Judge dismisses charges in Trump classified documents case

Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges against former U.S. President Donald Trump. The case concerns his retention of classified documents after the end of his presidency.

The judge ruled that Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump, was appointed unlawfully.

Cannon stated in her decision published on Monday that Prosecutor Smith's investigation "violates two structural cornerstones of our constitutional system—the role of Congress in appointing constitutional officers and the role of Congress in approving expenditures by law."

Trump was accused by Smith of willfully retaining documents containing national defense information. The case was widely regarded as the strongest of the four brought against Trump.

The White House does not comment on the case, reports CNN. When asked, an official referred reporters to the Department of Justice.

President Joe Biden last addressed the charges against Trump during a rally in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday.

"He still faces charges of mishandling classified information, which is a crime," Biden said at the time, portraying Trump "as a person unfit for the presidency," reports CNN.

Donald Trump has not yet commented on the matter. The former president attended the Republican convention in Wisconsin.