Florida judge dismisses classified documents case against Trump.
Florida Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by former President Donald Trump, has dismissed the criminal case against him related to the mishandling of classified documents.
The judge ruled that Special Counsel Jack Smith was wrongly appointed, according to Al Jazeera.
In her decision, Cannon noted that Smith’s appointment did not adhere to proper legal procedures, leading to the case’s dismissal.
This case was considered one of the most significant legal challenges Trump faced as he prepared for his 2024 presidential campaign.
Also read: How classified documents cases involving Biden and Trump differ
“Former President Trump’s Motion to Dismiss Indictment Based on the Unlawful Appointment and Funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith is GRANTED,” Judge Cannon wrote in her ruling.
The order elaborated: “The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution.”
Trump’s legal team argued that a Supreme Court ruling grants former presidents broad immunity from prosecution.
They also contended that Smith’s appointment was invalid and violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, and that his office was funded by the Justice Department, Al Jazeera reported.
Judge dismisses Donald Trump classified Documents Criminal Case. The question is
How about the thousands of classified documents that have been found in Joe Biden’s house and private offices? Has there ever been a prosecution? pic.twitter.com/djKaaWB0ap
— Michael Mbwambo (@McShady41) July 15, 2024
As Florida judge dismisses classified documents case against Trump, he, who recently survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, took to his Truth Social platform to comment: “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 Florida case included 31 counts of “willful retention of national defense information,” each carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison for Trump.
