The Justice Department has informed a federal appeals court of Attorney General Merrick Garland's intention to release the January 6-related volume of the final report by special counsel Jack Smith before Donald Trump's term begins. However, the part of the report concerning Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents will not be made public.
The Justice Department has requested approval from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals for this plan. The Attorney General aims to release Volume One to Congress and the public to inform them about this significant matter in the public interest.
Currently, Garland is unable to release any part of Smith's report due to an injunction from District Judge Aileen Cannon. The Justice Department is seeking to lift the injunction specifically for the January 6 section of the report.
Despite the temporary block on releasing both volumes of the report, the Justice Department argues that there is no legal basis for an injunction. The department also stated that it will not release Volume Two as long as criminal proceedings involving defendants Nauta and De Oliveira are ongoing.
Former President Trump's lawyers have requested the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals to prevent the release of both volumes of the report, claiming it is a political move to disrupt the Presidential transition. Trump also raised concerns about potential leaks and objected to the confidential sharing of the report with congressional leaders.
Meanwhile, Nauta and De Oliveira have requested a hearing before Cannon to delay the release of the report. Their lawyers argue that Garland's approach undermines due process by attempting to control the flow of information related to the criminal trial.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of the report's release remains uncertain, with various parties presenting differing viewpoints on the matter.
