Dismissal of Federal Documents Case

On July 15, 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the federal classified documents case against Donald Trump, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution. In a 93-page order, Cannon held that Attorney General Merrick Garland lacked statutory authority to appoint Smith as special counsel. The ruling was the first time a court dismissed criminal charges based on the constitutionality of a special counsel's appointment.