Withdrawal in the case marks end of years-long legal battle between Trump and the special counsel, Jack Smith

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Special counsel prosecutors dismissed the criminal case against Donald Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to a court filing Monday, as they bowed to the reality that it would not be completed or proceed to trial before Trump returns to the presidency next year.

The withdrawal in the case marked the end of the years-long legal battle between Trump and the special counsel, Jack Smith, and reflected the extraordinary ability of Trump to sidestep an indictment that would have sunk the presidential bid of anyone else.