Just days after former President Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed his classified documents case. Several Florida and Arizona Republicans took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the news, praising Cannon's decision.
Cannon's 93-page decision cites the lack of Presidential or Senate approval of Special Counsel Jack Smith as the primary factor in dismissing the case, an argument made by Trump's defense lawyers. Cannon, a Trump appointee, had previously delayed the trial to after the November election and had supposedly been pressured by Southern District Chief Justice Cecilia Altonaga into letting a more liberal-leaning judge handle the case.
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) attacked Smith in his post, saying, "[Cannon's] decision confirms what all of us knew already—that Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed, and his political persecutions of President Trump are entirely invalid. Private citizen Jack Smith is not an employee of the Department of Justice and should immediately shut his offices and stop illegally spending taxpayer money."
I applaud Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision dismissing the Trump documents case in federal court in the free State of Florida.
Her decision confirms what all of us knew already—that Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed, and his political persecutions of President Trump are entirely…
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) July 15, 2024
Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) similarly said, "Smith is acting illegally!"
Smith is acting illegally! https://t.co/UdcBCdSwxE
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) July 15, 2024
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) called Cannon's decision "A big win!"
A big win! https://t.co/37JVRNZDtF
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) July 15, 2024
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) both simply declared, "Dismissed!"
Dismissed!
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 15, 2024
DISMISSED 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) July 15, 2024
Several Arizona Republicans were equally celebratory, as Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) echoed Rep. Gaetz by calling Jack Smith "a rogue prosecutor appointed by a hyper-partisan DOJ who has no constitutional right to pursue such a case against the former and future President."
"Joe Biden and the Democrat's lawfare is failing. We the people will decide the election, not partisan prosecutors," she added.
Judge Cannon did the right thing by dismissing the unconstitutional Special Counsel case in Florida.
Jack Smith is a rogue prosecutor appointed by a hyper-partisan DOJ who has no constitutional right to pursue such a case against the former and future President.
Joe Biden and… pic.twitter.com/QkFhsmOxW4
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) July 15, 2024
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said, "This is a huge win for our constitutional republic and the rule of law. The weaponized DOJ cannot unconstitutionally appoint special counsels to prosecute political opponents."
This is a huge win for our constitutional republic and the rule of law.
The weaponized DOJ cannot unconstitutionally appoint special counsels to prosecute political opponents. https://t.co/AqUhYyL1wE
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) July 15, 2024
Representative Paul Gosar's (R-AZ) terse response to the news was, "One witch hunt case rightfully dismissed!"
One witch hunt case rightfully dismissed!
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) July 15, 2024
