this.

Even if some of the rioters had something serious in mind, it doesn't follow that Trump encouraged them to do it. No evidence of that. Kaus says that Trump trying to stop Pence from certifying the result was impeachable. Not a matter of criminal law. No justification for applying language about ex-Confederates in the 1860s.

rhhardin said...

The best Trump admin recourse is a RICO charge, if it can find unshredded documents.

MadisonMan said...

I'm waiting for the head explosions that happen when the 34 felony convictions are vacated.

Original Mike said...

These bastards just never stop.
So, Trump pardons himself.
Suck on it.

William said...

But wait, Trump is NOT a sitting president.

RCOCEAN II said...

Tump needs to make sure this never happens again. Please Trump, don't listen to Dummies who think "This will never happen again" or "The dems have learned their lesson, lets forgive and forget".

No, they haven't learned their lesson. And they will prosecute Trump after he leaves office. I'd suggest a pardon for himself for everything prior to Jan 21, 2025. Let the SCOTUS strike it down, if they wish. Next, think of how to make his 2nd term unindictable.

Make it make mistake, its up the R's to protect themselves against lawfare by any means neccessary. The left never forgives and they never forget.

rhhardin said...

Biden has pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, named Peaches and Hunter.

RCOCEAN II said...

Plus, the DOJ needs to investigate Smith. His appointment was flakey and his conduct outrageous. Hopefully, hasn't picked another Bill Barr for AG. Barr appointed a goofball to investigate Russiagate with the mission of not ruffling any feathers of those INSIDE the Federal Government. The next AG needs to do better.

Dixcus said...

He's not going anywhere. He filed this motion "without predjudice" meaning he can come back in 4 years and hound Donald Trump into his grave.

Unless of course, Donald Trump was to declare that Jack Smith is a clear and present danger to the security of the United States of America.

And kill him.

Like Obama did.

Dixcus said...

They have extra-judicial plans for Donald J. Trump. He will never be President of the United States again.

John said...

Dixus -- These are the type of comments that make me believe you are actually an FBI plant trying to get someone arrested.

John said...

... by winning in 2024.

wsw said...

Now make a DOJE

Rick67 said...
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RideSpaceMountain said...

Department of Judicial Exile. They should start packing their bags immediately. Now that's efficient!

Lilly, a dog said...

"tHerE GoES OUr dEMoCRacY!"

AlbertAnonymous said...

Every time in the last 4 years when I had to listen to (or consider actions of) AG Merrick Garland, I found myself repeating over and over again like a mantra “we sure dodged a bullet there on his nomination by Obama to the Supreme Court”. Middle of the road, moderate my ass. Total tool.

Lexington Green said...

It is without prejudice. Can DOJ refile when Trump leaves office?

narciso said...

Our long national nightmare is over

planetgeo said...

Ray Epps...is that you...?

Bruce Hayden said...

Statute of limitations will likely have run out by then. At least some of the charges have, I believe, a 5 year statute of limitations. T

Bruce Hayden said...

No Double Jeopardy, since jeopardy doesn’t typically attach until the jury is sworn in.

Original Mike said...

"Statute of limitations will likely have run out by then."

Wasn't the statute of limitations passed on one of the NewYork cases they prosecuted anyways?

Bruce Hayden said...

My preference is deprivation of a civil right under color of law. Pretty much LawFare practiced by Democrats violates Due Process, an enumerated civil right under the 5th and 14th Amdts.

rehajm said...

Can't we prosecute him for something? Impersonating a government official? Theft of government funds?

Rocco said...

rhhardin said…
The best Trump admin recourse is a RICO charge, if it can find unshredded documents.

Don’t forget mail/file servers unwiped.

boatbuilder said...

Jack Smith illegally prosecuted Trump. He should be prosecuted for doing so. No man is above the law, Jack.

Bruce Hayden said...

Due Process is violated because defendants were not on notice of their extreme interpretation of criminal statutes. Left wing prosecutors depend on getting their LawFare by Dem judges, despite knowing it won’t with the Supreme Court, but it will take years to get there.

J Scott said...

This whole farce, just cutting a road here to get the devil. They never should have brought this forward. Instead they created this situation, creating a President, who has these king like powers, by attempting to pervert the law to take down a man. And now these people leave this mess behind. This is how republics fall.

Breezy said...

I would’ve preferred a dismissal with prejudice, a sincere apology to the Trump family and the nation, reimbursement of all of Trump’s legal fees, and a full-throated groveling for forgiveness.

Mr. T. said...

Someone send Inga a pair of dentures for all the teeth gnashing.

mongo said...

So Smith is filing for dismissal without prejudice meaning DOJ can refile at a later date. Can the judge overrule the request and make the dismissal "with prejudice?"

