Trump Legal Team Fights to Keep Special Counsel Report Under Wraps

Donald Trump's legal representatives are actively seeking to prevent the release of a special counsel report detailing investigations that scrutinized the former president's actions during and after his presidency.

In a recent development, Donald Trump's legal team has submitted a request to the Department of Justice (DoJ), urging it to withhold a report from special counsel Jack Smith, which is expected to summarize probes into the ex-president. These investigations revolved around Trump's attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and allegations regarding the mishandling of classified documents. Although both investigations have been shelved, the report had been anticipated to surface shortly.

Trump's attorneys, in their letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, express concerns over the "weaponization of the justice system" and claim that Smith lacked the constitutional authority to conduct his inquiry due to alleged political motivations. As of now, Smith has not publicly responded to the claims posed by Trump's lawyers, who received a draft copy of the report during the weekend.

The probes led to criminal indictments against Trump; however, these charges were dismissed, largely due to the longstanding DoJ policy that prohibits prosecuting sitting presidents. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the accusations. Federal regulations stipulate that a concluded special counsel investigation must be followed by a report to the justice department, and Garland has affirmed his intention to disclose all such findings.

As Trump navigates various legal challenges, he also faces a sentencing hearing this Friday, stemming from his conviction in New York last year on multiple felony counts related to falsifying business records associated with payments to a controversial figure. The presiding judge has denied a request from Trump's lawyers to postpone the sentencing, although he has indicated he would not impose a custodial sentence.

The outcome of these legal disputes and the potential release of Smith's report could significantly impact Trump's political landscape, especially with his upcoming re-inauguration as president just weeks away. Smith's future at the helm of the investigations remains uncertain, with implications lingering over how his role may evolve should Trump return to the White House.