Federal Judge Blocks Release of Special Counsel’s Trump Report
A federal judge has temporarily halted the public release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on investigations into former President Donald Trump. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, comes as an appeals court considers a challenge to the document’s disclosure.
Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, ordered a three-day delay in releasing any report information after the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals resolves the ongoing dispute. This ruling is viewed as a temporary victory for Trump’s legal team.
The report in question consists of two volumes detailing separate investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith’s team had intended to submit the report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, with plans to release the classified documents volume publicly.
Trump’s defense lawyers, including Todd Blanche, argued that the report’s release would be one-sided and prejudicial. They requested Attorney General Garland to block its publication, citing concerns about potential harm to Trump and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.
The Justice Department’s regulations require special counsels to submit confidential reports, with the attorney general deciding the extent of public disclosure. Garland has previously released special counsel reports in full.
This development follows recent legal challenges in Trump-related cases. The classified documents case was dismissed by Judge Cannon, who cited Smith’s allegedly illegal appointment. Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity led to the narrowing of the election interference case.
As the appeals court considers the challenge, Smith’s team plans to respond regarding the report’s release. The outcome of this legal dispute could have significant implications for the public’s access to information about the investigations into the former president.
