Following Donald Trump’s reelection, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s cases against him concluded due to Justice Department guidelines prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith’s resignation, characterized by Trump as a firing, prompted a flurry of attacks from the president-elect, fueled by concerns over the impending release of Smith’s final report. Trump’s efforts to block the report’s release, despite a draft review by his legal team, highlight a potential legal battle. The report’s ultimate public release remains uncertain, with the possibility of Supreme Court involvement.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith concluded his investigations into Donald Trump, submitting his reports to Attorney General Merrick Garland and subsequently resigning from the Department of Justice. These investigations involved Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents. Following Smith’s resignation, the Justice Department is contesting Trump’s efforts to keep the reports sealed. Despite Judge Cannon dismissing the Mar-a-Lago case, the case against Trump’s co-defendants continues. Trump, throughout the process, repeatedly attacked Smith personally and vowed to fire him if re-elected.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department on January 10th, following the submission of a two-volume report on his investigations into Donald Trump. The report, detailing findings on Trump’s post-2020 election conduct and handling of classified documents, is currently subject to legal disputes regarding its release. Trump’s legal team and co-defendants’ attorneys are attempting to prevent portions of the report’s public dissemination, citing potential prejudice to their cases. The Justice Department has pledged to release the report, but has committed to delaying the public release of the classified documents portion until the relevant case concludes.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department on January 10, 2025, following the completion of his investigation into President-elect Trump’s alleged 2020 election interference. Smith’s final report, submitted on January 7th, is expected to be released soon, though a portion remains temporarily restricted pending a court decision. The report covers allegations of election interference and mishandling of classified documents; however, the latter portion will not be released while charges against co-defendants remain pending. Trump, who had been indicted and pleaded not guilty before the charges were dismissed, frequently criticized Smith.
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Attorney General Merrick Garland’s decision to release special counsel Jack Smith’s report on President-elect Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election has sparked controversy. Republicans criticized the move as a political stunt, particularly given the refusal to release a related report on Trump’s handling of classified documents. Conversely, some Democrats lauded the partial release but criticized Garland for a delayed investigation. The differing reactions highlight the highly partisan nature of the situation, with Republicans pointing to the unreleased materials from the Biden investigation as a double standard. The release may also embolden future congressional efforts to challenge executive privilege claims.
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Following a legal challenge, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected efforts to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on President-elect Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. This report, focusing on the January 6th events, was part of a broader investigation also encompassing the handling of classified documents. While the court’s decision allows for release, Judge Cannon’s three-day delay remains in effect, potentially leaving room for further appeals before the January 20th inauguration. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal, aiming to prevent its release until he assumes office.
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Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on his investigation into Donald Trump, pending a decision by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision, which followed a request by Trump co-defendants, prevents the Justice Department from releasing the report, except for limited information shared with Congressional committees. Legal experts criticized Cannon’s order, arguing she lacks jurisdiction and her actions demonstrate bias, while Trump’s allies praised the decision. The Justice Department plans to release portions of the report concerning election interference only after the Eleventh Circuit rules on the matter.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted his final report on the Trump investigations to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland intends to publicly release volume one, concerning Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, pending the Eleventh Circuit’s decision on a temporary injunction. Volume two, related to the classified documents case, will remain confidential to protect ongoing co-defendant cases, though limited access will be granted to Congressional leadership. The Justice Department is seeking to vacate the injunction, allowing for immediate release of volume one if the appeals court rules in their favor.
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Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report investigating President-elect Trump, halting a process that would typically involve Attorney General Merrick Garland’s oversight. This action follows Trump’s legal victories, including a ruling deeming Smith’s appointment unconstitutional and a Supreme Court decision granting broad presidential immunity. Trump’s former co-defendants, Nauta and De Oliveira, successfully argued that the report’s release would prejudice their ongoing cases, prompting the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to review Cannon’s order. The report’s public release is now delayed pending the appeals court’s decision.
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Donald Trump’s lawyers reviewed a draft of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report and threaten legal action if it’s released, arguing Smith lacks the authority to do so due to a prior court ruling deeming his appointment unlawful. Co-defendants Nauta and De Oliveira, citing potential prejudice to their ongoing cases, joined the legal challenge, requesting Judge Cannon block the report’s release. The defense claims the draft presents a biased narrative, and insufficient redactions would further harm their ability to receive a fair trial. While the Justice Department plans to share a redacted version with Congress, Trump’s legal team seeks pre-release notification to pursue legal action.
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John Q. Hosedrinker