Judge dismisses Trump’s classified documents case, rules special counsel unlawfully appointed | 15 July 2024 | The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case in the Southern District of Florida dismissed the case Monday on constitutional grounds. “The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution,” Judge Aileen Cannon wrote in her order granting Trump’s motion to dismiss. The judge ruled that no federal statute cited by the Justice Department authorized the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith by the Attorney General, meaning he has no authority to prosecute the case.