Florida Judge Dismisses Trump Classified Documents Case
In a significant legal win for Donald Trump, a Florida judge has dismissed the Justice Department’s case concerning his handling of classified documents. This decision comes shortly after an assassination attempt on the former president. Judge Aileen Cannon ruled in favor of Trump, arguing that the appointment of special prosecutor Jack Smith breached the Appointments Clause of the US Constitution.
Trump, who had pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, was accused of willfully retaining national defense information. The Justice Department, however, is set to appeal Judge Cannon’s decision.
After leaving office in 2021, several classified documents were discovered at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, including in a shower and a storage room. In her 93-page order, Judge Cannon expressed that the prosecution by Special Counsel Smith undermined fundamental constitutional principles related to congressional authority in appointments and funding.
The former president faced 37 counts, accused of retaining classified files and obstructing the investigation. His co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, also pleaded not guilty. Judge Cannon clarified that her ruling applied solely to this case, not to another investigation led by Smith into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
This ruling diverges from previous judicial decisions regarding special counsels, drawing on theories from conservative scholars and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Notably, in a recent Supreme Court ruling, it was determined that former presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for official acts. Judge Cannon referenced Justice Thomas’s concurring opinion multiple times.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani described Judge Cannon’s decision as “stunning,” noting its potential implications for other special counsel appointments, including the investigation into Hunter Biden. Unlike Smith, David Weiss, the special counsel in Biden’s case, was nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Special Counsel Smith’s spokesperson emphasized that the Justice Department would appeal the ruling, which conflicts with Supreme Court and lower court decisions. Legal experts, including David Super from Georgetown University Law Center, believe the ruling will likely be overturned on appeal but acknowledged it could delay proceedings and benefit Trump’s campaign.
As Republicans gather in Milwaukee for their national convention, where Trump will accept the party’s nomination, the former president took to social media to call for the dismissal of all investigations against him. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the ruling as “breathtakingly misguided.”
Trump’s legal challenges continue, including a conviction for falsifying business records in New York and multiple charges related to the 2020 election. He denies any wrongdoing.
