The U.S. Justice Department announced today that it will not publicly release the full Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report regarding former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents at this time. This decision comes as the department continues its prosecution of two of Trump’s former associates, Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who face charges related to the document retention case.
In a filing submitted to a federal appeals court in Atlanta, the Justice Department confirmed that while Smith has completed his two-volume report, only the portion related to Trump’s attempts to influence the 2020 presidential election will be made publicly available. Attorney General Merrick Garland intends to release this first section of the report, which concerns Trump’s efforts to undermine the election outcome.
However, the department clarified that the findings related to Trump’s retention of classified materials will only be shared with designated members of Congress, particularly those overseeing judicial matters. This selective disclosure aims to balance transparency with the ongoing legal proceedings against Trump’s associates.
The Justice Department’s move comes after the department dropped its criminal cases against Trump following his election defeat in November, citing a policy that prevents the prosecution of a sitting president. However, legal action continues against Nauta and De Oliveira, both of whom face charges of obstruction and illegal retention of classified records.
The special counsel regulations mandate that Smith submit a final report at the conclusion of his investigation. As it stands, it remains unclear how much additional information could emerge from the dismissed charges, which were related to both the retention of classified documents and the events surrounding the January 6th Capitol riot.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who has overseen the case regarding classified documents, temporarily blocked the release of Smith’s full report after a request from Nauta and De Oliveira. This decision has further delayed public access to the report.
The Justice Department emphasized that the limited release of the documents report to members of congressional leadership would ensure that the public’s right to know is balanced with the legal rights of the remaining defendants.
Trump was charged with unlawfully keeping classified records after leaving the White House in January 2021 and obstructing the government’s attempts to reclaim the materials. Furthermore, he faced accusations of trying to impede the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Although the Justice Department decided to abandon its prosecution of Trump, it has continued efforts to pursue charges against Nauta and De Oliveira. Cannon had previously dismissed the charges against Trump, ruling that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was improper.
As legal proceedings move forward, the Justice Department remains committed to transparency while safeguarding the legal process for all involved parties.
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