Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced plans to share the report by special counsel Jack Smith on the cases against Donald Trump with committee leaders and the public, once courts allow. The report is expected to cover two cases: the classified documents case and the 2020 election interference criminal charges against Trump.
Garland stated that he believes the part of the report about the classified documents case should be made public someday, as well as the volume on Trump’s 2020 election interference criminal charges. However, this will only happen when approved by the courts.
The two cases have been dismissed without findings of guilt or innocence, and Trump and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, are currently challenging the release of the entire report. This marks a shift in the Justice Department’s approach to transparency.
Garland also stated that he never disagreed with any of Smith’s proposed actions as “inappropriate or unwarranted,” and that there were no instances of disagreement between himself and the special counsel during the investigation.
Once the criminal proceedings against Nauta and De Oliveira conclude, Garland plans to release the report on the classified documents case to the public, citing that it would be in the public interest and consistent with law and Department policy.
The attorney general’s announcement comes as part of the expected closure of the special counsel’s office, as outlined in Justice Department regulations. However, the ongoing court action over Trump’s report, which he is trying to keep secret in its entirety, may affect Garland’s plan. A ruling on his disclosure plan is expected as early as Thursday.