Highlights:
- Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed Trump’s classified documents case, citing the unconstitutional appointment of special counsel Jack Smith.
- Trump expected to attend the Bitcoin Conference despite recent legal battles and an assassination attempt.
- Dismissal does not impact Trump’s other legal battles in Georgia and New York.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump on Monday. The ruling, issued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, declared the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith unconstitutional. This decision comes amid Trump’s ongoing legal battles and an assassination attempt during a recent campaign rally.
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BREAKING: Judge Cannon has dismissed the Trump documents case, citing violation of appointments clause: pic.twitter.com/GPV9jXYAfZ
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 15, 2024
Judge Cannon’s 93-page ruling stated that the appointment of Jack Smith as special counsel violated the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause. The clause requires that certain federal officials be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Cannon noted, “The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution.”
Special Counsel’s Appointment Controversy
The controversy surrounding Smith’s appointment has been a focal point of Trump’s legal defense. Trump’s lawyers argued that Attorney General Merrick Garland’s appointment of Smith without Senate approval was unlawful. This argument was central to Cannon’s decision, which also dismissed charges against Trump’s co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.
The Justice Department is expected to appeal Cannon’s ruling to the 11th Circuit Federal Appeals Court. Special counsel Jack Smith, who is also leading another federal case against Trump in Washington, D.C., related to the 2020 election, will likely face continued legal challenges regarding his appointment. Cannon’s ruling could impact Smith’s jurisdiction and other ongoing legal matters.
Smith’s office had contested the constitutionality argument, referencing historical precedents of special counsels in politically sensitive investigations. However, Cannon’s ruling found these arguments unpersuasive, citing conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s reasoning in a related case against Trump.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The dismissal of Trump’s classified documents case in Florida is a notable victory for Trump, but it does not resolve all his legal issues. Trump still faces charges in Georgia for election interference and a New York state case related to a 2016 hush money payment. Moreover, the Washington D.C. case regarding his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results remains active.
This ruling arrives just days after a would-be assassin narrowly missed Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Despite these challenges, Trump’s public activities continue unabated. His campaign team confirmed his attendance at the Republican National Convention, set to begin this week in Milwaukee. This convention will formally nominate Trump as the GOP candidate for the upcoming presidential election.
Trump’s Upcoming Bitcoin Conference Appearance
Amid the legal turbulence, Trump confirmed to speak in person at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. The conference organizers expressed optimism about his attendance, highlighting the global interest it would generate. Trump’s commitment to attending the event demonstrates his resilience in maintaining public engagement despite the physical threats.
We are happy to report that Donald Trump is committed to delivering his speech in-person at Bitcoin 2024. We are proud to host him and to share the solidarity of the global Bitcoin community and our universal commitment to free speech and peaceful democracy.
— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) July 14, 2024
Trump’s security detail was commended for their swift response to the assassination attempt. His campaign emphasized that the incident would not deter him from continuing his scheduled appearances.
In response to the dismissal, Trump took to Truth Social, writing, “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.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the ruling, calling it “breathtakingly misguided” and urging an immediate appeal. Schumer stated, “This is further evidence that Judge Cannon cannot handle this case impartially and must be reassigned.”
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