By every interpretation of the law — regardless of what Thomas may have written as part of a totally unrelated case — Smith should prevail in his appeal. Cannon can't value Thomas' opinion over 50 years of precedent. Although Smith didn't request that Cannon be removed from this case, there's a chance the appeals court will look at her numerous questionable rulings and decide to make a change.
Cannon's ruling was constitutionally sound based on the separation of powers and the powers that were granted to Congress in terms of appointments. This appeal is just continuing to divide a nation that's had to deal with too many politically motivated criminal cases brought by the Biden administration's Justice Department. All other cases against Trump should be similarly dropped.