Federal Case Against Trump Tossed Out in Major Legal Shake-Up
In a dramatic legal twist, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed the federal case against former President Donald Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. In her July 15, 2024 ruling, Cannon declared that Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutionally appointed — a decision that threw out the indictment and brought one of the most closely watched cases against a former U.S. president to a halt.
What Was the Case About?
It all started in 2021, when the National Archives discovered that several classified government documents were missing. Despite multiple requests, Trump didn’t return the materials. This led to an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022, where agents recovered more than 100 classified files. A federal grand jury later charged Trump with 37 felonies, including obstruction of justice and unlawfully retaining national defense information.
The Judge’s Decision — And the Fallout
Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump during his presidency, ruled that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. Her decision challenges decades of legal precedent, including the landmark 1974 case United States v. Nixon.
Trump’s allies quickly hailed the ruling as a legal and political win. But critics sounded the alarm, saying the move could undermine efforts to hold high-ranking officials accountable. Smith’s office has announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Why This Matters
The timing of this decision couldn’t be more significant. With the 2024 election now behind us and Trump back in the White House, this ruling further complicates efforts to hold him legally accountable. In line with long-standing Justice Department policy, the DOJ also recently dropped its election interference case against Trump, citing the fact that sitting presidents can’t be prosecuted.
What Comes Next?
Judge Cannon’s ruling is expected to spark heated legal and political debates over how much power presidents — and special counsels — really have. Legal experts predict a lengthy appeals process and possibly even new laws aimed at clearing up the murky constitutional issues raised by the case.
As the legal and political fallout continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this decision is far from the final word.
