Florida Judge Questions Classified Documents Case Against Trump

The judge presiding over former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case in Florida recently questioned why he was the only U.S. president to be charged with willfully retaining sensitive documents.

U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, while reviewing several motions the former president filed to dismiss the case, pointed out that no former president had faced criminal charges over their handling of classified material, according to NBC News.

The former president’s attorneys cited Special Counsel Robert Hur’s recent decision to let President Joe Biden off the hook over his illegal possession of classified documents.

“Even with other former presidents, there was never a situation remotely similar to this one,” prosecutor Jay Bratt told the Florida judge.

Hur previously appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to defend his report, detailing Biden’s weakening cognitive abilities and inability to stand trial. Republicans in the chamber suggested there was a double standard in charging Trump but not Biden.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, responsible for indicting the former president in Florida, cited Hur’s report while opposing Trump’s motions to dismiss the case based on “selective and vindictive prosecution.”

“Most notably, Trump, unlike Biden, is alleged to have engaged in extensive and repeated efforts to obstruct justice and thwart the return of documents bearing classification markings,” Smith alleged.

Concerning the former president’s motion to dismiss, the Florida judge said during the hearing that it would be an “extraordinary step” to toss the case given Trump’s argument that the law behind his indictment is “unconstitutionally vague,” according to WND. Cannon questioned whether it would be “premature” to dismiss the case because of the Presidential Records Act.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he deliberately retained classified documents upon departing the White House in 2021. The former president is facing several counts, including willful retention of national defense information, false statements and representations and conspiracy to obstruct justice, among other charges.

Upon leaving the courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, the former president did not speak to reporters. He sent a message on Truth Social, saying, “Big crowds in Fort Pierce, Florida, for the Biden induced Witch Hunt against his political opponent, ME! Thank you, a great honor to have you here.”