A federal judge has extended a block on the Justice Department’s efforts to share a report detailing former President Trump’s handling of classified documents with Congress. Judge Aileen Cannon issued the ruling today - Tuesday Jan 21st, citing concerns over actions by former Attorney General Merrick Garland.
In her order, Cannon accused Garland of misleading the court during a prior hearing and argued the DOJ had failed to uphold its responsibilities within the criminal justice system. The ruling prevents lawmakers from accessing the report, which was prepared by former special counsel Jack Smith.
Garland’s attempt to share the report with a limited group of lawmakers under strict confidentiality came just before Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20th. The judge’s decision ensures the report remains out of Congress's hands for now, sparking continued debate over its content and implications.