Loose Cannon
AtlanticJun 19
Trump Lawyers Challenge Jack Smith's Appointment
story
Above: Special counsel Jack Smith Image copyright: Drew Angerer/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Lawyers, who are defending former Pres. Donald Trump in his criminal case related to his handling of classified documents, Friday kicked off three days of hearings by arguing the case should be dismissed because the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) special counsel Jack Smith was illegally appointed.
Trump lawyer Emil Bove pressed the case to Judge Aileen Cannon by saying Smith lacks "a superior who is operating with sufficient oversight authority over his decisions." Bove's chosen argument has failed to deter special counsels involved in past politically sensitive cases.
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
This unprecedented motion could've been dismissed without a hearing, but Cannon can't help but do Trump's bidding. She's issued a series of questionable rulings in Trump's favor and has scheduled several more hearings on motions that are usually rejected without being heard. Of course, what she's doing most of all to benefit Trump is delaying this trial into a future where he may once again be president.
Pro-Trump narrative
For once, the deck isn't stacked against Trump because Cannon is running this case fairly. Democrats and other enemies of Trump can't stand that, and they're also concerned that under these circumstances this ridiculous case will be thrown out. So calling for Cannon to recuse herself and criticizing her holding hearings on motions are just desperate swipes from those who want this partisan witch hunt to continue.
