Democrats Demand Jack Smith’s Report

As the Biden administration continues its legal battles with former President Donald Trump, top Democrats are ramping up their efforts to ensure that records tied to special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations are preserved. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has formally urged the Justice Department to keep all records related to Smith’s investigation, including the final report, which is currently ensnared in ongoing litigation.

Durbin’s letter, which was supported by other Democratic members of the committee, indicates that the panel may take steps to secure access to the special counsel’s report, even if it is not made public before Trump assumes office once again. The committee has signaled its intention to request the full release of the documents at an appropriate time, despite the existing court order that has temporarily blocked the publication of certain parts of the report.

A key development occurred earlier this week when U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon cleared the way for the release of the section of Smith’s report that covers Trump’s alleged attempts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election. However, the judge has scheduled further hearings to decide whether the section concerning Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago will be shared with Judiciary Committee leaders. Attorney General Merrick Garland has indicated that the Mar-a-Lago documents section will not be made public due to an ongoing trial involving two of Trump’s co-defendants.

Durbin’s concerns are amplified by statements from incoming Republican officials, such as Trump’s potential nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi. Bondi has suggested that Republicans plan to aggressively target those involved in investigating Trump, vowing to hold “bad” prosecutors accountable. Durbin, in response, stressed the need for the Department of Justice to take immediate steps to preserve all materials related to these sensitive investigations, given the threats made by some within the GOP.

While federal law mandates the preservation of key documents, Durbin’s concerns highlight the growing political tensions surrounding the special counsel’s probe. Special counsel reports typically go to lawmakers after being submitted to the Attorney General, who decides whether they should be made public. During Garland’s tenure, reports from previous special counsels have been made accessible, but the incoming Trump administration is expected to treat these records much differently, potentially keeping them under wraps.

As Trump’s second potential inauguration looms, the battle over these documents could become a flashpoint in the ongoing political and legal struggles that will continue to shape the future of the Republican Party.