Despite claims of ‘transparency,’ Team Trump seeks to conceal Jack Smith’s findings

The White House has long touted Donald Trump as the most transparent president in history, yet significant documents remain inaccessible to the public. Key materials, including Trumps tax returns, the Epstein case files, his recent medical records, and alleged footage of border official Tom Homan taking cash from undercover FBI agents, have not been released.

Now, this list of withheld information has expanded. Trump recently argued that the final report by former special counsel Jack Smith on the classified documents case should remain confidential. According to Politico, prior special counsels have produced reports that were shared with Congress and made public, even when the findings were critical of the current administration.

The classified documents investigation, which resulted in 37 felony charges concerning Trumps alleged mishandling of sensitive materials, has yet to see any public disclosure. While Smith and his team submitted their conclusions earlier this year, Trump and his attorneys are pushing to keep the report sealed indefinitely.

This strategy may succeed due to Trumps appeal to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed jurist known for her conservative leanings. If Cannon sides with Trump, it could extend the secrecy around one of his most politically sensitive controversies. Politico notes that this could hinder congressional Republicans from questioning Smith about his findings, as Cannons order prevents the Justice Department from sharing the results with outside parties, including lawmakers.

Smith has expressed willingness to appear before Congress, but only if the hearings are open to the public. Should a federal court continue to block access to his report, there may be little for legislators to discuss during such hearings.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between claims of transparency and the efforts to keep critical investigative findings concealed.

Author: Gavin Porter