U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has temporarily blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report on the investigation into President-elect Donald Trump. The decision, made on Tuesday (January 7), prevents the Department of Justice from sharing the report until a higher court rules on a related matter involving Trump co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos DeOliveira.
The injunction will last until three days after the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decides on the pending request to block the report's release. Lawyers for Nauta and DeOliveira filed a motion citing Cannon's previous ruling that Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. Judge Cannon stated she is acting "to preserve the status quo" until the appeals court resolves the issue. Her order enjoins Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Department of Justice, and all related parties from releasing or sharing the report or any drafts outside the department.
This ruling follows Cannon's earlier controversial decision to dismiss Smith's case against Trump and his associates regarding the mishandling of classified documents.
The outcome of the Eleventh Circuit's ruling will determine the next steps in the release of the report.