Donald Trump’s return to the White House not only marks a major political comeback but also provides him relief from ongoing legal troubles and hefty court fees. As president, Trump, now 78, can halt federal criminal cases against him and delay state cases until he exits office in four years.
During his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump vowed to quickly replace Jack Smith, the special counsel behind the federal charges against him. Although a president can’t directly fire a special counsel, Trump could appoint a new attorney general who might dismiss the charges or direct the Justice Department to drop them.
Smith, appointed by Merrick Garland, filed cases against Trump for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling sensitive documents after his presidency. The election interference case, ongoing in Washington, has faced delays and complications due to a Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents substantial immunity from prosecution.
Trump’s legal issues also include a dismissed case related to classified documents in Florida, with an appeal in progress. His renewed presidency, however, may shield him from any federal proceedings.
In addition to federal cases, Trump faces state charges in New York and Georgia. In New York, he was convicted on counts of falsifying records to hide a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, which allegedly aimed to prevent her from revealing a 2006 encounter. His team has filed for dismissal following the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling, with the judge set to make a decision soon. If upheld, sentencing would occur later, although Trump would likely avoid jail time as a first-time offender.
The Georgia case, related to alleged election interference in 2020, could be paused as federal policy generally prevents prosecuting a sitting president. Further, the case has stalled amid allegations of improper conduct by the Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, involving the special prosecutor she appointed.
With his return to office, Trump now has a unique shield from legal consequences, reshaping the course of his pending cases as he steps back into the role of president.
