(Combo) This image composite created on November 14, 2024 shows United States President-elect Donald Trump on November 13, 2024, and Special Counsel Jack Smith on June 9, 2023.
Yansauer Lemandel | AFP | Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump and his former co-defendants in the Florida classified documents case launched an effort Monday to block the release of the final report Special Advisor Jack Smith This also involves an election interference case.
Both cases against Trump were dismissed.
Attorneys for defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira filed a motion Monday night asking U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to block Smith, who prosecuted the case, from publishing Report. They cited the judge’s previous ruling that Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional.
“The final report promises to be a one-sided, biased report that relies almost entirely on the evidence presented to the grand jury and is subject to all necessary protections – which Smith only knew because of the unconstitutionality of his appointment – in order to serve “With a single purpose: to convince the public that everyone charged by Smith is guilty of the crimes alleged,” the four attorneys wrote.
Defense attorneys on Monday asked Cannon for a hearing and ruling on their motion by Friday, saying they believed the report’s release was “imminent.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyers sent a letter urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to block Smith from releasing the report. In the letter, Trump’s lawyers called Smith an “out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally impersonating a prosecutor” in an effort to hurt Trump politically.
“Therefore, because Smith presented unlawful actions, you must rescind his plan and remove him immediately. If Smith is not removed from office, then processing of his report should be deferred until President Trump’s incoming Attorney General, consistent with what has been expressed The will of the people is aligned with that of the people,” they wrote.
Trump’s lawyers said they reviewed two draft volumes of the Smith report over the weekend at the special counsel’s office in Washington, D.C.
Under Justice Department rules, the special counsel’s office is required to provide Garland with a confidential report, which Garland can choose to make public.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Monday.
NBC News Report Smith and his team plan to resign before Trump takes office on January 20.
The Justice Department accuses Trump of mishandling classified documents after leaving office in Florida. Cannon dismissed the case in July, Calling Smith’s appointment illegal. Trump has pleaded not guilty.
Smith appealed the dismissal, but the case was overturned with Trump’s election in November due to the Justice Department’s long-standing policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. Court of Appeal Agree to dismiss case against Trump At Smith’s request.
Smith was also forced to end the election interference case against Trump. sue him 2023, in connection with his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. In November, a judge agreed dismiss the caseAlso at Smith’s request.
Federal prosecutors are still appealing Cannon’s dismissal of the charges against Nota and de Oliveira.
