Donald Trump’s legal team is working to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report, which is expected to detail the results of the federal investigations involving the former president. Trump’s attorneys reviewed the draft of the report between January 3 and 6, 2025, and are threatening legal action if it is made public, according to filings submitted by Trump’s former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.
Nauta and De Oliveira, who face charges related to obstruction, filed court documents requesting that Judge Aileen Cannon prevent the report’s release. They argue that Smith does not have the authority to release the report, particularly since Cannon had previously ruled that his appointment as special counsel was unlawful. The defense team also voiced dissatisfaction with the limited redactions made in the draft they reviewed, asserting that the document portrayed a biased narrative against the defendants.
The report, expected to be released soon before Trump’s second presidential inauguration, would include findings from the investigation into Trump’s involvement in federal crimes. Although the report will be provided to Congress with redactions, the defense team has expressed concerns that the document will be unfairly prejudicial to the co-defendants, especially since they are not allowed to counter the findings publicly due to a protective order.
In the filings, the defense attorneys argue that releasing the report would harm the defendants’ constitutional rights and damage the fairness of any future legal proceedings. As the case continues to evolve, both the Trump legal team and prosecutors are focused on securing favorable outcomes in what is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump’s presidency.
