Judge blocks release of special counsel report on Trump

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the public release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on investigations into Donald Trump as an appeals court weighs a challenge to the disclosure of a much-anticipated document just days before the president-elect reclaims office. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon may represent a short-lived victory for Trump, but it’s nonetheless the latest instance of the Trump-appointed jurist taking action in the Republican’s favor. The halt followed to an emergency request Monday by defense lawyers to block the release of a report that they said would be one-sided and prejudicial. Smith’s team is expected to respond later Tuesday.