A federal judge has temporarily halted the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on investigations into President-elect Donald Trump, pending a decision from the appeals court on the defense team’s request to prevent its publication.
Judge Aileen Cannon made the decision on Tuesday following an urgent plea from Trump’s legal team to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop the report’s release, which Smith had indicated could occur as early as Friday.
The case is currently under review by the Court of Appeals in Atlanta.
Key Developments:
- Trump’s Reaction: The former president dismissed the report as “false,” comparing it to previous investigations he claims were baseless.
- Scope of the Report: Special Counsel Smith revealed the report focuses on two major cases:
- The handling of classified documents allegedly sent to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
- Efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
- Defense’s Argument: Trump’s lawyers, including Todd Blanche, have called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to block the report’s release and remove Smith from his position. They argue the publication would violate constitutional norms and serve political motives.
The Special Counsel team responded, stating the report would be finalized and submitted to Garland by Tuesday evening. However, it assured the court that no part of the report would be released before Friday morning.
Under DOJ regulations, special counsels must submit confidential reports of their findings to the Attorney General. In the past, Garland has fully disclosed such reports, including those of Robert Hur and John Durham.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on the upcoming decisions that could have far-reaching implications for Trump and the political landscape.
