US Southern District Court of Florida Ruling
Green Light for Trump’s Presidential Bid
Former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit regarding charges that he leaked national defense classified documents obtained during his term and illegally stored them at his residence after leaving office has been dismissed. Having dramatically survived an assassination attempt by a gunman two days ago, boosting his chances of winning the presidential election, Trump secured another significant legal victory on the opening day of the Republican National Convention, which serves as his campaign launch, further accelerating his path to the presidency.
On the 15th (local time), Federal Judge Aileen Cannon of the Southern District Court of Florida approved Trump’s request to dismiss the lawsuit.
Judge Cannon stated that the investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution because Smith was neither appointed by the president nor confirmed by the Senate. Trump’s legal team has argued that the appointment process of Special Counsel Jack Smith was illegal and that the Department of Justice’s budget support for the special counsel was procedurally improper.
Earlier, in June last year, former President Trump was indicted on charges of illegally removing and storing classified national documents obtained during his term at his residence after leaving office. Prosecutors applied a total of 37 counts of legal violations against Trump, including 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information and 6 counts related to obstruction of justice. In contrast, President Joe Biden was also found to have leaked and stored classified documents upon leaving the vice presidency, but in February, the U.S. Department of Justice special counsel concluded that he would not be subject to indictment.
The special counsel is expected to appeal the ruling in response to the decision.
Local U.S. media reported that former President Trump has recently been shedding judicial risks one after another, just four months ahead of the presidential election.
Earlier, on the 1st, the U.S. Supreme Court partially recognized immunity related to actions taken by former President Trump during his term in connection with charges of "overturning the election results." This decision influenced other rulings, leading to the postponement of the sentencing date for Trump’s conviction on "hush money for sexual misconduct" charges from this month to September.
The Washington Post (WP) reported, "This decision came as Trump prepares to be officially nominated as the presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention starting Monday," adding, "The dismissal of Trump’s indictment adds to a series of legal victories he has achieved in recent weeks."
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