US Justice Department drops charges against Trump's co-defendants in classified documents case

The US Justice Department halted all criminal proceedings against two co-defendants of President Donald Trump in the classified documents case, effectively eliminating any potential legal consequences for them.

The case involved Trump's valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, who were accused of working with the president to impede an FBI investigation regarding classified documents retained by Trump after departing the White House.

In July, US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith's appointment by the Justice Department was unlawful.

Following Trump's electoral victory in November, Smith's team concluded their case against the president, citing established department guidelines preventing the indictment of sitting presidents.

The appeal concerning Nauta and De Oliveira's charges remained active until Wednesday, when prosecutors notified the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta of their decision to withdraw the appeal, officially concluding the case.

"The United States of America moves to voluntarily dismiss its appeal with prejudice. The government has conferred with counsel for Appellees Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who do not object to the voluntary dismissal," Prosecutors said in their filing.

The Justice Department had previously indicated it would withhold Smith's report on the classified documents investigation whilst proceedings against Nauta and De Oliveira continued. The Trump administration Justice Department is anticipated to maintain the report's confidentiality indefinitely.