According to Daily Mail, federal Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated constitutional clauses, significantly impacting Trump's legal battles.
In a decision made less than 48 hours after Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania, Judge Aileen Cannon cited violations of the Constitution’s Appointments and Appropriations clauses. The dismissal of the case, which involved Trump allegedly taking highly sensitive national security documents to his Mar-a-Lago estate, reduces the number of criminal trials he faces to two. FBI agents had seized a trove of materials from his Florida home in August 2022.
Judge Cannon's ruling emphasized constitutional issues surrounding the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith. She found that Smith's appointment was unconstitutional, impacting Trump’s most serious legal threat. The Justice Department may appeal the decision, but for now, Trump faces only two criminal trials: one in Georgia and one in federal court in Washington, D.C.
Attorney General Merrick Garland had appointed Smith as special counsel to avoid political interference. However, Cannon was not convinced by the DOJ's arguments, despite past use of special counsels like Robert Mueller and David Weiss. The case involved the discovery of materials in Trump's possession, similar to other prosecutions of high-level officials.
FBI agents had seized boxes of classified materials from Trump's Florida club. Some of these documents were found in closets, storage areas, and even a bathroom used for storage. The ruling came just before the Republican National Convention, adding a significant twist to the political landscape.
Trump's lawyers recently challenged the constitutionality of Jack Smith's appointment. This decision followed a period during which Judge Cannon made procedural decisions that stalled the case. Previously, the 11th Circuit had vacated her ruling to appoint a special master.
Judge Cannon’s ruling drew support from a concurring opinion by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas regarding Trump’s claim of immunity. Trump celebrated the ruling and called for the dismissal of all cases against him. Watchdog group CREW issued a critical statement against the ruling.
In his reaction on Truth Social, Trump stated:
As we move forward in Uniting our Nation after the horrific events on Saturday, this dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts – The January 6th Hoax in Washington, D.C., the Manhattan D.A.’s Zombie Case, the New York A.G. Scam, Fake Claims about a woman I never met (a decades-old photo in a line with her then-husband does not count), and the Georgia 'Perfect' Phone Call charges.
Judge Cannon elaborated on her ruling, stating, "Upon careful study of the foundational challenges raised in the motion, the Court is convinced that Special Counsel Smith’s prosecution of this action breaches two structural cornerstones of our constitutional scheme – the role of Congress in the appointment of constitutional officers, and the role of Congress in authorizing expenditures by law."
The dismissal significantly impacts Trump's remaining legal battles, reducing the number of criminal trials he faces. Trump now faces only two criminal trials, one in Georgia and another in the federal court in Washington, D.C. Trump's classified documents case was previously seen as his most serious legal threat.
Cannon's decision followed a period of procedural decisions that stalled the case. The 11th Circuit had previously vacated her ruling to appoint a special master. This ruling has drawn significant attention and criticism from various quarters.
Judge Cannon's ruling was influenced by a concurring opinion from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The Justice Department may appeal the decision, but for now, Trump faces only two criminal trials. These trials are seen as crucial in determining his legal fate.
The dismissal of the classified documents case against Donald Trump by Judge Aileen Cannon marks a significant development in his legal battles. Citing constitutional violations related to the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith, the ruling reduces the number of criminal trials Trump faces. While the Justice Department may appeal, Trump currently has only two criminal trials left, one in Georgia and one in federal court in Washington D.C. This decision, influenced by a concurring opinion from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has drawn both celebration from Trump and criticism from watchdog groups like CREW.
