Garland Plans Release of Trump Election Report

Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced plans to release Volume One of special counsel Jack Smith's report on President-elect Donald Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. This report will be made available to Congress and the public, consistent with Department of Justice policies, while Volume Two, concerning Trump's handling of classified documents, will be withheld due to ongoing legal proceedings involving co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. A U.S. District Judge has temporarily blocked the release of the second volume to avoid prejudicing the defendants' cases. Trump's legal team has attempted to block the report's release, but the DOJ asserts that such an injunction is unnecessary as they will not release Volume Two until the relevant cases conclude. Top congressional leaders may request access to a redacted version of Volume Two under strict confidentiality agreements. The timing of these disclosures is particularly notable as Trump prepares for his presidential inauguration.