Summary
Lawyers from the Knight First Amendment Institute are asking a court to make a decision on releasing a report about Donald Trump's handling of classified documents. A judge had dismissed the criminal case against Trump related to this matter. The court's ruling may influence public access to judicial records involving significant political figures.
Key Facts
- The Knight First Amendment Institute is urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to push a federal court to release a report on Trump's handling of classified documents.
- The case against Trump was dismissed in July 2024 by Judge Aileen Cannon, who found the special counsel's appointment unlawful.
- Special Counsel Jack Smith had accused Trump of keeping classified records and obstructing their retrieval, but Trump denied these charges.
- The Knight Institute argues that the federal court has delayed ruling on public access to the report since February.
- The report, referred to as "Volume II," is considered by the institute to be of high public interest.
- The Special Counsel's investigation began after the FBI's probe into Trump's possession of classified materials in March 2022.
- Trump was indicted on multiple charges, including violations of the Espionage Act, but pleaded not guilty.
- The resolution of this case may affect future transparency regarding judicial actions in politically sensitive matters.
