In a major setback for Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation, a Florida judge has dismissed the criminal case against former President Donald Trump regarding the handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The ruling has been hailed by Trump's supporters as a "huge win" that could jeopardize Smith's entire investigation.
Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley, speaking on Fox News' "America's Newsroom," characterized the dismissal by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon as a "seismic decision" that "rips the wings off" Special Counsel Jack Smith's case. Turley explained that the ruling is particularly significant as it follows a similar setback in an obstruction charge against Trump by the Supreme Court.
Judge Cannon's ruling centered on the validity of Jack Smith's appointment as special counsel, arguing that the authority to create such a position is not explicitly stated in the Constitution. She emphasized the traditional process of appointing U.S. attorneys through Senate confirmation and questioned the legality of granting a special counsel greater authority without this oversight.
Florida Judge Dismisses Trump's Classified Documents Case: "A Seismic Decision
Trump's defense team had filed a motion arguing that Smith's appointment violated the Appointments Clause, which requires senior executive officials to be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Judge Cannon agreed with this argument, dismissing the indictment against Trump due to the unconstitutional nature of Smith's appointment.
The ruling has created a significant conflict, with experts arguing on both sides of the issue. Some argue that the decision is a valid interpretation of the Constitution, while others contend that it undermines the authority of the Justice Department to pursue investigations.
Florida Judge Dismisses Trump's Classified Documents Case: "A Seismic Decision
In addition to the Appointments Clause challenge, Trump's defense team had also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the grand jury that indicted him. They argued that the foreperson of the grand jury had made public statements indicating bias against Trump, and that the jury was tainted as a result.
Judge Cannon did not address these arguments in her ruling, but they could potentially be raised again in future proceedings. It remains unclear whether the Justice Department will appeal Judge Cannon's decision to a higher court or pursue alternative avenues to continue their investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents.
The dismissal of the Florida case is a major victory for Trump, who has repeatedly denounced the investigation as a "witch hunt" politically motivated by his opponents. The ruling could have implications for the ongoing probes into Trump's alleged involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
With the Florida case dismissed, the Manhattan case, which involves charges related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign, remains the most significant criminal investigation into Trump. However, Turley has expressed doubts about the viability of the charges in that case, suggesting that it could also be dismissed due to reversible errors.
Regardless of the outcome of the remaining investigations, the dismissal of the Florida case represents a major setback for Jack Smith's efforts to hold Trump accountable for his actions. The ruling has raised questions about the authority of special counsels and the potential for political interference in criminal investigations.
