Trump’s Florida Case Dismissed as Judge Rules Special Counsel Appointment Unconstitutional

Former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles took a dramatic turn on Monday as a federal judge in Florida dismissed a high-profile case involving confidential documents just 113 days before the November 5th election.

U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon in her black robe.

Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision dealt a significant blow to Trump’s defence against charges that he unlawfully possessed classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence and attempted to cover it up.

The case, which carried a potential sentence of up to 450 years in prison for Trump, centred on constitutional concerns regarding appointing special counsel Jack Smith. Cannon ruled that Smith’s appointment violated constitutional provisions requiring congressional approval and funding for such prosecutions, citing a crucial separation-of-powers issue.

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith addresses reporters after his grand jury issued more indictments against former President Donald Trump in Washington, DC. The Washington Post via Getty Images

In response to the ruling, Trump expressed satisfaction during an interview with Fox News, stating, “I am thrilled that a judge had the courage and wisdom to do this. This has big, big implications not just for this case but for other cases.”

Trump accused the special counsel of orchestrating efforts to undermine him and highlighted the positive impact of the ruling on his upcoming political endeavours.

The dismissal is expected to resonate across Trump’s other legal battles, including federal cases related to the 2020 election results and ongoing state election charges in Georgia. The former president was indicted in May 2023 following a raid by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago, marking a pivotal moment in his post-presidency legal challenges.

This image in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and partially redacted by the source, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. AP

Political reactions were swift, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticizing the decision as “misguided.”

At the same time, House Speaker Mike Johnson praised it as the “right result” and underscored its potential to restore public trust in the justice system.

Walt Nauta, former President Donald Trump’s personal aide, carried boxes at the Palm Beach, Fla., estate. AP

Following the ruling, neither the Department of Justice nor Trump’s legal team immediately responded to requests for comment, leaving the future of Trump’s legal battles uncertain as the election approaches.

Dan Olczak

"Editor with expertise in politics and crime, also known for travel blogging."

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