Special counsel Jack Smith asked a federal judge Friday to put Donald Trump’s criminal election-subversion case on hold until his office determines its next move following the Republican's win in Tuesday’s presidential election.

Judge Tanya Chutkan immediately agreed to the request, which was unopposed by Trump’s lawyers.

Also Friday, House Republicans sent a letter to Smith warning his office against destroying any records, a sign that they will press on with their investigations into Smith’s prosecutions of Trump.

The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the matter, reported this week that Smith is evaluating how to wind down the two federal cases against Trump before he takes office. Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted.

In his request to Chutkan, Smith wrote that his office “respectfully requests that the Court vacate the remaining deadlines in the pretrial schedule to afford the Government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”

He said he would file a status report or inform the court about what his office has decided by Dec. 2. Trump’s lawyers had been scheduled to make their next court filing on Nov. 21.

In the Washington case, Trump was indicted on four charges related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct a federal proceeding, obstruction of a federal proceeding and conspiracy against rights.

In another case led by Smith, Trump was indicted in Florida on charges that he illegally retained classified documents after leaving the White House. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July, ruling that the Justice Department illegally appointed Smith to lead the prosecution. Smith has been appealing the ruling.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all the charges in both cases.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio — chairman of the House Judiciary Committee — and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga. — chairman of the House Administration Committee’s subcommittee on oversight — sent a letter to Smith on Friday demanding his office preserve all existing and future documents related to its Trump cases.

House Republicans have, without evidence, accused the Biden administration of launching politically motivated investigations against Trump. 

Jordan and Loudermilk said they were concerned Smith “may attempt to purge relevant records, communications, and documents responsive to our numerous requests for information,” adding, “The Office of Special Counsel is not immune from transparency or above accountability for its actions.”

The two congressmen cited a CNN report last week that said prosecutors in Smith’s office were “gaming out legal options and bracing for retribution if Trump returns to the White House.”

In the two years since Smith was appointed special counsel, Trump has repeatedly assailed him, calling him “deranged” and a “sick puppy.” Trump vowed to fire Smith “within two seconds” if reelected and said he should be “thrown out of the country.”