Judge Aileen Cannon delivers crushing blow to deep state holdovers by permanently blocking Jack Smith’s tainted report on President Trump’s dismissed classified documents case.
Story Highlights
- Judge Cannon’s permanent order on February 23, 2026, stops Justice Department from releasing Volume II of Smith’s report, shielding Trump and co-defendants from unfair public smearing.
- Ruling upholds presumption of innocence in dismissed case, rejecting release of protected grand jury materials and privileged discovery.
- Justice Department under AG Pam Bondi now opposes release, calling Smith’s probe unlawful from the start—a total reversal from Biden’s last-minute games.
- Order binds all current, former, and future DOJ officials, setting strong precedent against weaponized investigations.
- Transparency radicals denied intervention; their appeal looms but justice prevails for now.
Cannon’s Decisive Ruling Protects Due Process
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, Trump’s appointee in South Florida, issued the permanent blocking order on February 23, 2026—one day before the scheduled release of Jack Smith’s Volume II report. The report detailed allegations of classified documents mishandling at Mar-a-Lago and obstruction. Cannon ruled release would violate basic fairness, presumption of innocence, and protections for grand jury secrecy and attorney-client privilege. This shields President Trump, Walt Nauta, and Carlos de Oliveira from irreversible harm in a case already dismissed.
From Biden Witch Hunt to Trump Justice Triumph
Jack Smith launched his probe in November 2022 under Biden, charging Trump in 2023 for documents found at Mar-a-Lago—charges Trump denied. Cannon dismissed the case in July 2024, declaring Smith’s special counsel role unconstitutional. After Trump’s 2024 victory, DOJ policy barred prosecuting a sitting president; Smith resigned, case ended. Volume I on election matters dropped in January 2025 under Biden. Now, with Trump in office, DOJ and Trump’s team jointly sought the block, praising Cannon’s courage on due process.
Stakeholders Align Against Disclosure Overreach
Attorney General Pam Bondi backs the block, labeling Smith’s work privileged and his investigation illegal from inception. Trump’s lawyer Kendra Wharton hailed Cannon’s resolve as law school material. Smith stayed silent. Groups like American Oversight and Knight First Amendment Institute, pushing transparency, failed to intervene and face 11th Circuit appeal. FOIA requesters hit a wall. This victory underscores executive control over flawed probes, prioritizing American justice over leftist narratives.
The order bars DOJ from sharing any Volume II info or drafts outside the department. It applies forever, to all officials. Cannon cited voluminous protected discovery and no precedent for releasing reports in dismissed cases without guilt proven. This guards against manifest injustice, core to conservative values of limited government and individual rights.
Lasting Victory Sets Critical Precedent
Short-term, no public dump of Smith’s so-called “powerful evidence” smears Trump’s name post-dismissal. Long-term, it precedents withholding special counsel reports in dropped cases, bolstering due process over forced transparency. Legal community notes impacts on future probes; media loses ammo for attacks. Trump supporters see vindication against Biden-era lawfare, reinforcing constitutional protections amid frustrations with past overreach.
Pending appeals pose risks, but Cannon’s stand reflects shifted power dynamics—Trump’s DOJ rejects Biden holdovers’ games. This win alerts patriots: judicial backbone defends family, liberty, and fairness against globalist tricks and fiscal wasters who fueled inflation via open borders.
Sources:
Judge Cannon permanently blocks release of Jack Smith classified docs report – POLITICO
Judge blocks release of Jack Smith’s report on Trump classified documents case – CBS News
