Special prosecutor Smith asserts Trump's guilt in his report.

Two federal charges have been brought against Trump – one for mishandling classified documents and the other for conspiracy to defraud the United States. This pertains to Trump's attempts to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost, and to obstruct the certification of those results. The special prosecutor emphasizes a direct link between Trump's campaign to overturn the election results and the events of January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the Capitol, causing widespread chaos.

The former president has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The trial has not yet commenced.

In the report, Smith asserts that his team has gathered sufficient evidence of Trump's guilt, and the only reason the case has not been brought to court for a conviction is, according to the special prosecutor, Trump's victory in the November 5, 2024 election. Following that, Smith himself approached the federal court to withdraw the indictment, as the Justice Department adheres to a policy that prohibits criminal investigations against sitting presidents. This is explicitly forbidden by the Constitution.

Moreover, prior to the elections, the Supreme Court made a ruling that cast doubt on the possibility of holding Trump accountable, stating that essentially any actions taken by a president while in office are not subject to criminal prosecution. Smith was compelled to reframe the charges, arguing that Trump, in contesting the election results, acted not as president but as a private citizen (a presidential candidate).

In a letter published alongside the report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Smith claims that the administration of Trump’s opponent, Joe Biden, did not exert political pressure on him, and he independently decided to bring criminal cases against Trump. The elected president's assertions that these cases were politically motivated were labeled "laughable" by Smith.

Trump, for his part, reacted to the report's publication by calling the special prosecutor a "fool" who couldn't even bring the case to court. He once again accused the Democrats of political persecution and noted that "the voters have spoken."

Trump will assume the presidency on January 20, marking the first time in U.S. history that a convicted individual will take office due to a criminal case involving illegal payments from his campaign. A court in New York found him guilty, a case that Smith did not investigate. The judge chose not to impose any punishment on Trump.