A federal judge has put the brakes on the Justice Department’s release of a report investigating President-elect Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts to contest the 2020 election outcome. This move comes as Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, a development he has enthusiastically welcomed.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon issued the order, citing an appeal from Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, two former co-defendants in the case. They argued that releasing the report would disrupt ongoing legal proceedings against them. Trump’s legal team also lobbied for the delay, stating that the report’s publication could impede the presidential transition process.
The investigation, led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, encompassed allegations of improper retention of classified materials and attempts to overturn the previous election. Both cases were dismissed last year after Cannon ruled that Smith’s appointment was procedurally flawed—a decision now under appeal concerning Nauta and De Oliveira.
Trump, long critical of the probes, described the report as part of a “fake case” orchestrated to hinder his political resurgence. Speaking from his Florida residence, he celebrated the judge’s decision, calling it “great news.”
The report’s future remains uncertain as the Atlanta-based U.S. Court of Appeals deliberates. The court’s ruling could take months, with Cannon’s order in effect until three days after the appellate decision is rendered. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is weighing its next steps regarding the report’s classified sections.
As the clock ticks toward Inauguration Day, this judicial intervention adds another layer of complexity to Trump’s return to power, underscoring the enduring controversies surrounding his presidency and political comeback.
