Legal experts skewer Cannon’s 'remarkable' defiance against federal judges’ request

20 June 2024

U.S District Judge Aileen Cannon has been staunchly criticized by legal experts for both her incompetency and favor towards Donald Trump in his Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.

According to a Thursday New York Times report, the Trump-appointed judge was told by "at least two federal judges" not to take up the case "involving extremely sensitive classified documents, but refused to step aside and allow a more experienced judge preside.

MSNBC's Kyle Griffin reported: "One of the judges who approached Aileen Cannon about passing on the classified documents case was Cecilia Altonaga — the chief judge in the Southern District of Florida."

Cannon has since indefinitely delayed the trial, meaning that it will likely begin after the November election.

Several legal and accountability experts responded to the Times' report via social media.

Co-founder & Executive Director, Court Accountability Alex Aronson replied: What comes after jumping the shark? Because that’s where we are with Aileen Cannon and these crooked Federalist Society courts.

University of Texas law professor Lee Kovarsky commented: I'm not sure what to make of this story, except to say that it's remarkable to have two senior judges gently tell you that you're incompetent and/or perceived as too biased and then to actually go out there and prove it on the field.

Veteran Washington Post journalist Jonathan Greenberg added: "The fascist judiciary coup plot thickens, yet again...."