A federal judge has ruled to permanently block the release of the second volume of a report by former special counsel Jack Smith, which examined how Donald Trump handled classified materials after leaving office. Aileen Cannon, who presides in federal court, determined that releasing the document would be unfair to Trump and other defendants connected to the case.
In her decision, Judge Cannon stated that making the report public could raise concerns about due process and the handling of sensitive information. The order prevents the U.S. Department of Justice from distributing or sharing the contents of the report outside the department, including any drafts or related materials.
The case stems from an investigation initiated during the tenure of former Attorney General Merrick Garland, which looked into allegations involving classified documents retained after Trump’s presidency. Charges were filed as part of that inquiry, but they were later dismissed following Trump’s reelection, consistent with longstanding Justice Department policy regarding sitting presidents.
Reactions to the ruling have varied. Some legal representatives associated with Trump welcomed the decision, emphasizing concerns about fairness and legal precedent. Meanwhile, Smith has previously defended the integrity of the investigation, stating that decisions were made independently of political considerations and based on the evidence gathered.