The ruling may represent a short-lived victory for Trump but it’s nonetheless the latest instance of the Trump-appointed jurist taking action in the Republican’s favor.

The seal of the U.S. Justice Department is seen on the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.

Special counsel Jack Smith was finalizing his report about Trump's two indictments for release as early as Friday if the judge hadn't blocked it.

The Justice Department said Wednesday in a court filing Attorney General Merrick Garland will release Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the alleged Jan. 6 election conspiracy by President-Elect Donald Trump.

Attorney General Merrick Garland intends to release special counsel Jack Smith's report on President-elect Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith's second report on the classified documents investigation will be withheld as the cases with Trump's co-defendants are still pending.

The Justice Department told a federal appeals court on Wednesday that it should be able to release the January 6-related volume of its final report of special counsel Jack Smith days before Donald Trump takes office.