**Federal Appeal Paused in Trump's Classified Documents Case Due to Election Outcome**

In a key development, a federal appeals court has approved Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to delay the appeal in President-elect Donald Trump's classified documents case until December 2. This postponement allows Smith to evaluate the "unprecedented circumstance" surrounding Trump's election and subsequent presidential inauguration.

Earlier this week, Smith sought the delay to evaluate the implications of the recent election. He is working on winding down two major cases against Trump: the classified documents case and the federal election interference case. Under long-standing Department of Justice policy, a sitting president cannot be subject to criminal prosecution while in office.

The official filing stated, "As a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, one of the defendants in this case, Donald J. Trump, is expected to be certified as President-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20, 2025." This has prompted Smith to hold the appeal in abeyance, pushing the next filing deadline to December 2. This extension will give the Government time to navigate this unique situation and choose an appropriate course of action in line with Department of Justice policy.

Trump, who pleaded not guilty last year to 40 criminal counts associated with his handling of classified documents post-White House tenure, faced accusations from prosecutors of refusing to return hundreds of classified documents. It was also alleged that he took deliberate steps to obstruct government efforts to retrieve the documents.

The classified documents case against Trump and his co-defendants was dismissed this summer by Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. Judge Cannon ruled Smith's appointment as special counsel to be unconstitutional, noting he was neither appointed by the president nor confirmed by Congress.

Additionally, in Trump's federal election interference case, upcoming deadlines were paused last week after a request from Smith. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations in that case as well.