Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment

WASHINGTON — The federal judge handling former President Donald Trump’s secret documents case in Florida has dismissed the prosecution over concerns about the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday granted the defense’s motion to dismiss the case, throwing out a charge that was seen at the time as the most dangerous of Trump’s many legal threats.

Trump’s lawyers argued that special counsel Jack Smith was appointed illegally, in violation of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.

Smith’s team had vigorously contested the argument during Cannon hearings last month.

A spokesperson for the Smith team did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the Trump team also had no immediate comment.