The Trump classified documents case was rejected by a Florida court.
A Florida judge has rejected the Justice Department’s classified documents lawsuit against Donald Trump, handing the former president a major win only days after a shooter attempted to murder him.
Judge Aileen Cannon approved Trump’s move to dismiss the federal lawsuit, arguing that the Justice Department’s appointment of Special Prosecutor Jack Smith violates the Appointments Clause of the US Constitution.
Trump pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case involving his handling of secret materials, including the willful retention of national defense information.
Following Trump’s departure from the White House in 2021, dozens of sensitive files were discovered in his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, including a shower and storage room.
“The Court is convinced that Special Counsel’s 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,” Cannon argued in her 93-page ruling.
The former president faces 40 criminal charges for allegedly mishandling confidential materials.
Judge Cannon stated in her opinion that this decision applies just to this action and not to a second one reviewed by Mr. Smith regarding alleged efforts to overthrow the 2020 election.
The federal classified papers trial was recently postponed indefinitely by a Trump-appointed Florida judge, who cited substantial uncertainties about the trial evidence.
Mr. Smith will now be able to appeal Monday’s verdict and request that a new judge be appointed to the case.
He has yet to publicly respond to Judge Cannon’s decision.
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