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The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to withhold Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on Donald Trump‘s retention of classified records related to the January 6 insurrection from the public. Smith recently turned over the completed final report on his two investigations which prompted his felony charges against Trump. Attorney General Merrick Garland, who officially received the reports intends to make public for now, only the first part of this report which explores the president-elect’s attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential elections via the January 6 insurrection.
In a filing made on Wednesday at a federal appeals court in Atlanta, the DOJ revealed that the second volume of this report would not be made public for now. The Justice Department cited the ongoing prosecution of two of Trump’s associates Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. The DOJ suggested there was no need, or legal basis for an injunction on the report’s release since Garland only intended to release it to some members of Congress charged with judicial oversight. Volume 2 of this report would remain withheld pending the resolution of the cases against Trump’s associates.
Trump Allies Protest Release of January 6 Reports
The Wednesday filing followed the move by the Donald Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to temporarily block the release of the reports to the public until three days after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on a pending request to block the report. Following an order by the 11th Circut to respond before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, attorneys for Trump’s co-defendants Nauta and De Oliveira in their response argued against releasing the reports to members of Congress.
According to them, such a move would come off as an improper attempt to boycott the district court. They also urged the court of appeals to order a District court hearing before Cannon. The lawyers further cited concerns about “leaks” of vital information in the reports, arguing that one couldn’t simply overlook the possibility given that “Congress is a political body.”
Americans Want Reports on Donald Trump’s January 6 Insurrection Released
Amid this legal back and forth, the American people clearly have a say. The news of the DOJ’s decision to release only the January 6-related volume of Smith’s report while withholding the second volume covering Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents has sparked wild reactions across social media. Several Americans have called on the DOJ to release the complete report regardless of the political implications. One wrote,
“Release the report! We the people have a right to see it! No one in politics should be exempt! You want our tax money then we need to know all the dirt on you!”
Another shot,
“Part? So sick of this. Release the entire friggin thing.”
A third citizen added,
“For goodness sake, release the report. The American public has a right to see it!”
One netizen pointed out that Donald Trump and his co-defendants could not be as “not guilty” as they pleaded to be considering how much they’ve done so far to keep the evidence hidden from the public. Some questioned Cannon’s competence, suggesting the Trump-appointed District Judge clearly acted on prejudice, invariably making a mockery of America’s justice system.
Donald Trump and his co-defendants faced charges for illegally retaining classified records following his stint as the 45th POTUS. The president-elect was also charged with obstructing the government’s efforts to have these records returned and attempting to subvert President Joe Biden’s inauguration following his victory over Trump in the 2020 US elections.
Following Smith’s felony charges against Trump, the district judge Cannon tossed out all charges, declaring Smith’s appointment as special counsel unconstitutional. This decision, along with others made seemingly in Trump’s favor has made her subject to criticism. While most of Cannon’s decisions have been reversed, the release of Volume One of Smith’s reports heavily depends on whether or not the 11th U.S. Circuit Court would overturn her order this time.
