• A federal judge has permanently blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation report on Trump.
• The ruling cites a potential "manifest injustice" to Trump and his co-defendants.
• Judge Aileen Cannon previously dismissed all charges against Trump in 2024.
• The report details allegations of Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
• Both Trump and his lawyers argue the investigation was politically motivated.

A federal judge has permanently barred the Justice Department from releasing a report on the investigation into President Trump's handling of classified documents, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post. The ruling specifically prevents the release of what is described as a "manifest injustice" to Trump and two of his former associates who were also charged in the case, including Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira.

The order was issued by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled that releasing the report would contradict both fairness and justice principles, particularly since the allegations have not reached a jury trial. Cannon, nominated by Trump, previously overturned the charges against him in 2024, declaring that Special Counsel Jack Smith had been unlawfully appointed by the Biden administration, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.

This report from Smith's investigation includes significant allegations against Trump concerning the unlawful retention of sensitive documents, including national defense material. Cannon emphasized that special counsels typically release reports only after adjudications of guilt, making this case unique, as it was dismissed without a verdict, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Both Trump and his legal team described Smith's investigation as politically motivated and argued that the internal report should not be made public, suggesting it reflects a bias against the former president. The Justice Department had also deemed the report a confidential document not slated for release, further supporting Cannon's ruling, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

As a result of Cannon's order, substantial details regarding Trump’s classified documents case will remain undisclosed, which marks a significant moment within the legal context surrounding Trump's post-presidency challenges, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.