What Will Happen to Trump’s Legal Cases Now That He’s Been Reelected?

Donald Trump is set to become the first person with a felony conviction to be inaugurated as president of the United States, creating questions about his ongoing legal cases. With multiple state and federal cases still pending, how will his reelection impact these proceedings?

Up until Election Day, Trump was facing the potential of years in prison due to various charges, including a guilty verdict in New York for falsifying business records. However, his return to the White House in 2025 could lead to the delay or suspension of these cases, due largely to protections around the presidential office.

The U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office. This decision has forced prosecutors in at least two cases to reassess the strength of their cases against Trump.

Additionally, the Department of Justice’s longstanding policy states that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted in federal cases. As a result, federal prosecutors handling cases against Trump are now expected to put their investigations on hold or limit their scope during his presidency.

Overview of Trump’s Pending Cases

Trump faces four criminal indictments: two at the federal level and two at the state level. With his election win, Trump could use certain presidential powers, including pardoning federal crimes, although it’s uncertain whether he can use this for his own cases. If the Department of Justice stops its prosecutions, he may not even need to explore a self-pardon.

However, for state-level cases where presidential pardons do not apply Trump’s legal situation is less certain. Some of these cases could be postponed while he is in office, with the possibility of resuming after he leaves.