Judge Cannon Permits Publication of 50% of Special Counsel’s Report on Trump Lawsuits

TL/DR –

Judge Aileen M. Cannon has approved the release of a part of a report by special counsel Jack Smith explaining his reasons for charging President-elect Donald Trump with conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results. The report can be released as early as Monday night or Tuesday morning, but Trump’s legal team has the option to request an emergency block from an appeals court or the Supreme Court. The Justice Department had planned to share privately with congressional leaders the section of the report related to classified documents, but attorneys for co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira have argued that sharing the report could lead to leaks.

Justice Department to Release Part of Special Counsel’s Report on Trump

Judge Aileen M. Cannon has given the go-ahead for the Justice Department to release a segment of a report by special counsel Jack Smith, detailing the reasoning for charging President-elect Donald J. Trump with involvement in a plot to overturn the 2020 election results.

The ruling allows the Justice Department to disclose the report segment as early as Monday evening or Tuesday morning. However, Trump’s legal team can attempt to obtain an emergency block from the appeals court or the Supreme Court.

Fig: Judge Cannon’s 5-page report

What About the Rest of the Report?

The Justice Department planned to share a section of the classified report with congressional leaders confidentially, referring to ongoing legal actions involving co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. However, co-defendants’ lawyers contested that this posed risks, including possible leaks. 

Judge Cannon’s final decision on this part of the report being released to Congress will not be made until the hearing on Friday.

—
Read More US Political News