Donald Trump slams DOJ's 'political attacks' as he responds to dismissal of charges in classified documents case
MIAMI, FLORIDA: In a landmark decision, US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed Donald Trump's criminal charges related to mishandling classified information.
The ruling conceded that special counsel Jack Smith was not lawfully appointed, leading to the dismissal of the case on Monday, July 15, according to The Hill.
The decision marks the first complete dismissal of one of Trump's four criminal cases, presenting a significant legal win for the former president.
Constitutional concerns over Jack Smith's appointments
Judge Cannon's ruling emphasized the absence of federal law authorizing Jack Smith's appointment as special counsel.
In a 93-page ruling, Cannon wrote, "The bottom line is this: The Appointments Clause is a critical constitutional restriction stemming from the separation of powers, and it gives to Congress a considered role in determining the propriety of vesting appointment power for inferior officers."
“The Special Counsel’s position effectively usurps that important legislative authority, transferring it to a Head of Department, and in the process threatening the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers," read the ruling.
The judge stated that her careful study of the matter revealed no legal statute grants an attorney general the authority to appoint a federal officer with the extensive prosecutorial powers held by Smith.
Donald Trump responds to dismissal of classified documents case
Trump had faced 40 charges in the case in which he was accused of mishandling classified documents and attempts to obstruct the government's efforts to retrieve those records following his departure from the White House.
The former president has pleaded not guilty in the case.
This legal victory comes just two days after an attempted assassination against Trump.
“As we move forward in Uniting our Nation after the horrific events on Saturday, this dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts,” the 78-year-old presidential candidate wrote on Truth Social.
"The January 6th Hoax in Washington, DC, the Manhattan DA's Zombie Case, the New York AG Scam, Fake Claims about a woman I never met (a decades old photo in a line with her then husband does not count), and the Georgia “Perfect” Phone Call charges," he continued.
"The Democrat Justice Department coordinated ALL of these Political Attacks, which are an Election Interference conspiracy against Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME. Let us come together to END all Weaponization of our Justice System, and Make America Great Again!" Trump added.
