Judge denies Donald Trump's motion to dismiss classified documents case, Internet calls it 'ridiculous'

FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA: Judge Aileen Cannon denied one of former President Donald Trump's motions to dismiss the classified documents case against him, citing constitutional vagueness, reported ABC News.

Cannon, a Trump appointee, announced the decision on Thursday, March 14, after a two-hour hearing where the former president was present. She ruled the question "warrants serious consideration" but should not be decided "prematurely.

"Although the Motion raises various arguments warranting serious consideration, the Court ultimately determines, following lengthy oral argument, that resolution of the overall question presented depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged, along with at least some disputed factual issues as raised in the Motion," Cannon's order said.

Since she dismissed the arguments without prejudice, the defense lawyers have the opportunity to raise them again later in the case. Also, she has not yet ruled on the other motion that argues for Trump's protection under the Presidential Records Act.

Special counsel Jack Smith, who leads the investigation against Trump, was also present in the Florida courtroom.

The GOP presidential nominee for the 2024 presidential election has pleaded not guilty to the 40-count indictment for illegally possessing classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence after the end of his term in 2021.

Trump's attorney claims ex-president was victim of double standard

Reasoning the arguments to dismiss the classified documents case, defense attorney Emil Bove said, "These charges must be struck and dismissed," claiming the former president was treated with a double standard compared to other presidents who retained classified details. He mentioned Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Joe Biden to substantiate.

Skeptical of the defense arguments, Cannon said the motion was "premature" and described Trump's request as "quite an extraordinary step."

Furthermore, Cannon asked special counsel prosecutor Jay Bratt if any "high-ranking official" was ever charged for mishandling classified documents.

"There was never a situation remotely similar to this one," Bratt responded. He further argued that the documents in question about the former president "were not created by Trump," instead, they were classified briefings given to him.

In addition, Cannon pushed back the argument on the Presidential Records Act motion to dismiss the case. "I am not seeing how any of that leads to a dismissal of the indictment," she said.

The classified documents trial is scheduled to start on May 20. However, special counsel Smith's team proposed a July 8 while Trump's attorney demanded the trial should start after the 2024 presidential election. Cannon has not issued any rulings to change the schedule.

The trial for the New York hush-money case against Trump is set to begin on March 25, becoming the first federal indictment to proceed to trial before his rematch with President Joe Biden in November.

Internet reacts

Netizens were quite unhappy with Judge Cannon's decision to deny Trump's motions to dismiss the criminal case.

One user plainly stated, "Ridiculous." 

"This Is To Stop Trump Becoming President Again," said another person.

A third user added, "Trump Deserves A Fair Trial."

"Take it to the Supreme Court! This is election interference! Blatant," said another individual.

A fifth response read, "Of course the Judge does. Anything to keep him out of running or becoming President." And someone else wrote, "Disgusting! American justice system is corrupt and compromised!"

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.