Hours after President Donald Trump publicly praised the judge overseeing his classified documents case, lawyers from the Department of Justice urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to ensure that the final report on Trump’s alleged conduct remains confidential. Attorneys representing Trump’s former co-defendants also argued against the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report, claiming that it would violate the due process rights of individuals involved in the case.
In a status report filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, DOJ lawyers expressed concerns over the impact of pretrial publicity and alleged constitutional violations in the investigation. They emphasized the need to protect the rights of the defendants and prevent the release of the report.
President Trump lauded Judge Cannon for her handling of the case during a visit to the Department of Justice, describing her as an exceptional judge. The White House confirmed the return of materials seized from Mar-a-Lago by the FBI, noting that the classified documents are now secured at the White House.
While Judge Cannon has indicated reluctance to release the report, the parties involved in the case have requested that she prohibit its disclosure, especially if a future attorney general considers making it public. They argue that continued supervision by the court is necessary given the complexity of the case and the ongoing statute of limitations.
The final report on Trump’s handling of classified documents remains a subject of contention, with efforts to keep it confidential continuing.
