In a series of legal maneuvers, lawyers for President-elect Donald Trump are working to halt the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s final report and to stop the sentencing in his hush money case. These developments come just days before Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
A federal judge, Aileen Cannon, has issued a temporary order blocking the release of the special counsel’s report, which pertains to federal investigations involving Trump. The decision follows a filing made by Trump’s former co-defendants late Monday night, arguing that Smith’s report should not be made public. Trump’s legal team has also sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, asserting that Smith lacks the authority to release the report. They point to Cannon’s earlier ruling that deemed Smith’s appointment as special counsel unlawful. The report was originally expected to be published before Trump’s inauguration.
In a related case, Trump has filed a 500-page lawsuit in New York seeking to halt this week’s sentencing in his hush money trial. Trump’s legal team is suing Judge Juan Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, arguing that the proceedings violate presidential immunity. Trump’s lawyers claim that as both the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President, he is protected from such legal actions. They are also demanding the dismissal of all 34 counts on which he was convicted, alleging political motivation and a lack of merit in the jury’s verdict.
The New York appeals court is currently reviewing Trump’s request to halt the sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday. Trump’s legal team argues that Merchan’s refusal to pause the proceedings infringes on his presidential immunity and constitutional rights.
These legal battles mark the latest chapter in Trump’s contentious relationship with the judicial system. Critics argue that Trump is leveraging his position as President-elect to obstruct legal accountability, while his supporters see these actions as a defense against politically driven attacks. Both cases remain under intense scrutiny as Trump prepares to assume office.
