In a recent report from The New York Times, it was revealed that two federal judges in south Florida advised District Judge Aileen Cannon to reconsider overseeing the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump in a case involving classified documents in 2023. The judges, including the district’s chief judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, recommended that Cannon step aside and allow another judge to handle the case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. Despite these suggestions, Cannon continues to preside over the case, which has faced numerous delays and has not yet been scheduled for trial.
Altonaga’s chambers declined to comment on the report when approached by CNN. The Times did not disclose the identity of the second judge who also reportedly contacted Cannon regarding the case.
Cannon’s handling of the lawsuit Trump filed challenging the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022 had previously attracted public scrutiny and a significant ruling by an appeals court. She has since faced criticism from legal scholars for her approach to the case, with some accusing her of intentionally slowing down the proceedings to delay any potential trial before the upcoming elections.
Critics of Cannon argue that she allows irrelevant legal matters to overshadow essential issues in the case, such as a motion from Trump to invalidate Jack Smith’s appointment as special counsel. This motion is expected to be debated extensively in the coming days. Attorneys who have appeared before Cannon have expressed frustration over her strict enforcement of technical filing requirements and her management of the case docket, leading to unresolved pretrial disputes lingering for extended periods without resolution.
