CREW requests full special counsel report and communications

On January 7, 2025, former Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted his conclusions on the criminal investigation of President-elect Donald Trump to Attorney General Merrick Garland. This included a two-volume final report, transmittal letter, a letter addressed to Trump and Smith’s own response letter. Despite attempts from Trump’s affiliates to block the release of the final report, the Department of Justice released the first volume on January 14. However, further releases may become restricted after January 20, once the Trump administration officially reenters the White House. They may attempt to prevent the remaining parts of former Special Counsel Smith’s final report from being publicized.
On January 10, two days after Attorney General Garland submitted a letter to members of Congress informing them of the conclusion of Smith’s investigation, CREW submitted an expedited FOIA request for the entirety of former Special Counsel Smith’s report and his communications pertaining to it. The prosecutions have been the subject of widespread media coverage, leaving many Americans with unanswered questions about the incoming president’s attempts to unlawfully remain in power following the 2020 election, as well as about his willful mishandling and wrongful retention of highly-sensitive classified documents and national defense information. Smith had evidence he believed sufficient to convict Trump for his actions in attempting to subvert the 2020 election, but Trump’s 2024 election victory prevented the prosecution from reaching a trial and verdict.
Following his inauguration, Trump will be officially free from federal criminal prosecution throughout his second term. Although no further charges might be brought against him in these cases, the American public has the right to know former Special Counsel Smith’s conclusions regarding the criminal allegations against President-elect Trump. Delaying the release of his final report invites the possibility of the Trump administration hiding or destroying material that would be damaging to President-elect Trump. Therefore, it’s in the public’s best interest to release Smith’s full report before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.