The facts at the center of Bragg's political prosecution had not changed since 2018 and no new witnesses had emerged. Federal prosecutors already declined to pursue the case, and Bragg's predecessor, Cyrus Vance, also waved off the case. Bragg, too, was initially reluctant to bring the case. The only intervening factor, it appears, was President Trump's announcement that he would be a candidate for president in 2024.