Justice Dept. Appeals Trump Investigation Report Block

Attorney General Merrick Garland plans to release the portion of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report related to Donald Trump's alleged election interference, while withholding the section on Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents due to ongoing legal proceedings involving two co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. This decision comes despite a temporary block by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who has ordered the release to be withheld until the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reviews the case, raising questions about her jurisdiction and perceived bias. Legal experts argue that Cannon's intervention may be an attempt to delay proceedings until Trump's inauguration, after which the Justice Department could be led by Trump-appointed officials. The Justice Department is appealing Cannon's order, asserting that releasing the election interference section is in the public interest, while Trump and his allies continue to resist the report's release. If the 11th Circuit sides with the Justice Department, the case may proceed to the Supreme Court, potentially prolonging the legal battle.