A federal judge has dismissed a major case against Donald Trump that alleged he illegally sought to overturn the 2020 election. Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who brought the criminal case against Trump, had asked to have the charges dropped, citing a Justice Department policy that bans the prosecution of a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the case "without prejudice", meaning the charges could be refiled after Trump finishes his second term.

Did you know?

The idea that a sitting U.S. president cannot be federally prosecuted is rooted in a 1973 memo from the Department of Justice, which states that criminal proceedings against a president would "unduly interfere" with their ability to perform the duties of the office. This controversial doctrine has never been tested in court, meaning no definitive ruling exists on whether it's truly constitutional. It essentially makes the presidency one of the most legally shielded positions in the world - at least while in office.