Jack Smith Finalizing Trump Report for Friday Release/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Special counsel Jack Smith is finalizing a two-volume report on his investigations into President-elect Donald Trump, with one volume potentially released as early as Friday. The report covers Trump’s classified documents case and 2020 election interference efforts, both abandoned after his election victory. Trump’s lawyers have called for the report’s release to be blocked, citing political motives and prejudicial content.
Jack Smith’s Trump Investigation Report: Quick Looks
- Report Details: Smith’s two-volume report examines classified documents and election interference cases.
- Planned Release: One volume may be made public by the DOJ on Friday.
- Legal Challenges: Trump’s lawyers seek to block the release, citing political bias.
- Case Abandonment: Smith dropped both cases in November due to Trump’s election victory.
- DOJ Policy: Federal rules bar prosecutions of sitting presidents.
- Precedent: DOJ previously released reports from special counsels under Merrick Garland’s tenure.
Jack Smith Finalizing Trump Report for Friday Release
Deep Look
Special counsel Jack Smith is preparing to release a detailed report on his investigations into President-elect Donald Trump, potentially unveiling findings as early as Friday. Smith’s two-volume report delves into two high-profile cases involving Trump: the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot.
The Investigations and Outcomes
Smith charged Trump in two cases: one concerning classified documents and another focusing on election interference. However, both cases were abandoned in November after Trump’s presidential victory, as DOJ policy prohibits the federal prosecution of sitting presidents.
The classified documents case, which also implicated Trump aides Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, was dismissed in July by a Trump-appointed judge who deemed Smith’s appointment illegal. The election interference case was narrowed significantly following a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
Despite the cases being dropped, the upcoming report will provide a comprehensive account of the investigations and the decisions surrounding them.
Trump’s Legal Team Pushes Back
Trump’s lawyers, including Todd Blanche, who Trump selected to serve as deputy attorney general in his upcoming administration, have called for the report’s release to be blocked. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, they argued that Smith’s report constitutes a political attack designed to harm Trump.
Blanche described the report as a “lawless political stunt,” accusing Smith of operating unconstitutionally and wasting taxpayer money. The letter requested Garland either halt the release or defer it to the incoming attorney general.
Co-Defendants Join the Fight
Lawyers for Trump’s co-defendants in the documents case—Nauta and De Oliveira—filed a separate request in federal court to prevent the report’s release. They argued that disclosing the report while Smith’s appeal of their dismissed charges is pending could prejudice public opinion against them.
Timing and DOJ Regulations
Smith’s team stated in a Tuesday filing that the report would be submitted to Garland by the afternoon and that the volume addressing the classified documents case would not be released before 10 a.m. Friday. DOJ regulations require special counsels to submit confidential reports at the conclusion of their investigations, but it is Garland’s discretion whether to make them public.
Under Garland’s leadership, the DOJ has released previous special counsel reports in full, including Robert Hur’s investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents and John Durham’s review of the FBI’s Russia probe.
What to Expect
If Garland follows precedent, both volumes of Smith’s report are expected to be released simultaneously. The classified documents volume will detail Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged mishandling of sensitive government materials, while the second will focus on Trump’s actions related to the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot.
The report’s release could provide significant insights into the investigations, charging decisions, and legal obstacles faced by Smith’s team. However, it also sets the stage for political and legal battles as Trump prepares to assume office.
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