Charges Dropped Against Trump's Associates in Classified Docs Case

U.S. prosecutors have officially dropped all criminal proceedings against Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, former associates of Donald Trump, in connection with the classified documents case. This decision comes after Special Counsel Jack Smith's resignation, concluding over two years of legal scrutiny. The Justice Department cited longstanding policies against prosecuting a sitting president, as Trump was re-elected last November, which influenced their decision to withdraw charges. Previously, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed similar charges against Trump, questioning the legality of Smith's appointment. The withdrawal of the appeal against Nauta and De Oliveira effectively ends any legal risks for them. The case's closure aligns with a broader shift in the Justice Department’s prosecutorial approach regarding Trump and his associates.