A group of US lawmakers is calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to dismiss the remaining criminal charges against Donald Trump's co-defendants in the Florida classified documents case, arguing that it would pave the way for the release of the special counsel's report. The lawmakers believe this is a necessary step to ensure transparency and public access to information regarding the investigations into Trump's handling of classified documents.
A group of US lawmakers are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to dismiss the remaining criminal charges against Donald Trump 's co-defendants in the Florida classified documents case, arguing that it would clear the way for the release of the special counsel 's report.
In a letter to Garland, the lawmakers stated that it is his responsibility to ensure the report's release before his tenure ends, including the possibility of dismissing the charges against Trump's co-conspirators, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, if necessary. Special counsel Jack Smith completed a two-volume report on his investigations into Trump. Garland released the first volume, focusing on Trump's 2020 election interference, this week. However, Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the release of the second volume, which deals with Trump's handling of classified documents. Trump and his co-defendants requested Cannon to keep the report confidential until after Trump's inauguration, claiming its public release would prejudice the court against Nauta and De Oliveira while they still face charges. Prosecutors concur with Trump's team that disclosing the report would be inappropriate while the classified documents case is ongoing but have requested Cannon to permit them to show the report to the top Republicans and Democrats on the Senate and House Judiciary committees. Trump's legal team opposed this, prompting Cannon to schedule a hearing on the matter for Friday.The lawmakers emphasized that while dismissing the cases might potentially encourage Trump's co-conspirators to continue enabling their superior's alleged corruption, the concern is outweighed by the strong indication that Trump will cease all prosecutions against his co-conspirators upon assuming office and subsequently instruct his Department of Justice to permanently shelve the report. They argue that Trump's DOJ will have the authority to terminate court proceedings against Nauta and De Oliveira. However, the report might become subject to public records laws once the case concludes. Former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade highlighted this point on X, suggesting that an investigative reporter file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to ensure the report's production once the cases are potentially dismissed after January 20th. She noted that pending cases are exempt from FOIA, but closed investigations are not.This situation raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly regarding the handling of classified information by a former president. The lawmakers' request to dismiss the charges highlights the potential for political influence over legal proceedings and the need for a clear and impartial process for addressing allegations of wrongdoing, regardless of the individual's status or political affiliation
Donald Trump Classified Documents Special Counsel Merrick Garland Attorney General Co-Defendants Jack Smith Freedom Of Information Act FOIA Legal Proceedings Presidential Investigations
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