Trump's attorneys ask Garland to stop the release of special counsel report as his former codefendants take the matter to federal court
SUMMARY
Attorneys for President-elect Donald Trump have urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to halt the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report and to remove Smith from his position. They argue that Smith’s authority to submit a report on investigations into Trump—related to the 2020 election and classified documents—was unlawful. These probes led to criminal charges against Trump, which were dismissed after his re-election. Trump’s team, including attorneys slated for senior Justice Department roles, wants the report deferred to his incoming administration. Meanwhile, Trump’s former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, have asked a federal court to block the report’s release, citing harm to ongoing appeals and improper motivations by Smith. Garland, committed to releasing all special counsel reports, has not commented. Smith is expected to complete the report before Trump’s inauguration and resign afterward. A decision on the matter is anticipated soon.
