A federal appeals court ruled on Thursday to allow the public release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on the 2020 election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump. The decision from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes despite objections from Trump and his co-defendants in the classified documents case.
While the ruling permits the release of Smith’s findings on Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, it does not take immediate effect. A temporary block issued by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, remains in place for three days, providing an opportunity for further appeals.
READ: CBS News Contributor Dumps Cold Water On Georgia DA Fani Willis’ Hail Mary In Trump Case
The Justice Department announced Wednesday its intention to release the section of the report detailing Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to challenge his election loss. However, it will withhold the portion related to Trump’s classified documents case, citing ongoing legal proceedings against his co-defendants.
The report is expected to provide significant insight into Trump’s post-election actions and the special counsel’s findings, which could have implications for the president-elect’s upcoming term.
Trump and his legal team have fiercely opposed the release, arguing it could prejudice ongoing cases and further complicate his legal battles. Trump’s co-defendants in the classified documents case have joined in the challenge, emphasizing their concerns about due process and fair trials.
“Deranged Jack Smith was sent packing after losing both of his Witch Hunts against President Trump. Deranged was unconstitutionally appointed and paid for, so he cannot be allowed to do anything more in perpetuation of his election-interfering hoaxes, let alone prepare an unconstitutional, one-sided, falsehood-ridden screed. Today’s decision by the 11th Circuit keeps Judge Cannon’s injunction in place and prevents any report from being issued. It is time for Joe Biden and Merrick Garland to do the right thing and put a final stop to the political weaponization of our Justice system. The American People elected President Trump with a historic and overwhelming mandate, and we look forward to uniting our country in the new Administration as President Trump makes America great again,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s Communications Director, on Thursday.
READ: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Backs Trump’s Immigration Policies On “Day One”
The appeals court rejected these arguments, ruling that the public’s interest in transparency outweighs the defendants’ objections. Legal experts suggest this decision highlights the judiciary’s commitment to balancing public accountability with ongoing legal proceedings.
With the lower court’s temporary block in place for three more days, Trump’s team has a limited window to pursue additional appeals. It remains unclear whether they will escalate the matter to the Supreme Court or seek alternative legal remedies.
The Justice Department has not provided a specific timeline for the release of the report but has indicated that it will work within the bounds of the court’s rulings.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.