World

Jack Smith Seeks To Reinstate Trump Case, Criticises Dismissal Ruling

Special Counsel Jack Smith is seeking to reinstate the classified documents case against former president Donald Trump following its dismissal last month by Judge Aileen Cannon. In a brief submitted to the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Monday, Smith contended that Cannon’s ruling to terminate the case on the grounds that the prosecutors’ office lacked constitutional authority was “novel” and “lack[ed] merit.”

Cannon had ruled that the Justice Department lacked the authority to appoint or fund special counsels such as Smith. Smith’s team argued that Cannon’s decision not only impacts other special counsel cases—such as those involving Trump and Hunter Biden—but could also influence the authority of leaders across the federal government, according to CNN.

“If the Attorney General lacks the power to appoint inferior officers, that conclusion would invalidate the appointment of every member of the Department who exercises significant authority and occupies a continuing office, other than the few that are specifically identified by statute,” Smith’s office wrote in the 81-page filing.

“The district court’s rationale would likewise raise questions about hundreds of appointments throughout the Executive Branch, including in the Departments of Defence, State, Treasury, and Labor,” the prosecutors added.

Last summer, Trump was charged with multiple counts of mishandling sensitive government documents taken from the White House at the end of his presidency. Additionally, the Republican presidential nominee faces several obstruction charges related to alleged attempts to obstruct the federal investigation into these materials.

Trump and his two co-defendants—who are also accused of obstruction—have pleaded not guilty. The 11th Circuit is reviewing Cannon’s findings that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional and that his office’s funding was unlawfully allocated, as reported by CNN.

While other courts have upheld the use of special counsels, Cannon determined that Congress had not granted the Justice Department the authority to make such an appointment and concluded that the funding for Smith’s office had not been properly appropriated by lawmakers.

 

 

Akanksha Vatsya

Recent Posts

Devender Yadav Vows to Serve as ‘Son of the Soil’ with Commitment to Public Welfare

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, accompanied by Jharkhand Minister for Panchayati Raj Dipika Pandey Singh,…

1 minute ago

Gut Microbes and Hormones: The Hidden Drivers of Your Sweet Tooth

The relationship between gut microbes, hormones, and dietary preferences is a fascinating area of study…

3 hours ago

Environmental Impact of ChatGPT: Linked to Los Angeles Wildfires Debate

AI systems like ChatGPT have been linked to environmental concerns, with reports showing their significant…

3 hours ago

Kathmandu Court Grants Rabi Lamichhane Bail of Rs 6 Million in Fraud Case

Rabi Lamichhane, RSP chief and ex-home minister, secures bail in the Swarnalakshmi Cooperative fraud case…

3 hours ago

Metformin: A Diabetes Drug That May Help Prevent Skin Cancer

Metformin, the widely prescribed drug for managing type 2 diabetes, has recently gained attention for…

4 hours ago

Wildfire Smoke 10 Times More Toxic Than Pollution, Stanford Report Reveals

California wildfires leave destruction in their wake, with Stanford experts warning of the underestimated dangers…

4 hours ago