Legal experts are criticizing U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon for her handling of Donald Trump’s classified documents case. The judge recently rebuked special counsel Jack Smith for informing her about the former president’s motion to delay the trial in Washington, D.C. This, along with her indication that she may further delay the trial as requested by the defense, has raised concerns among former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance.
Vance expressed her disagreement with Cannon’s criticism of prosecutors, describing it as “off base.” She argued that Cannon should remember that the case revolves around allegations of crimes related to the mishandling of highly classified documents by a former president, allegations that are supported by evidence obtained through a court-ordered search warrant. Vance also suggested that Cannon’s actions seem to be turning the case into a personal grudge match with the Special Counsel’s office.
The criticism against Cannon extends beyond Vance. Former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman tweeted that Cannon is biased and lacks the necessary skills for the job. He suggested that she needs to improve her understanding of the duties of a judge. Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, expressed confusion over Cannon’s decision-making process. He questioned whether she truly believes the case is too complicated to be tried in May, despite the ample preparation time available to the lawyers.
The concerns raised by legal experts stem from their perception that Cannon may be favoring Trump in the case. The experts argue that the trial should proceed promptly, considering that the defense has had months to prepare and will have several more months before May. They point out that Trump’s D.C. case, although more complex, is progressing swiftly. The experts’ comments underscore the growing unease surrounding Cannon’s handling of the high-profile case.
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