Just an old country lawyer said...

Get as many of the lawfare perpetrators disbarred as you can.

boatbuilder said...

I'm kind of worried about Inga.

Well, OK, maybe not.

Mark said...

without prejudice

Mark said...

Trump can fight the "without prejudice," but doing so opens up the door to Smith essentially litigating the merits of the charges, i.e. putting Trump on trial.

J Scott said...

Between now and when he gets fired for real? I think Trump should fight to get this into court imo, to clear his name completely. Ending the prosecution like this leaves too much of a legal mess. Smith was never appointed legally. The armed Mar-a-Lago raid was a massive overreach by the Democrats and needs to be repudiated legally and politically.

Leland said...

Thanks for the assist

RideSpaceMountain said...

"I think Trump should fight to get this into court imo, to clear his name completely. Ending the prosecution like this leaves too much of a legal mess."

Most attorneys would say you should jump at the chance for a dismissal of any kind. This is not one of those cases. Trump is not an ordinary defendant. His prosecution was prejudicial and political. In his particular case he should absolutely fight for dismissal with prejudice.

Not only was there prejudice, it prima facie unethical.

Jim at said...

but doing so opens up the door to Smith essentially litigating the merits of the charges, i.e. putting Trump on trial.

Go for it. See what it gets ya.

Lawnerd said...

Any lawyer worth their salt would have filed the motion without prejudice. But that doesn’t mean Smith will pursue this when Trump is out of office. Once Trump is out of office and ineligible for the Presidency, Smith won’t give a fuck about the case because it will have lost its political value. I love that the fucking lawfare waged against Trump backfired and likely helped Trump get reelected.

walter said...

Worst insurrection ever.
More shots fired at Trump's head.

Mikey NTH said...

The Devil now turns on Roper. How will he stand In the wind that will soon blow.

Iman said...

Adios Subway Jack. Probably fleeing the country sooner than later.

Iman said...

Double Secret Probation then!

Michael Fitzgerald said...

Turn the tables, investigate, indict, arrest, prosecute, and punish all involved in the anti-American anti-Trump conspiracies, including demented tramp E Jean Carroll.

Butkus51 said...

All they had to do was govern even halfway competently.

But no, they had priorities.

How has that worked out?

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

"...prosecutors will not be able to hold Mr. Trump accountable for his (alleged) efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election (without evidence) as he prepares to re-enter the White House."

Fixed.

Greg The Class Traitor said...

The goals were:
1: Get GOP Voters to pick Trump
2: Cause Trump to lose

As with 2016, the idiots were 1 for 2

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

Ballot Box beats Bullet and Lawfare.

DINKY DAU 45 said...

No brainer and see through. Trump goes out with one last bang,pardoning himself,making the court and all spend the rest of his life trying to sort it out. DELAY DELAY DELAY the absolute MO of the convicted felon, he wil also get that resolved through his SCOTUS! EASY PEASY!

Iman said...

Indeed!!!

traditionalguy said...

It’s gotten to the point that the NYT guys are sickening as they repeatedly croak like frogs that our President tried to overturn an election. They know the truth and eternally refuse to report it.

DJT filed lawsuits to stop the steal…all of which all courts refused to hear.

Meanwhile Pelosi, the FBI and the CIA created a Hollywood movie with paid extras to stampede a small part of the peaceful protesters into entering the Capital at the invitation of the police. ALL PROPAGANDA. JUST LIKE THE Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping. Charade.

Why is that idiocy in business??

Clyde said...

56 days until Jack Smith is unemployed. Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye!

Iman said...

“I love that the fucking lawfare waged against Trump backfired and likely helped Trump get reelected.”

That’s what helps make this so very special. The grenade was chucked back in the rathole. How sweet it is!

rhhardin said...

The plan to keep Trump from office by non-political means failed and is unwise to continue at this point.

wild chicken said...

tHerE GoES OUr dEMoCRacY!"

Redditors are beside themselves lol. Though most the hate is for Merrick Garland.

The Godfather said...

Let's see if I understand this. The Democrats appointed a special prosecutor to prevent Trump from running for President in 2024. The prosecutor failed and the Democrats failed, and Trump was elected in 2024. Now can we all agree that NOBODY cares about what a special prosecutor says bout Trump after he leaves the Presidency in 2029?

Just an old country lawyer said...

Judge Chutkan promptly granted the motion and dismissed the case without prejudice.

Leland said...

Have prosecutors identified the people who brought the gallows on Jan 6th? We know who wore the funny hat. We heard about various grandmas tossed into the clink for just being there. But who were those involved in the most premeditated (because people don’t just conceal and carry gallows) act on Jan. 6th? Why aren’t they the face of that day?