Florida judge dismisses the Trump classified documents case

The Florida judge overseeing Donald Trump's classified documents trial dismissed the case against the former president Monday on the grounds that the appointment of and funding for special counsel Jack Smith was illegal.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, said in her 93-page decision that Smith's appointment was "unlawful" and unconditional."The clerk is directed to close this case," the judge wrote.

The decision came on the first day of the Republican National Convention, and following an assassination attempt on the former president over the weekend.

Trump praised the ruling in a statement that referenced Saturday's shooting and said other criminal cases against him should be tossed as well. A source who spoke directly with the former president said that he was "surprised" but "very happy" with Cannon's decision.

Smith's team indicated that they would appeal Cannon's decision.

“The dismissal of the case deviates from the uniform conclusion of all previous courts to have considered the issue that the Attorney General is statutorily authorized to appoint a Special Counsel," said spokesperson Peter Carr in a statement. "The Justice Department has authorized the Special Counsel to appeal the court’s order.”

Christopher Kise, an attorney for Trump, praised Cannon's ruling.

"Judge Cannon today restored the rule of law and made the right call for America," Kise said in a statement. "From the outset, the Attorney General and Special Counsel have ignored critical constitutional restrictions on the exercise of the prosecutorial power of the United States."

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in November 2022, tasking him with overseeing the federal investigations into Trump’s