The Justice Department charged Donald Trump under the Espionage Act three years ago for not returning classified documents post-presidency. Despite avoiding trial, Trump hasn’t fully answered to the public.

Legal proceedings were halted after Trump won the 2024 election, because of a policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Upon returning to the White House, Trump worked with the Justice Department to hide the report on his actions. Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, ordered the suppression of the report, limiting special counsel Jack Smith from public discussion or congressional testimony.

Judge Cannon’s decision should be overturned. If sitting presidents are immune from prosecution, then transparency from Congress and public accountability are crucial.

The Justice Department’s investigation began in 2022 when the National Archives flagged classified documents in Trump’s possession. Trump’s presidential candidacy later prompted Attorney General Merrick Garland to assign Jack Smith as special counsel to preserve political impartiality.

In 2023, a Florida grand jury indicted Trump and others on charges of document concealment at Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, was also implicated. Convictions could have resulted in severe prison sentences for Trump’s associates, and potentially lifelong imprisonment for Trump.