House Democrats Urge Release of Trump Report

House Democrats are urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to release the second volume of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on President-elect Donald Trump's handling of classified documents, even if it necessitates dropping charges against Trump's co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. In their letter, they emphasize the public's right to know about the actions of their officials and argue that the ongoing charges against Nauta and De Oliveira hinder transparency. The Democrats assert that Trump may pardon his associates if he takes office, potentially burying the report permanently. While acknowledging the due process rights of Nauta and De Oliveira, they contend that waiting could delay the report's release for years. Volume 1 of Smith's report, which has been released, focuses on the January 6 Capitol attack, while the second volume addresses allegations of mishandled classified documents. The call for action reflects a broader concern over accountability and transparency in the face of potential political shifts.