Federal judge blocks release of second volume of Jack Smith report
NEWYou can now hearken to Fox News articles!
A federal judge on Monday agreed to completely block the release of volume two of former particular counsel Jack Smith’s report — centered on President Donald Trump’s dealing with of categorised supplies after his first time period in workplace — in a major victory for the president and his co-defendants.
US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, granted the president’s request to completely block the release of the second volume of the report, ruling that its publication would characterize a “manifest injustice” each to Trump and the co-defendants within the categorised paperwork case.
“Special Counsel Smith, acting without lawful authority, obtained an indictment in this action and initiated proceedings that resulted in a final order of dismissal of all charges,” Cannon stated Monday.
JACK SMITH SUBPOENAED FOR DEPOSITION WITH HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Former particular counsel Jack Smith says the Pledge of Allegiance earlier than he testifies earlier than the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington, DC (Al Drago/Getty Images)
The ruling blocks the Justice Department from “releasing, distributing, conveying, or sharing with anyone outside the Department of Justice any information or conclusions in Volume II or in drafts thereof.”
It additionally comes simply day earlier than Volume II of Smith’s particular counsel probe was slated to be launched on Tuesday.
Trump’s former protection lawyer, Kendra Wharton, praised Cannon’s determination to dam Volume II of Smith’s report from being launched publicly, telling Fox News Digital in an announcement that her “courage and judicial resolution on these important due process issues should be recognized and taught in law school classrooms across America.”
Neither Smith’s regulation agency nor the Justice Department instantly responded to Fox News Digital’s request for touch upon Monday’s ruling.
Cannon beforehand dominated that Smith was unconstitutionally appointed as particular counsel, though the matter was in the end dismissed following Trump’s re-election in 2024.
In his 15-page order Monday, Cannon stated permitting the release of Volume II of the particular counsel report would “contravene basic notions of fairness and justice” and certain immediate the sharing of protected info, together with materials lined by attorney-client privilege.
“Moreover, while it is true that former special counsels have released final reports at the conclusion of their work, it appears they have done so either after electing not to bring charges at all or after adjudications of guilt by plea or trial,” Cannon stated.
TRUMP STRIPS SECURITY CLEARANCES FROM LAW FIRM TIED TO JACK SMITH CASES
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, joined by President Donald Trump, speaks at a press convention on latest Supreme Court rulings within the briefing room on the White House on June 27, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“The Court strains to find a situation in which a former special counsel has released a report after initiating criminal charges that did not result in a finding of guilt, at least not in a situation like this one, where the defendants answered the charges from the outset and still proclaim their innocence,” she added.
Smith was tapped by former Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to analyze the alleged effort by Trump and his allies to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election, in addition to Trump’s retention of allegedly categorised paperwork at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach after leaving workplace in 2021.
Smith had brought charges against Trump in each circumstances.
The prices have been dropped after Trump’s election, consistent with a long-standing Justice Department coverage that daunts prosecuting sitting presidents on federal prison prices. Smith resigned from his position shortly afterward.
Trump’s former protection lawyer, Kendra Wharton, praised Cannon’s determination to dam Volume II of Smith’s report from being launched publicly, telling Fox News Digital in an announcement that her “courage and judicial resolution on these important due process issues should be recognized and taught in law school classrooms across America.”
JACK SMITH SUBPOENAED FOR DEPOSITION WITH HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Former Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith, middle, and his lawyer Lanny Breuer, middle rear, arrive at a listening to room within the Rayburn House Office Building. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
Smith, for his half, has forcefully sought to dispute the notion that his staff had acted politically, utilizing private and non-private remarks to House Republicans in December and January to defend his staff’s actions.
His staff had developed what he described as “powerful evidence” that Trump had willfully retained extremely categorised paperwork after leaving workplace in January 2021 at his non-public Mar-a-Lago residence, and had been obstructing the federal government’s efforts to get well the data.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I made my decisions in the investigation without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election,” Smith told members of the House Judiciary Committee in a Dec. 17 interview.
