Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the Justice Department’s classified documents case against President Donald Trump on Monday, writing that special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment is unconstitutional.
The Trump-appointed judge dismissed the case after Trump’s team argued that Smith’s appointment was unlawful, citing Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling last month. Thomas’ concurrence, which wasn’t joined by any other justice, raised questions about whether Smith’s appointment violated the Constitution’s appointments clause.
Read Cannon’s full order dismissing the case below:
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