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Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's Classified Documents Case, Citing Unconstitutional Appointment and Funding of Special Counsel

Jul 15, 2024, 02:06 PM

A federal judge, Aileen Cannon, has dismissed the criminal case against former President Donald Trump regarding his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The dismissal was based on the finding that the appointment and funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith were unconstitutional, violating the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This decision marks a significant legal victory for Trump, as the case involved over 40 federal charges related to his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The ruling has been met with widespread reactions, with some anticipating an appeal to higher courts. The case was part of the Biden DOJ's efforts to prosecute Trump for amassing highly sensitive national security secrets.