Federal Judge Dismisses Classified Documents Case Against Trump
Florida, The Gulf Observer: In a significant legal development, the federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump dismissed the prosecution on Monday. US District Judge Aileen Cannon sided with defense lawyers who argued that the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
The decision, which can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court, brings a surprising and abrupt conclusion to a criminal case that was widely regarded as one of the most serious legal threats faced by the Republican former president. Although the case had been stalled for some time and the prospect of a trial before the November election was already deemed unrealistic, Judge Cannon’s order represents a major legal victory for Trump as he recovers from a recent assassination attempt and prepares to accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee this week.
In this case, one of four criminal cases against Trump, he had faced multiple felony counts for allegedly hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing FBI efforts to retrieve them. Trump had pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
Defense lawyers challenged the case on several grounds, including a technical argument that special counsel Jack Smith had been illegally appointed under the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. They asserted that Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland rather than confirmed by Congress, was improperly funded by the Justice Department.
Judge Cannon’s 93-page order granted the defense’s request to dismiss the case, stating, “The Special Counsel’s position effectively usurps that important legislative authority, transferring it to a Head of Department, and in the process threatening the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers.”
She added that if the political branches wish to grant the Attorney General the power to appoint Special Counsel Smith with the full powers of a United States Attorney, it must be done through congressional approval.
Following the ruling, Donald Trump called for all court cases against him to be dropped. “This dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, has faced intense scrutiny throughout the case. During the FBI’s investigation, she appointed an independent arbiter to review the classified documents recovered from Mar-a-Lago, a decision later overturned by a unanimous federal appeals panel. She has also been slow to issue rulings, favoring Trump’s strategy of securing delays, and has entertained defense arguments that experts say other judges would have dismissed without hearings.
For further details, refer to official court documents or statements from the Justice Department.
