07/15/2024

Judge Aileen Cannon Dismisses Trump’s Classified-documents Case

The judge, appointed by Trump, said the special prosecutor was wrongly appointed

A judge, appointed by former president Donald Trump, on Monday dismissed the federal indictment against him on charges of mishandling classified documents — his second seismic legal victory in less than a month, following a historic Supreme Court decision on immunity.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon’s 93-page ruling that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed is a triumph for Trump, even when it will be eventually reversed on appeal. Trump’s lawyers have attempted long-shot argument after long-shot argument to dismiss the case before this gambit succeeded far beyond expectations. Other courts have rejected arguments similar to the one that Trump's team made in Florida about the legality of Smith's appointment.

The Justice Department is highly likely to appeal the decision, and the issue may eventually reach the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). By dismissing the entire indictment, Cannon’s decision also means that the charges are dropped for Trump’s two co-defendants, Waltine “Walt” Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.