Newsweek reported that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has paused multiple deadlines in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case, causing significant concern among legal analysts.
This decision follows Trump's request for further discussions on presidential immunity and could notably delay the trial, impacting presidential power and accountability.
Former President Donald Trump is facing a Department of Justice indictment for allegedly retaining classified materials after leaving office in January 2021 and obstructing federal efforts to retrieve them. Trump has pleaded not guilty and firmly asserts his innocence.
On Saturday, Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed, issued a paperless order halting several key deadlines in the case. The order comes in response to a request from Trump's legal team for further deliberation on presidential immunity, which follows a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court determined that Trump is entitled to presumptive immunity from prosecution for all "official acts" carried out while in office. This ruling has expansive implications, and Cannon's decision now affects deadlines related to expert information sharing, reciprocal discovery, and submission procedures for classified documents.
Both legal teams have been given two weeks to present arguments on the necessity of further immunity discussions. Special counsel Jack Smith has expressed concerns about the trial's delay, emphasizing the national security risks posed by the classified nature of the documents involved.
Legal analyst Glenn Kirschner has been vocal about Judge Cannon's actions. He described the situation as "putting the entire case 'in reverse.'" Kirschner noted that Judge Cannon has yet to act on a motion filed in May by Special counsel Jack Smith, which requested a modification of Trump’s release conditions to prevent him from making statements that endanger law enforcement.
Conversely, Cannon quickly responded within 24 hours to Trump's attorneys, entering an order that Kirschner interprets as regressive to the case's progress.
Prosecutors have also sought a gag order on Trump, alleging his false claims about the FBI's instructions to use lethal force during the Mar-a-Lago raid in August 2022. The FBI has clarified that the "deadly force" language is standard protocol in search warrant requests.
As the debate continues, Newsweek has contacted the DOJ and Trump's office for further comments. Trump's legal team perceives the pause as a victory for addressing immunity issues.
Kirschner raised concerns about the potential long-term implications of the Supreme Court's ruling, which he believes grants presidents "monarch-like" power, allowing them to act with impunity and immunity. The case thus poses critical questions about the balance between ensuring a fair trial and mitigating national security threats.
He emphasized that the Department of Justice is in a challenging position. He rhetorically questioned what the DOJ could do to dismiss the case, suggesting that Trump aims to regain presidential power to utilize his broad immunity.
In summary, Judge Aileen Cannon has introduced significant delays in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity has major implications for the case and American presidential power. Legal analysts like Glenn Kirschner are critical of these developments, citing potential risks to national security and fairness in the legal system.
