Overview
- House Judiciary Democrats filed an amicus brief asking Judge Aileen Cannon to unseal Volume II of Jack Smith’s final report and sent a demand letter pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi to release it.
- Judge Cannon blocked publication in January, citing potential prejudice to Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, but Democrats argue the dismissal of their cases removes that concern.
- The 11th Circuit has ordered Judge Cannon to decide by January 2026 whether to unseal the second volume.
- Republican leaders subpoenaed Smith for a closed deposition next week after he offered to testify publicly, and his lawyers say he needs DOJ guidance and access to files to discuss classified material.
- The U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida recently warned in a filing that disclosure would cause “extraordinary prejudice,” as DOJ points to the existing court order while Volume I of the report was previously released.