Updated Jan 29, 2025 - Politics & Policy

DOJ moves to drop classified docs case against Trump's co-defendants

Erin Doherty

Walt Nauta (L), an aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, walks with his lawyer Stanley Woodward (R) as they leave the Alto Lee Adams Sr United States Courthouse on May 22, 2024 in Fort Pierce, Florida. — Walt Nauta walks with his lawyer Stanley Woodward as they leave the courthouse on May 22 in Fort Pierce, Fla. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Justice Department (DOJ) on Wednesday moved to dismiss former special counsel Jack Smith's case against Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, President Trump's former co-defendants in his classified documents case.

Why it matters: It's the latest sign that the Justice Department is moving swiftly to wipe any proceedings in connection with the criminal cases that had involved Trump.

The big picture: The cases against Nauta and De Oliveira were still pending, even as the criminal case against Trump had already been tossed out.

The Justice Department in a Wednesday court filing requested a dismissal of an appeal that would have reinstated the charges against Nauta and De Oliveira.

State of play: The Justice Department after the 2024 presidential election moved to wind down the criminal cases against Trump to comply with a longstanding policy that sitting presidents can't be prosecuted.

After Smith dismissed the two criminal cases against Trump following his election win, it was unclear if the special counsel would release the report on the classified documents case.
Former Attorney General Merrick Garland, however, had said that he would not release the report because Nauta and De Oliveira's cases were still pending at the time.

Go deeper: Judge dismisses Trump's federal classified docs case

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional context.

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DOJ moves to drop classified docs case against Trump's co-defendants

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