DOJ Argues Aileen Cannon’s Decision to Tank the Documents Case Threatens All of Government

Cannon squashed what was viewed as the strongest and most provable case against Donald Trump. Jack Smith’s team is appealing the decision.

Jack Smith
Special counsel Jack Smith is appealing Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision to dismiss the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case against Donald Trump. Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The same reasoning behind U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision to dismiss the criminal case against Donald Trump for hoarding classified documents would threaten to gut the military, Treasury and several other government agencies, the Department of Justice argued Monday in its attempt to revive the case.

Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith filed a legal brief before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, asking the court to reverse Cannon’s controversial decision to tank the case.

Cannon’s decision to kill what was viewed as the strongest and most provable case against the former president shocked legal scholars, several of whom questioned her impartiality.