What were Trump’s criminal cases were about?published at 14:55 GMT
14:55 GMT
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith led two criminal investigations into Trump.
Classified documents
Smith investigated Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left his first term in office, for which Trump was ultimately charged on 37 counts. Trump was accused of keeping files, including documents detailing US nuclear secrets and military plans, at his Florida estate. Some were photographed by investigators in ballroom and in a shower.
Prosecutors say Trump tried to obstruct the FBI inquiry into the missing documents.
The case against Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, was later dropped.
2020 election results
Smith investigated Trump for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Capping off an inquiry into the events surrounding the 6 January 2021 riot at the US Capitol, Trump was charged on four counts – including conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.
Smith did not charge Trump with inciting the 6 January mob, instead focusing on Trump’s actions in the two-month period between his loss to Joe Biden and the riot in Washington DC.
Cases dropped
Smith said in court filings that he requested the cases to be dismissed because the justice department is banned from prosecuting a sitting president, and not because of anything having to do with the substance of the cases.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that a former president could not be prosecuted for “official acts” taken while in office, and Trump went on to win the election a few months later.