Report: Judge Cannon on Trump's List as Potential AG

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Facts

  • Judge Aileen Cannon, who threw out the federal classified documents case against former Pres. Donald Trump, has reportedly appeared on one of the GOP nominee's campaign documents, listed as a potential attorney general in the case that Trump secures second presidential term.[1]
  • The document, titled 'Transition Planning: Legal Principals,' which has been reviewed by ABC News, reportedly also suggests potential staffing for the FBI, Justice Department, and US attorneys' offices, as well as the White House counsel's office.[1]
  • 43-year-old Cannon — appointed to the bench by Trump at the Southern District of Florida in 2020 — dismissed special counsel Jack Smith's case over Trump's handling of classified documents in July, ruling Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. Smith has appealed the result.[2][3]
  • Cannon has also previously granted several delay requests from Trump's legal team, many of which were appealed and overturned by higher courts.[4]
  • After the ABC News report was made public, the federal public defense team for Ryan Routh — who stands accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in July — filed a document supporting its previous request that Cannon recuse herself from the case.[5][6]
  • ABC was unable to obtain comment from Cannon, while its sources close to Trump's transition team stated that any list of potential staffers is preliminary and undergoing frequent revision.[1]

Sources: [1]ABCNews.com, [2]Newsmax, [3]Daily Wire, [4]Truthout, [5]Law & Crime and [6]New York Post.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Even for Trump, this quid pro quo is beyond corrupt. As a reward for blocking him from federal prosecution, an inexperienced judge — whose peers have said on record does not understand the law — could be nominated as the US' top lawyer. The leaking of this list undermines justice by incentivizing Cannon to refuse to recuse herself from ongoing cases and instead to rule in Trump's favor.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Federalist. Cannon took the same oath as every other judge in the US to enforce justice 'faithfully and impartially.' The idea that she's done anything in the name of a bias toward Trump is baseless criticism from those opposing the Republican. If Trump believes Cannon's qualified to be the next attorney general, he has every right to appoint her if reelected.

Predictions