In the last attempt, former President Donald Trump and two of his allies were seen trying to block the public release of a final report that outlines findings by special counsel Jack Smith in two dismissed criminal cases classified documents case, and the federal election conspiracy case in which the alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election are contained.
On Monday, Trump’s lawyers wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting he delay the report. They claim the document would disrupt the presidential transition and is politically motivated. The lawyers also requested Garland sack Smith immediately for his illegal acts. Garland has not commented on the request.
Two of Trump’s former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, also filed a motion with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. They are trying to block the Justice Department from publishing any report related to the classified documents case. Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, previously dismissed the case and has been asked to weigh in again. The attorneys to Nauta and de Oliveira argue that an appeal to reinstate charges for their clients was still pending; thus, the release of the report would violate rights.
In the letter to Garland, it reveals findings that describe Trump as a leader of an “unprecedented criminal effort” and also blasts social media outlet X for resisting data requests tied to the investigation, which Trump’s lawyers dismissed as “one-sided” and “slanted” because they had “very limited time to review the draft”.
Special counsels are mandated to produce reports detailing their findings and charging decisions. While initially confidential, these documents are often released publicly to maintain transparency. Garland has indicated that Smith’s report will follow this tradition.
It will also prevent Smith from releasing his findings just a few days before Trump returns to the White House if Cannon decides to side with Trump’s allies. However, it is unclear whether Cannon has jurisdiction over the matter since the Justice Department’s appeal is currently pending in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The determination of whether to release the report may set an important precedent regarding the handling of politically sensitive investigations in the future.
