Appeals Court Agrees to Toss Trump Classified Docs Case

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted Special Counsel Jack Smith's request to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s Florida case, effectively concluding the effort to prosecute Trump for retaining documents with classified markings after leaving office.

This decision brings an end to the legal battle over Trump’s alleged possession of classified materials. However, the case will still proceed for his co-defendants, valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira. The court’s ruling fulfills Smith's request to drop the appeal in relation to Trump.

Smith cited Trump’s impending inauguration and Justice Department guidelines, which bar the prosecution of sitting presidents, as key reasons for seeking dismissal. Additionally, Smith has moved to dismiss the election interference case against Trump without prejudice.

Previously, Smith had challenged Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of the classified materials case, which was based on her ruling that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional. Liberals criticized Cannon’s decision, arguing it conflicted with decades of rulings on special counsel regulations, and pointed out that the appellate court had overturned one of her prior decisions.

“This case was significant, focusing primarily on Trump’s actions after leaving the White House,” The Hill reported. “It was considered one of Smith’s stronger cases, particularly after the Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy broad immunity for conduct while in office.” Prosecutors had charged Trump under the Espionage Act and for obstruction of justice, alleging he defied requests and a subpoena to return White House records.

Meanwhile, Trump reportedly has plans to dismiss Jack Smith and his entire team, including career attorneys traditionally shielded from political retaliation, upon taking office. According to The Washington Post, Trump aims to “clean out ‘the bad guys, the people who went after me,’” as stated by a source close to the president-elect.

Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, reinforced this stance: “President Trump campaigned on firing rogue bureaucrats who have engaged in the illegal weaponization of our American justice system, and the American people can expect he will deliver on that promise.”

House Republicans have also indicated that they expect all individuals involved in Smith’s investigations to preserve their communications, signaling possible congressional inquiries into Smith and his team.

Trump’s plans extend beyond personnel changes. Reports suggest he intends to use the Justice Department to investigate the 2020 election, which he claims was marred by widespread fraud—a claim that numerous investigations have found unsubstantiated.

Smith is reportedly preparing to step down from his role. According to CNN, he is in discussions with DOJ leaders about winding down the cases against Trump, including the Jan. 6 investigation and the classified documents appeal. These talks involve decisions about the special counsel’s office, including its budget and personnel.

Before leaving, Smith is required to submit a report on his work to Attorney General Merrick Garland. The timeline for this submission may depend on whether the intelligence community needs to review it. The New York Times reported that Smith aims to finalize the report before Trump takes office.

Justice Department policy and a recent Supreme Court ruling grant sitting presidents immunity from prosecution for actions taken within their constitutional powers. This protection poses a significant hurdle for any ongoing legal cases against Trump once he assumes the presidency.

Smith’s team is also determining the fate of other defendants and unresolved legal matters. In Florida, he has appealed Judge Cannon’s ruling dismissing the classified documents case, while in Washington, D.C., prosecutors continue to pursue charges alleging Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election.