Justice Department Challenges Judge's Block on Trump Report Release Amid Smith's Resignation

The DOJ has filed an emergency motion against a judge's injunction blocking the release of Jack Smith's report on Trump as Smith resigns from the Justice Department.

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Politics

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Summary

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The Justice Department has entered an emergency motion contesting a judge's injunction that prohibits the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report regarding Donald Trump, who is preparing for his inauguration. Smith recently resigned after submitting a two-volume report addressing allegations of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling of classified documents. Amid ongoing legal disputes, the DOJ aims to push for the public release of the election interference volume, while the classified documents section remains under judicial scrutiny.

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From the Left

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

Jack Smith's resignation highlights a crucial need for transparency regarding the Trump investigations, particularly as his final report on election interference and classified documents awaits release amid concerns about accountability regarding Trump’s actions.
As Trump approaches his second term, the unresolved judicial inquiries against him and his co-defendants underscore the importance of continuing to seek accountability for any transgressions during his previous presidency, especially in light of the investigations led by Smith.
The push by the Justice Department to publish parts of Smith’s findings reflects a commitment to hold those challenging democratic principles accountable, especially given Trump’s previous obstructions of justice and his handling of classified documents.

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From the Right

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

Jack Smith's resignation reflects the impracticality of prosecuting a former president after his electoral victory, suggesting that the legal efforts against Trump were inherently flawed and politically charged.
The Justice Department's push to release Smith's report is seen as a partisan effort that may adversely affect the incoming administration, with Trump’s allies viewing it as an attack aimed at undermining his presidency.
Concerns grow among Republicans regarding the integrity of the Justice Department and its motivations behind releasing Smith’s report, which they argue could serve as a tool for ongoing political battles against Trump and his administration.

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Highlights (25)

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

Trump appears to have contradicted the official line that Smith, who oversaw two criminal investigations into the Republican, resigned from the DOJ on Friday.
Donald Trump claims "deranged" Jack Smith was fired
Newsweek
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·Center
Smith’s departure is another marker of the collapse of the criminal cases against Trump, which could end without any legal consequences for the incoming president and led to a backlash that helped fuel his political comeback.
Jack Smith, the special counsel who oversaw Trump investigations, resigns
Al Jazeera
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·Leans Left
At issue now is the fate of a two-volume report that Smith and his team had prepared about their twin investigations into Trump's efforts to overturn the results of his 2020 election and his hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Jack Smith has resigned from the justice department, after submitting his Trump report
NPR
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·Center
The resignation, 10 days before Trump is inaugurated, follows the conclusion of two unsuccessful criminal prosecutions against Trump that were withdrawn following Trump’s White House win in November.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns from Justice Department after submitting Trump report
PBS NewsHour
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·Leans Left
Smith’s resignation came hours after the department asked a federal appeals court to move swiftly in reversing a judge’s order blocking the release of his investigative report focused on Trump’s alleged efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election before he re-takes office on 20 January.
Jack Smith resigns from US justice department as special counsel
The Guardian
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·Leans Left
In an unexpected turn of events, Smith's resignation raises questions about the ongoing legal battles surrounding his investigative report and the potential fallout for Trump in the wake of these unresolved investigations.
Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned after submitting his Trump report, Justice Department says
Boston Herald
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·Leans Right
Mr Smith's departure comes amid a dispute over the release of his report into the findings of Trump's classified documents case.
Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from Justice Department
BBC News
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·Center
The news came as the country waits for Smith's report on the election interference case to be released.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns after 2-year stint at Department of Justice
FOX News
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·Leans Right
Smith’s resignation was expected to occur before President-elect Donald Trump took the oath of office.
Special Counsel Jack Smith Officially Resigns After Final Report Just Days Before Trump Takes Office
MEDIAite
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·Leans Left
Trump repeatedly vowed he would fire Smith upon taking office and has said Smith should be "thrown out of the country."
Jack Smith has resigned as special counsel, Justice Department says in court filing
ABC News
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·Center
Though both of Smith’s cases were dismissed after Trump won the 2024 presidential election, whether the reports will be released remains in limbo.
Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns After Finishing Trump Investigations
Daily Caller
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
Smith had previously indicated his intention to leave before Trump took office on Jan. 20.
Jack Smith resigns from DOJ after overseeing investigations into President-elect Trump
USA TODAY
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·Center
Smith’s resignation punctuates the end of his criminal pursuit of Trump over the past two years or so.
DOJ Confirms Special Counsel Jack Smith Has Resigned
Epoch Times
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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
While Mr. Smith maintained that his confidence in the "merits" of his case has never wavered, "circumstances" — the choice of the American people — meant that the special counsel would never have his day in court.
Jack Smith Resigns, Having Failed To Take Trump to Trial for Either January 6 or the Secret Documents at Mar-a-Lago
New York Sun
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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
In the filing, DOJ officials urged Trump-appointed Cannon not to extend her order issued last week that is temporarily blocking the DOJ from releasing Smith's investigation into Trump's interference in the 2020 election results.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns from DOJ as Trump's fight to block final report continues
CNBC
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·Center
Smith’s resignation has been expected since November 6, mere hours after Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Final Humiliation: Jack Smith Resigns from Justice Department Empty-Handed
Breitbart News
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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
Smith’s resignation comes as no surprise.
Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned
MSNBC
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·Left
Garland said at the time that appointing Smith was in "the public interest" because Trump had announced his candidacy and Biden was also planning to run for a second term.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns
NBC News
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·Center
His departure from the department comes during an ongoing battle between defense lawyers aligned with Trump and the department’s officials related to the releasing of one of Smith’s reports.
Jack Smith resigns from DOJ amid fight over Trump reports
The Hill
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·Center
Garland has pledged to release to the public all reports completed under his tenure and has so far done so, including after an investigation into President Biden's handling of classified records.
Jack Smith, special counsel who oversaw Trump investigations, resigns from Justice Department
CBS News
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·Center
In the meantime, the Justice Department is battling in court with Trump and his former co-defendants over whether Smith’s report can be made public, with the clock ticking down to the January 20 inauguration.
Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned | Politics
CNN
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·Leans Left
Smith had gone after Trump in two separate cases, one accused the President-elect of willfully retaining classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and the other alleged that he has committed conspiracy to defraud the United States among other accusations. However, the J6 and documents case charges were all dropped after Trump won the November election.
BREAKING: Jack Smith resigns from DOJ
The Post Millennial
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
Smith's departure is another marker of the collapse of the criminal cases against Trump, which could end without any legal consequences for the incoming president.
Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith Resigns From DOJ
Newsmax
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 push to release it before Trump’s inauguration reflects concerns that the Justice Department under the Trump administration, which will include members of his personal legal team in key leadership roles, would be in position to prevent the report from coming to light.
Judge Who Blocked Release Of Trump Report Was 'Plainly' Wrong, DOJ Tells Appeals Court
HuffPost
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 Left
The push to release it before Trump’s inauguration reflects concerns that the Justice Department under the Trump administration...would be in position to prevent the report from coming to light.
Judge who blocked release of Trump report was 'plainly' wrong, special counsel tells appeals court
Associated Press
Reliable
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·Center