Judge Cannon rejects bid by Trump to dismiss criminal charges in classified documents case

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In a significant development, US District Judge Aileen Cannon has denied former President Donald Trump's request to dismiss charges in the classified documents case. Trump argued that he possessed the authority to retain classified or sensitive documents after leaving the White House, citing the Presidential Records Act (PRA).

 

Judge Cannon's decision, delivered in a short order on Thursday, maintains the possibility for Trump to utilize the argument regarding his authority under the PRA during trial or in pre-trial proceedings. While Cannon did not elaborate on her stance regarding Trump's claims under the PRA, she stated that his attorneys failed to meet the legal standard required for dismissal of charges. Notably, the indictment against Trump did not explicitly reference the Presidential Records Act, nor did prosecutors rely on it to bring charges.

 

Special counsel Jack Smith's request for a final ruling on the admissibility of Trump's theory at trial was met with resistance from Judge Cannon, who deemed it "unprecedented and unjust." Despite this, Cannon defended the exercise of submitting hypothetical jury instructions, asserting that it was aimed at understanding the parties' competing positions and the complexities of the case.

 

The Presidential Records Act, enacted post-Watergate, governs the handling of records after an administration concludes, including the transfer of presidential records to the National Archives. Trump has contended that he had ultimate authority under the law to determine which documents constituted his personal records and could be retained.

 

During a hearing last month, Judge Cannon expressed skepticism regarding Trump's claim of unlimited power under the PRA. While acknowledging the forceful arguments made by Trump's legal team, she suggested that such arguments appeared premature at this stage of the case.

 

Prosecutors have consistently argued that the PRA is not relevant to the charges brought against Trump.

With numerous outstanding motions yet to be decided by Judge Cannon, including several motions to dismiss the case, the legal battle surrounding the classified documents case continues to unfold.

 

05.04.24

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[stevenl]

"asserting that it was aimed at understanding the parties' competing positions and the complexities of the case."

 

Seems an unusual tactic to understand the legal arguments. Sounds to me she realizes she made a mistake and shouldn't have done it.