The public could learn as early as Tuesday new details about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
A federal judge has cleared the U.S. Department of Justice to release special counsel Jack Smith’s report about Trump’s efforts to cling to power as he falsely claimed he won the election and a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, had earlier blocked the release of Smith’s full report, which also includes a section about accusations that Trump illegally retained classified documents after he left office.
Judge Cannon on Monday ruled the Justice Department can release the election interference portion, but not the classified documents section.
Smith sought to prosecute Trump on both matters, while Trump denied wrongdoing.
Judge Cannon dismissed the classified documents case in July, ruling that Smith was illegally appointed.
The Supreme Court also ruled in July that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts, which blunted Smith’s efforts in the election interference case.
After Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, the Justice Department dropped both cases against Trump, citing longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting U.S. leader.
Trump is set to be inaugurated for a new term on Jan. 20.
Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters
