Special Counsel Jack Smith officially resigned from the Department of Justice on Friday, as announced Saturday. His departure coincides with an ongoing legal battle over the release of his final report, which details investigations into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the mishandling of classified documents, including materials stored in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom.
Smith submitted a two-volume report to Attorney General Garland on Tuesday. While Garland has stated that the portion of the report concerning classified documents will remain confidential for now, he supports its eventual release.
Smith’s office has been winding down operations since the election and dismissed federal criminal cases against Trump following his re-election to the presidency.
The Justice Department is currently embroiled in a court battle over whether Smith’s report should be made public. On Friday, an appeals court rejected Trump’s request to block its release, but Serial Trump Sycophant Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily halted publication pending further review. Her decision is set to expire Sunday unless extended, creating urgency for Garland’s push for transparency.
Garland has informed congressional leaders that confidential access to the volume related to classified documents will be provided. However, the report’s broader public release remains uncertain, with Trump and his allies arguing that it could prejudice potential future legal proceedings, particularly for former co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, not that he cares about them.
Smith’s investigations have had a lasting impact, notably influencing a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity in the election subversion case, which was a horrible decision.
While the report could potentially become public through congressional action or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Trump’s lawyers continue to challenge its release.
As the DOJ awaits Cannon’s decision, there is a possibility that at least part of the report could be released as early as Sunday or Monday.
Despite the extensive investigations and legal efforts, Trump appears to have avoided accountability for his actions yet again. This outcome raises profound questions about the rule of law in this country.
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