Attorney General Merrick Garland has created a difficult situation for President-elect Donald Trump by deciding to release a key report while keeping another part confidential for now.
The Justice Department announced that it plans to make public the full findings of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, the portion of the report related to Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents will remain private, as the case is still ongoing.
Trump’s legal team has been trying to block the release of the report. They argue that it would violate his presidential immunity and have asked Garland to stop the release or leave the decision to Trump’s incoming administration. They have also threatened legal action if Garland refuses.
Legal experts say Trump now faces a tough choice. If he allows the case to move forward, the evidence will likely come out in court during trials or plea deals. On the other hand, if he chooses to pardon those involved or dismiss the prosecution, Congress might make the confidential report public, revealing its details anyway.
Judge Aileen Cannon, who has been overseeing the classified documents case, has temporarily stopped the Justice Department from releasing the report.
Meanwhile, Trump is still awaiting sentencing in a separate hush money case. That sentencing, originally set for this Friday, could be delayed if not resolved before his inauguration on January 20, potentially pushing it back to 2029.
In May 2024, a jury in New York found Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump denies her claims of a past affair and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Trump is also dealing with another legal challenge in Georgia, where a case involving alleged election interference has stalled. An appeals court recently removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from prosecuting the case, leaving its future uncertain.
As Trump prepares to take office again, his legal troubles are far from over. While some cases may be delayed due to his new role as president, they continue to pose significant challenges to his political and legal future.
