Judge Allows Release of Trump Report Volume One

A federal judge, Aileen Cannon, has ruled that the Justice Department can release the first volume of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report concerning President-elect Donald Trump's actions related to the 2020 election interference. This decision allows the DOJ to disclose findings on Trump's efforts to overturn the election as soon as midnight, pending any further legal actions from Trump or his associates. However, Cannon maintained a prohibition on releasing the second volume, which pertains to Trump's handling of classified documents, and scheduled a hearing to address its potential release for congressional review. The ruling comes amid ongoing legal challenges Trump faces, including four federal felony charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack, which he denies. The report's release is seen as a significant moment as it arrives just before Trump's planned inauguration. Attorney General Merrick Garland has committed to releasing the report's findings in compliance with legal guidelines.