- The independent investigator advocates for a resumption of Trump's court proceedings.
Prosecutor Jack Smith has asked an appeals court to reactivate the criminal case against ex-President Donald Trump in the document situation. Judge Aileen Cannon, who managed the case, had terminated it in mid-July, raising concerns about the validity of Smith's assignment. Smith has now submitted an appeal, detailing his reasons in a submission.
In the submission, Smith asserts that Cannon's decision conflicts with "widely recognized and lengthy traditions" regarding the appointment of special counselors. It contradicts the established legal principle that the Attorney General holds the power to appoint a special counsel. Smith requests the appeals court to reverse Cannon's decision. Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned the 55-year-old to handle investigations related to this case and another one.
Trump Faced Charges in Document Case Last Year
Trump was indicted at the federal level in Miami, Florida last year in the document case. He is accused of unlawfully retaining highly confidential information from his service as President (2017-2021).
In August 2022, the FBI raided Trump's Florida home and seized multiple sets of documents labeled as top secret. Trump is also alleged to have conspired to obstruct justice: he is said to have attempted to destroy evidence from security cameras and had boxes of documents removed with the help of employees.
A successful appeal could result in the case being reinstated. However, even if that happens, it is considered unlikely for a trial to occur before the presidential election in November. Judge Cannon, who is responsible for the document case, was appointed by Trump. Critics accuse her of prolonging the process.
The United States Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, assigned Special Counsel Jack Smith to handle investigations related to former President Donald Trump's document case and another unrelated matter. Despite being indicted in Miami, Florida last year for unlawfully retaining confidential information from his presidency (2017-2021), the case against Trump was terminated by Judge Aileen Cannon in mid-July.
