Judge dismisses Trump documents case in Florida

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Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed a case related to top secret documents against former President Donald Trump.

In the ruling, Judge Cannon stated the appointment and funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith was illegal and unconstitutional.

Smith, appointed at the time as Special Counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland, in November 2022, was tasked to supervise federal investigations into Trump’s handling and retention of classified documents after he left office in addition to efforts overturned in the 2020 presidential election results.

The decision is expected to be appealed.

Paul Charlton, Partner at Denton’s, joined “Arizona Horizon” to provide insight about the latest details of this case.

“It’s unusual and came out of the blue. What changes the dynamic here, according to this judge, is that the special prosecutor appointed to pursue this case as relates to President Trump didn’t have the appropriate constitutional approval by the Senate and consent. They didn’t have the appropriate appropriations of funds, and for that reason, she said, ‘I’m going to pull this case out,’ and she did so,” said Charlton.

The case was thrown out “in the face of considerable case law that says the Special Counsel is constitutionally fit, is a legal and appropriate way to pursue prosecutions and that goes back to 1974,” said Charlton.

Cannon seemed to believe the law has adapted over a vast period of time. Charlton said the Special Counsel’s office will appeal. 

“She said the law has changed, she said that the interpretation of the Constitution has evolved, and for all of those reasons, she was going to hold that this Special Counsel was unconstitutionally appointed. Now, what the Special Counsel’s office has said today is that they are going to appeal, and they will most certainly appeal,” said Charlton. 

Paul Charlton, Partner, Denton's

Ted Simons, host and managing editor of

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