Judge Aileen Cannon dismisses classified documents case, ruling special counsel appointment unconstitutional

Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, dismissed the classified documents prosecution in a 93-page ruling claiming Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment violated the Appointments Clause. Legal scholars and DOJ condemned the decision as having 'no basis in law' and representing 'judicial overreach,' noting it contradicted decades of precedent and Supreme Court rulings upholding special counsel appointments. The dismissal came on the first day of the Republican National Convention, maximizing political impact. Two other federal judges overseeing Trump cases had rejected identical challenges. Smith announced immediate appeal, noting the ruling conflicted with longstanding DOJ practice.