Federal Appeals Court Denies Trump's Motion to Block Special Counsel Report Release

The 11th Circuit rejects Trump's bid to prevent release of the Smith report, while upholding a temporary injunction limiting its publication.

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This story was covered by 12 sources. This shows the distribution of these sources: left-leaning (blue), center (gray), and right-leaning (red).

Politics

Mostly Reliable

The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.

Balanced

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story, verified by multiple sources.

A federal appeals court has denied former President Trump's request to block the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on allegations regarding the 2020 election. However, the court has maintained a temporary injunction preventing its immediate publication, which will remain in effect for at least three days. Attorney General Merrick Garland has indicated plans to release parts of the report, focusing on Trump's actions during the election, while keeping sensitive information related to the classified documents case confidential amid ongoing legal battles.

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From the Left

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by left-leaning sources.

The appeals court ruling reinforces the ongoing challenges faced by Trump and his associates while simultaneously raising questions about the continued influence of Trump-appointed judges, particularly Judge Aileen Cannon, on judicial outcomes.
Despite the challenges to the report's release, the DOJ's intention to make parts of the report available highlights a commitment to transparency, especially in relation to ongoing concerns about election interference allegations.
Judge Cannon's injunction creates an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the impartiality of court rulings in politically motivated cases, thereby intensifying scrutiny on the judiciary's role in political matters.

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From the Right

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by right-leaning sources.

The appeals court's rejection of Trump's legal team's bid to block the report is viewed as part of a broader campaign to legally target Trump, raising serious concerns about the fairness of the judicial process in politically sensitive cases.
Critics, including Trump's legal team, firmly believe that releasing the report before court proceeding concludes undermines the rights of defendants and represents a politically driven effort against Trump and his co-defendants.
Assertions made by Trump's legal representatives about the illegitimacy of Smith's report reflect growing concerns about overreach and the erosion of the presumption of innocence in politically charged legal battles.

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Highlights (11)

Excerpts from the underlying articles that best reflect each outlet's unique perspective on this story.

A federal appeals court on Thursday denied a bid to block the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on the president-elect’s alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election results.
Appeals Court Rejects Bid to Block Release of Special Counsel Report on Trump
Epoch Times
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the release of the DOJ report written by Smith which lays out Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Appeals court allows release of Jack Smith's Trump Jan. 6 report
Salon
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Left
The injunction was the latest in a series of rulings in Trump’s favor, and raised additional questions about whether she even had the jurisdiction to issue such an order given when a case is dismissed and it goes to an appellate court, the lower court loses legal power over it.
Trump special counsel report in limbo despite appeals court ruling
The Guardian
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Leans Left
The ruling leaves open the possibility of a further appeal.
Smith's final report on Trump cases can be released, appeals court says
Axios
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
The appeals decision opens the door for Garland to release the report.
Appeals court allows Attorney General Garland to release Donald Trump report but timing uncertain
USA TODAY
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
Trump's lawyers filed an amicus brief with the Eleventh Circuit late Wednesday, arguing that the release of the report would harm the transition to his presidency.
Appeals court denies effort to block release of Jack Smith's final report on Trump probes
ABC News
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
The court left a three-day hold on DOJ’s release of the report.
Appeals court will not block partial release of special counsel Jack Smith's Trump report
FOX News
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Leans Right
The DOJ subsequently told the circuit court that, while litigation was still pending against Trump co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, it didn’t intend to release the volume of the report related to the classified documents case, but that it did intend to release the volume related to the federal election interference case, where Trump was the only person charged.
Appeals court says Jack Smith's final report can be released
MSNBC
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Left
It is time for Joe Biden and Merrick Garland to do the right thing and put a final stop to the political weaponization of our Justice system.
Appeals court denies bid to block public release of special counsel's report on Trump Jan. 6 probe
Associated Press
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
The decision by Garland to withhold the Mar-a-Lago report all but assures the public will never see Smith’s report reviewing Trump’s mishandling of classified records at his Florida estate.
Appeals court denies Trump’s bid to block release of Smith Jan. 6 report
The Hill
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
The report, they claimed, is "nothing less than another attempted political hit job which sole purpose is to disrupt the Presidential transition and undermine President Trump's exercise of executive power."
Appeals court won't block partial release of special counsel Jack Smith's Trump report
CBS News
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center