Judge blocks release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump classified documents case - AP News
AP News
February 23, 2026
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A federal judge has ruled to block the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump. The judge’s decision came after Trump’s legal team argued that releasing the report could harm national security by exposing sensitive information tied to ongoing investigations, including the handling of classified materials found at Trump’s Florida home during a January 6, 2023, raid. This marks a significant development in the legal battle surrounding the classified documents and underscores the complexities of balancing transparency with national security concerns.
The classified documents were discovered during a search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, which was conducted as part of an investigation into whether he improperly retained government secrets after leaving office. The materials included both classified and non-classified information, raising questions about how they ended up at the former president’s residence. The special counsel’s report, which likely details findings from this investigation, has been delayed indefinitely due to the judge’s ruling.
This decision highlights the ongoing legal challenges facing Trump, who is already under scrutiny in multiple investigations, including the January 6 Capitol attack and his business practices. The classified documents case adds another layer of complexity to these proceedings, as it involves not only potential violations of federal laws but also the delicate issue of safeguarding national security information.
The judge’s order emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive materials from public disclosure when it could compromise ongoing investigations or national interests. While this ruling prevents immediate access to Smith’s report
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Originally published on AP News on 2/23/2026