U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed the high-profile classified documents case against former President Donald Trump.
The ruling, issued on Monday, marks a considerable legal victory for Trump, particularly as it follows close on the heels of an attempted assassination just two days prior, and coincides with the opening day of the Republican National Convention.
Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump during his presidency, grounded her decision in what she identified as foundational constitutional concerns, specifically violations of the appointments clause and the appropriations clause.
The 93-page decision unequivocally states that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith by Attorney General Merrick Garland was not in accordance with the law.
“The Superseding Indictment is dismissed because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution,” wrote Cannon.
This dismissal effectively halts the prosecution process, although the special counsel retains the right to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
The controversy began when Trump was indicted last summer, facing 40 counts related to the retention of national defense information at his Mar-a-Lago residence, alongside conspiracy and concealment charges implicating his aides, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira.
This case was one of three significant legal challenges confronting the former president, with the others continuing in Georgia and Washington, D.C. Notably, this dismissal does not affect Trump’s other ongoing legal battles, including a recent conviction in New York on felony charges of falsifying business records.
Trump’s legal team has vigorously challenged the legality of Smith’s appointment and the funding of his office, framing these legal battles as a defense of constitutional principles and democratic accountability.
Responding to the ruling, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, criticizing the Justice Department under the current administration as politically motivated. He declared the case against him as part of an “Election Interference conspiracy” aimed at undermining his political resurgence.
Conservatives and Trump supporters celebrated Judge Cannon’s decision.
“A win for President Trump is a victory for the rule of law,” Chair of the House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH) said in response to a question about the ruling.
“The sham Classified Documents case against @realDonaldTrump has been dismissed by the judge. Truth crushed to earth rose. We give God the glory! Jack Smith and the weaponized @TheJusticeDept has been defeated,” wrote Vernon Jones, former state representative from Georgia on social media platform X.
However, the decision has not been without its critics. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vehemently opposed the ruling, highlighting a potential conflict of interest and a departure from established legal precedents.
Schumer has advocated for an immediate appeal, suggesting that the decision “flies in the face of long-accepted practice and repetitive judicial precedence.”