Judge ignored calls to decline Trump documents case
Aileen Cannon, who will oversee the former president's case, was appointed by Trump himself in late 2020
What happened
Aileen Cannon, the federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's classified documents case, rejected requests from two other Florida judges that she step down from the Trump case and allow a more experienced jurist with less baggage to step in instead, The New York Times said Thursday.
Who said what
Cannon, appointed by Trump in late 2020, was approached last year by two "more experienced colleagues on the federal bench in Florida" who encouraged her to "consider whether it would be better if she were to decline the high-profile case," the Times said. Cannon has "scant trial experience and had previously shown unusual favor to Mr. Trump."
"For context," said Steve Benen at MSNBC, one of the jurists who approached Cannon was Cecilia Altonaga, the chief judge in the Southern District of Florida and a George W. Bush appointee. Altonaga reportedly told Cannon it would look bad to accept the case after a conservative appellate panel had forcefully reversed her decision to side with Trump in a pre-indictment challenge. Overall, her "supervision of the case has alarmed legal experts on both sides of the aisle," The Hill said.
What next?
Cannon is "not subject to the authority of her district court elders" and can ignore their advice, the Times said. She has "indefinitely postponed the trial" even though prosecutors and Trump's lawyers "had told her they could be ready to start this summer."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
My Father's Fable: 'gripping' family drama that 'keeps you guessing' to the end
The Week Recommends Faith Omole's debut play explores complex relationships with 'flair'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Grizzly bears will be reintroduced to Washington state after years of debate
Under the radar Grr, the bears are back!
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The water war between the US and Mexico
The Explainer A conflict is flowing down the river
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Can Trump turn Michigan's Arab community red with help from his in-laws?
Today's Big Question How the former president plans to use anger over Biden's Gaza policy to win over a skeptical bloc in a crucial battleground state
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
UN-backed Kenyan force arrives in Haiti
Speed Read The mission is intended to combat the country's rampant gang violence
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boebert wins, Bowman loses in high-profile primaries
Speed Read Far-right media star Rep. Lauren Boebert won a crowded open primary in Colorado
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Making compensation more competitive with civilian careers is crucial'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Climate protests should be pro-humanity'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Gunmen in Dagestan hit churches, synagogues
Speed Read 19 people were killed in terrorist attacks targeting police and houses of worship in Russia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israeli defense chief visits US as Hezbollah tensions rise
Speed Read Yoav Gallant will hold talks with US officials in Washington this week
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'If they want to win over Gen Z, they'll need to use this time wisely'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published