Trump judge issues classified documents order that leaves legal experts baffled
The IndependentSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing Donald Trump’s classified documents case in Florida, has issued an unusual order concerning jury instructions that has left legal observers baffled. During that hearing, Judge Cannon appeared sceptical that neither Mr Trump’s criticism of the Espionage Act nor his embrace of the Presidential Records Act were strong enough arguments to dismiss the charges against him. If that were the case, then just grant Trump’s motion to dismiss on PRA grounds so DOJ bring it to the 11th circuit for a quick reversal.” Longtime Trump foe George Conway was even more scathing: “In the decades that I have been a lawyer, this is the most bizarre order I’ve ever seen issued by a federal judge. Mr Eisen states that while Mr Trump’s legal team argues that, under the PRA, the former president can decide unilaterally what he can keep hold of by simply saying it is personal, the statute in no way stretches the definition to encompass sensitive classified documents – just purely private ones not related to the duties of the president.