---
title: "Justice Department Formally Moves to Drop Trump 2020 Obstruction Case in DC"
description: "The US Justice Department has moved to drop the 2020 election obstruction case against Donald Trump, asking a judge to dismiss the extraordinary federal prosecution of a former president whose reelection ensured he’d be shielded from charges in the White House."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Bloomberg"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/bloomberg/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-25-justice-department-formally-moves-to-drop-trump-2020-obstruction-case-in-dc/"
published: "2024-11-25T20:53:49"
updated: "2024-11-25T20:53:50"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 83
---

# Justice Department Formally Moves to Drop Trump 2020 Obstruction Case in DC

> The US Justice Department has moved to drop the 2020 election obstruction case against Donald Trump, asking a judge to dismiss the extraordinary federal prosecution of a former president whose reelection ensured he’d be shielded from charges in the White House.

By Bloomberg · Published 25 November 2024, 22:53 SAST · Updated 25 November 2024, 22:53 SAST

## Key points
- In a twist befitting a political thriller, Special Counsel Jack Smith finds himself untangling the legal web around Trump’s alleged Capitol capers, all while the former president plots a second act that could involve a dramatic firing of Smith—if he manages to snag another term, of course.
- Special Counsel Jack Smith charges Trump with conspiring to interfere with Congress' electoral certification.
- Justice Department policy prevents prosecution of sitting presidents, complicating the case.
- Trump denies wrongdoing and threatens to fire Smith if re-elected.
- Ongoing developments highlight the contentious intersection of law and politics in the Trump era.

## Content

Prosecutors under Special Counsel Jack Smith, who charged Trump with illegally conspiring to interfere with Congress’ certification of his electoral loss four years ago, made the request in court on Monday.

Justice Department policy bars the prosecution of sitting presidents, forcing Smith’s hand to unnwind the case. Trump, who denied wrongdoing, said he would fire Smith and order the department to close the special counsel’s work if he won a second term.

More stories like this are available on [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com)

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.