Special Counsel Jack Smith announced on Monday that he is seeking to dismiss both major criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump. The decision comes in light of Trump’s recent election victory and the longstanding Department of Justice policy that prohibits prosecuting a sitting president.

Smith filed motions in federal court to drop the cases: one in Washington, D.C., regarding Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election results, and another in Florida concerning his handling of classified documents during his first term. Smith emphasized that while the Constitution requires the cases to be dismissed before Trump is inaugurated, this dismissal would not necessarily be permanent.

In his filings, Smith noted that the immunity afforded to a sitting president is temporary, and either case could theoretically be reopened after Trump’s term ends. “The Department’s position is that the Constitution mandates dismissal of this case before the defendant assumes office,” he wrote.

Judge Tanya Chutkan of the D.C. District Court granted Smith’s motion on Monday afternoon, affirming that the case’s dismissal does not preclude it from being revived in the future.

Trump welcomed the decision, characterizing the cases as politically motivated. In a statement, his spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said: “Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American people have spoken with an overwhelming mandate for President Trump to Make America Great Again. We now look forward to uniting the country and ending the political weaponization of our justice system.”

Smith confirmed that Trump’s legal team supported the motion to dismiss the cases, which marks a significant moment in Trump’s legal battles as he prepares to assume office in January.