Saturday, June 22, 2024

Judge Cannon Questions Merrick Garland’s Oversight During Hearing on Validity of Jack Smith’s Special Counsel Appointment – Here Are the Details

Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday heard challenges to Jack Smith's special counsel appointment.

President Trump previously filed a motion to dismiss Jack Smith's classified documents charges based on the "Unlawful appointment and funding of Special Counsel." Day one of the expanded evidentiary hearing was held on Friday.

According to NBC News, President Trump's lawyers "Argued that an officer like the special counsel must be appointed "by law" and that the special counsel should be categorized as a "principal officer" and subject to Senate confirmation.

The statutory text cited by the special counsel's office "does not authorize" the U.S. attorney general's appointment of the special counsel, his lawyer, Emil Bove, argued.

Cannon appeared skeptical of Trump's legal team's argument that a special counsel is a "Principal officer." The defense argued that giving an attorney general power to appoint a special counsel with the authority of a US Attorney is akin to a shadow government.

Top DOJ official Jeff Clark called Cannon's questions about Merrick Garland's oversight "Critical." "Before court adjourned, Cannon asked prosecutors and the defense to file any supplemental materials, including statutory citations and case law, in filings with a maximum of five pages." NBC News reported.

Judge Cannon last month indefinitely postponed the classified documents case after Special Counsel Jack Smith admitted to tampering with evidence. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/06/judge-cannon-holds-hearing-validity-jack-smiths-special/

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