Report detailing Trump's efforts to overturn 2020 election results released
What's the story
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has published the first volume of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on former President Donald Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The report, released on Tuesday, outlines what Smith calls an "unprecedented criminal effort" by Trump to hold on to power after losing the election to Joe Biden.
Allegations detailed
Smith's report accuses Trump of obstructing vote certification
Volume one of Smith's report marks the special counsel's final official word on his investigation concerning January 6, 2021, and the steps taken by Trump and his associates prior to that day to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.
It includes a real account of Trump's attempts to change the 2020 election, such as his "pressure on state officials," the "fraudulent electors plan," his "pressure on Vice President" Mike Pence, and a section on how Trump supporters invaded the Capitol.
Report
'Final decision to prosecute Trump my own'
"Until Mr. Trump obstructed it, this democratic process had operated in a peaceful...orderly manner for more than 130 years," Smith wrote.
Regarding the unsuccessful prosecution of Trump, Smith stated that prosecutors "cannot control outcomes" and can only do their duties "the right way."
He stated that the final decision to prosecute the former president was entirely his own.
"I fully support this decision," Smith wrote. "To have done otherwise...would have been to shirk my duties as a prosecutor."
Legal opposition
Trump's legal team opposes report release
Trump's legal team has opposed the report's release, arguing it violates presidential immunity and could unfairly influence public opinion.
They criticized Smith as an "out-of-control private citizen unconstitutionally posing as a prosecutor" and denied all allegations against Trump.
Despite these objections, courts allowed the report's publication while US District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily halted plans for senior Congress members to privately review confidential sections.
Resignation announced
Smith resigns after submitting final report
Smith resigned from his position as special counsel after finishing his work and submitting his final report on January 7, 2025.
Trump has repeatedly denied all charges and called Smith's probes politically motivated. He alleged on Truth Social that Smith was "fired" by the DoJ after spending over $100 million on what he called a "Witch Hunt."
The first volume of Smith's report is 137 pages long and is likely to be the only one released to public.