• House Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to release the full report from special counsel Jack Smith regarding Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents.
• Democratic members indicate that dropping charges against Trump's former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, is essential for the report's publication.
• The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the co-defendants are currently restricting the release of the report's second volume.
• Garland's decision will significantly impact the public's right to know about Trump's alleged misuse of classified materials.

House Judiciary Democrats are formally imploring outgoing Attorney General Merrick Garland to consider dismissing the outstanding charges against Donald Trump’s former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, as a means to facilitate the timely release of the second volume of special counsel Jack Smith’s report. In a letter to Garland, representatives, including Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), stress that the American public deserves access to the report detailing Trump’s alleged retention and obstruction concerning classified documents, which have remained sealed due to the ongoing legal proceedings against Nauta and de Oliveira. According to these Democrats, [the public deserves transparency](https://abcnews.go.com/US/house-democrats-urge-garland-steps-release-jack-smiths/story?id=117729318) as it is in the very fabric of American democracy to be informed about the conduct of public officials.

The report's second volume sheds light on how Trump purportedly struggled against subpoenas, concealed evidence, and simply disregarded law enforcement directives regarding sensitive government documents post his presidency. The Democrats contend that the continued prosecution of Nauta and de Oliveira hampers the essential public interest in accessing Smith’s findings. “To the extent that such a decision to dismiss these cases might encourage these defendants to keep enabling the corruption of their superiors, those concerns are outweighed by the many indications that Mr. Trump will simply end the prosecutions against his co-conspirators upon taking office,” they pointed out in their correspondence. (CBS News)

Judge Aileen Cannon, presiding over the case, is set to review whether to allow the report's release during a hearing scheduled soon. Currently, Garland has hinted that disclosure might be limited to congressional leaders rather than the broader public, a move Democrats view as insufficient. Raskin commented, “It is essential to the rule of law that Justice Department special counsel reports continue to be available and accessible to the public.” Amid this backdrop, [Garland has faced criticism](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5088645-judiciary-dems-float-killing-mar-a-lago-case-in-nudging-garland-to-release-trump-report/) for the perceived delays in investigations, heightening the urgency of the demands made by the judiciary committee members leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Trump.

Trump’s legal representation opposes the report’s release and argues that it could undermine their defense, particularly if Cannon grants access to Congress, which Trump perceives as a potential threat. The Democrats insist that the public's right to know must supersede these concerns, underscoring the critical need for transparency regarding Trump's past actions while in power. With Trump positioned to assume office soon, the Democrats' appeal for a full release highlights both the political implications and the importance of integrity within the American judicial process. The implications of Garland's final decisions will shape the narrative surrounding these historic investigations for years to come. (The Guardian)