The least experienced judges in the most complex trials

At 38, Eileen Cannon was very young and poorly qualified when Donald Trump, shortly after losing the 2020 presidential election—but before leaving the White House—appointed her as judge in the Southern District of Florida. In her previous job, she served as the Assistant United States Attorney in the Sunshine State. Less than three years later, his expertise is still very limited: according to The New York TimesI presided over a total of four criminal trials – for minor cases that were settled within 14 hours in total. And happily, she inherited the most complex and personal trial of all, that of the president who appointed her for life.

As explained times in conditionMost criminal cases that end up before federal judges are settled before a trial begins. However, Donald Trump and his lawyers will undoubtedly want to put this inexperienced judge to the test by doubling down on requests to remove certain incriminating evidence, including notes by one of Trump’s lawyers or an incriminating audio recording of Trump, or again to challenge the methods. of investigators in a complex dossier that touches on matters of national security that are likely to destabilize the most experienced judges.

But Judge Cannon isn’t just inexperienced. It is also suspected of being biased in favor of Trump. During the Department of Justice’s investigation of classified files, it has already made decisions that have stunned attorneys of all persuasions. At a request by Trump’s lawyer that most experts would consider outlandish, not only did he deny investigators access to documents discovered by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago, but he also supported an unprecedented legal theory. Executive privilege. A privilege that Trump can no longer claim as a former president!

Three judges of the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, a court known for its conservatism, have strongly rejected Judge Cannon’s decisions. Two of these justices were appointed by Trump and the other by George W. Bush.

With suspicions of bias hanging over her, Cannon may choose to recuse herself. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith can ask her to recuse and, if she refuses, appeal her decision. But these scenarios are unlikely, according to times. And this is how an inexperienced and potentially biased judge, who was also appointed by Trump when he just lost the 2020 presidential election, can help a defendant survive the most serious charges ever brought against him. As former boxing promoter Don King and close friend of Trump, who was also a convict, said: Only in America.

Note: Day 3 of the second campaign for this blog in 2023 is going well. Thanks to all who have already contributed, as well as to others who will do so by the end of the evening!

(AP Photo)