Washington DC [US], November 26 (HBTV): A US federal judge overseeing the case that alleged former president Donald Trump illegally sought to overturn the 2020 election has agreed to dismiss the charges following a request from special counsel Jack Smith, local media reported. Smith also informed a US court of appeals that the special prosecutors are withdrawing their challenge against an earlier dismissal of the case regarding the illegal handling and retention of hundreds of classified documents at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.

Trump had pleaded not guilty in both cases. This decision brings an end to the prosecution of the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Trump was charged with conspiring to subvert the 2020 election. He is the President-elect after winning the November 5 US presidential election against Democratic candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris. He will be inaugurated as the country's 47th president on January 20, next year.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith requested the charges be dropped citing Justice Department policy, which states that prosecution against an elected president cannot continue during the presidential term, as reported by Politico.

In the Washington DC case, Trump was accused of pressuring state officials after the 2020 election to alter results that showed Democrat Joe Biden had defeated him and of spreading false claims that Biden's victory was due to massive vote fraud and election irregularities.

Smith first asked US District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on Monday to dismiss the charges against Trump for allegedly attempting to block Joe Biden's 2020 victory, stating that he "stands fully behind" the allegations but that Justice Department guidelines made clear the case could not proceed, according to the Washington Post.

(ANI)