**Trump's ongoing legal challenges include attempts to overturn the 2020 election and allegations of mishandling classified documents.**
**Trump Moves to Halt Release of Investigative Report Amid Legal Battles**
**Trump Moves to Halt Release of Investigative Report Amid Legal Battles**
**Legal team claims report's release would represent "weaponisation of justice" against the former president.**
Former president Donald Trump's legal representatives have formally requested the Department of Justice (DoJ) refrain from releasing a special counsel report regarding investigations led by Jack Smith. The report covers two major inquiries: one focused on alleged attempts to overturn Trump's 2020 election defeat, and another concerning the mishandling of classified documents. Although both investigations have been shelved, the report's anticipated release has triggered Trump's lawyers to act.
In a letter directed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Trump's attorneys asserted that releasing the report would embody the "weaponisation of the justice system" against Trump. They also claimed that Smith lacked the legal authority necessary to compile the report due to his supposed unconstitutional appointment and political bias. As of now, Jack Smith has not publicly addressed these claims. Trump's legal team was given a draft version of the report over the weekend.
The investigations, which previously resulted in criminal indictments against Trump, faced dismissal. A longstanding DoJ policy that restricts the prosecution of sitting presidents played a part in this outcome, and Trump consistently maintained his innocence. Federal regulations stipulate that any special counsel inquiry must culminate in a report to the DoJ, and Garland has noted his intention to release all such reports.
The legal landscape for Trump remains complex as he contends with various cases during his absence from the Oval Office. Accusations of delayed legal actions against Trump emerged, with opponents blaming the Biden administration for not pursuing charges swiftly enough. Meanwhile, Trump's supporters claimed that the legal proceedings were driven by political motivations.
One significant investigation involved Trump's efforts to contest the 2020 election results, which ultimately led to a legal stalemate following a Supreme Court ruling that partially shielded Trump from criminal prosecution relating to actions taken while in office. Although Smith attempted to revive the case, it was ultimately wound down after Trump secured the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
In a similar vein, Smith led an inquiry concerning Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents post-presidency, which also faced challenges, resulting in dismissal by a Trump-appointed judge. Smith appealed but later chose to abandon the case.
Current DoJ rules provide immunity for sitting presidents regarding criminal prosecutions, which influenced Smith's decisions surrounding Trump's legal cases. Additionally, Trump's campaign heralded the conclusion of these investigations as a pivotal win for the rule of law.
As Trump eyes a potential return to the White House with an inauguration nearing, he continues to grapple with sentencing related to 34 felony counts in a separate case involving falsified business records related to payments made to an adult film actress. Despite requests for delays, the presiding judge has signaled that a custodial sentence for Trump is unlikely, setting up a complex backdrop as Trump navigates his legal and political future.
