WASHINGTON, United States (Reuters) — A significant legal development unfolded this week as an appeals court agreed to prosecutors’ request to drop the case against President-elect Donald Trump concerning allegations of mishandling classified documents. This decision came after Special Counsel Jack Smith highlighted the Justice Department’s established policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Earlier in the year, a district judge in Florida had dismissed the case, prompting Smith to seek a higher ruling. While the court did not provide a detailed explanation for its decision, the dismissal marks a setback for the ongoing legal battles involving Trump. However, Smith’s office remains active in pursuing charges against Trump’s associates, including valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, who are still facing criminal charges. In parallel, Trump also confronts multiple legal challenges in state courts, with a high-profile case in New York regarding false business records and another in Georgia centered on election interference. Despite these legal pressures, Trump remains focused on his presidency, as both state and federal proceedings may be delayed or impacted by his return to office.