US judge Aileen Cannon issues permanent order in Trump documents case

US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday permanently barred the Justice Department from releasing a prosecutor’s report tied to the classified documents case against President Donald Trump.

In her ruling, Cannon said making the report public would be a “manifest injustice” to Trump and his two former associates because the case was dismissed and never went before a jury.

The decision prevents the release of detailed findings from Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had outlined allegations that Trump unlawfully retained classified documents after leaving office.

Trump was accused of storing national defence materials at his Mar-a-Lago property and obstructing government efforts to recover them.

He and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The judge’s order means key information from one of four criminal cases Trump faced after his presidency may remain sealed from the public.

Cannon’s ruling marks a significant development in the legal battles surrounding the president and limits further public disclosure about the dismissed case.