Judge Aileen Cannon has extended the hold blocking the Justice Department from sharing special counsel Jack Smith’s report on the investigation into President Donald Trump’s mishandling of classified documents with members of Congress. The decision was made on Tuesday.
In her order, Judge Cannon criticized the prosecutors representing former Attorney General Merrick Garland, accusing them of misleading her during a court hearing and failing to uphold their special role in the criminal justice system.
Prior to Trump’s inauguration, Garland had attempted to share the report privately with a select group of lawmakers under the condition that they keep the information confidential.
The judge sided with Trump’s former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, who argued that even limited disclosure of the report could prejudice them if their cases proceed to trial. The prosecution against them was dismissed last summer due to Smith's allegedly unconstitutional appointment, though the ruling is currently under appeal.
Judge Cannon emphasized that the Attorney General's desire to release the report based on historical practices does not outweigh the constitutional rights of the defendants in the case and the court's responsibility to maintain the integrity of the proceedings.
