A federal judge has formally dismissed President Trump's lawsuit against the January 6th committee, finding it no longer relevant after the committee withdrew its subpoena in a humiliating defeat. 

The judge's decision formally concludes Trump's fight with the January 6th committee on terms favorable to the former president.

Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz wrote that the subpoena's retraction had "effectively eliminated any 'real, earnest, and vital controversy' between the parties."

"This case is moot and should be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction," he wrote.

Trump celebrated, declaring "the subpoena is DEAD!" after the committee informed him last week that the subpoena was being withdrawn "in light of the imminent end of our investigation." 

“Therefore, through this letter, I hereby formally withdraw the subpoena issued to former President Trump, and notify you that he is no longer obligated to comply or produce records in response to said subpoena,” chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) wrote.

Show trial

With just two anti-Trump Republicans serving as token opposition, the committee plodded ahead like a show trial, presenting its findings in a series of sensational, made-for-TV hearings that culminated in a vote to subpoena Trump shortly before the midterm elections.

Trump sued, saying the committee's unprecedented demands violated the separation of powers.

“Long-held precedent and practice maintain that separation of powers prohibits Congress from compelling a President to testify before it,” Trump's lawyers said at the time.

The committee ultimately ended on a note of anti-climax, releasing a ponderous, 850-page report that recommended criminal charges against Trump while calling for him to be barred from public office.

Witch hunt winding down - or is it?

While the committee failed to get Trump to testify, he isn't out of the woods yet. The committee -- abandoning any pretense of independence from the Biden regime -- is passing over its work to the Biden Justice Department to continue investigating Trump, who is now a 2024 presidential candidate.

Significantly, the committee's lengthy report provides no direct evidence proving that Trump incited the "insurrection," which would appear to complicate any effort by the Justice Department to prosecute him.

The report dwells instead on Trump's passionate rhetoric about a "rigged" election, but even liberals have conceded that Trump's fiery language implicates the First Amendment. Trump has already dismissed the prosecution threats, saying they will strengthen his support with conservatives.

"These folks don’t get it that when they come after me, people who love freedom rally around me. It strengthens me. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger," he wrote.