Jack Smith Appeals Trump Documents Case Dismissal—And Doesn’t Ask For Judge Cannon’s Removal
SUMMARY
Special Counsel Jack Smith appealed the dismissal of federal charges against former President Donald Trump, arguing that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon “misconstrued” the law. Smith filed an appeal with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate 40 felony charges after Cannon dismissed the case, claiming Smith’s appointment by the Attorney General was unlawful and required Senate confirmation. Smith cited the Supreme Court's U.S. v. Nixon decision and federal statutes allowing the Attorney General to appoint special prosecutors. He labeled Cannon’s interpretation “nonsensical” and warned it could disrupt the Justice Department's operations. Smith did not request Cannon’s removal from the case. The Trump campaign has not responded, but Trump has labeled the investigation a “witch hunt” and intends to sue the DOJ over the Mar-a-Lago search.
