Monica Lewinsky has joined a growing chorus of liberals calling for the impeachment of Judge Aileen Cannon over her handling of the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump. Cannon, a Trump appointee, has faced significant criticism for her rulings, many of which have been overturned, and for failing to expedite the case to trial before the upcoming November elections.
Lewinsky, the former White House intern and now an activist, expressed her frustration on social media. “I awakened angry about the documents case in Florida,” she wrote. “It is INSANE that it hasn’t moved forward to trial, and I hope Judge Cannon is impeached.” Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among Trump critics who believe Cannon’s actions have unduly favored the former president.
Cannon’s most recent actions include siding with prosecutors when Trump’s lawyers questioned the warrant that justified the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. However, she has also postponed a May trial date without scheduling a new one, increasing the likelihood that Trump will not face trial in the classified documents case before the elections.
Lewinsky’s social media rant continued, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation. “IF the documents had been declassified (which they weren’t) then all Trump had to do was xerox them and return originals that were being asked for and explain they were declassified (again, for those in back, which they weren’t),” she wrote. She further criticized Cannon’s handling of the case, suggesting that if it had been an honest mistake, Trump should have simply returned the documents, as other presidents have done when found with classified materials.
The case has been a source of frustration for many, with Cannon’s rulings often appearing to favor Trump. Her decision to postpone the trial indefinitely has only added to the controversy. Lewinsky’s comments highlight the broader concerns about the potential damage and danger posed by Cannon’s actions.
Cannon, who was confirmed by the Senate in November 2020, has limited experience in national security law and handling classified documents. Her courtroom in Fort Pierce, unlike federal courts in Miami, lacks a secure facility for document handling. This has raised questions about her suitability to preside over such a complex case.
Prosecutors, led by special counsel Jack Smith, successfully appealed one of Cannon’s orders that prevented the government from using classified documents seized from Trump during its investigation. The Appeals Court agreed with the Department of Justice’s contention that Cannon likely erred in exercising her jurisdiction.
Despite the mounting pressure, federal judges like Cannon have the discretion to decide whether to recuse themselves from a case. This has led to increasingly heated court clashes and filings, with Smith’s team calling one of Trump’s legal theories “pure fiction” and Cannon criticizing Smith’s prosecutors for demanding a speedy decision.
Trump has consistently blasted the case, federal prosecutors, and the FBI agents who searched Mar-a-Lago. If re-elected, he could potentially use his authority to try to shut down the case. However, the likelihood of the case going to trial before the November election remains slim.
Legal experts have described Cannon as “incompetently bad” and “wildly lawless,” with some predicting she could be removed from the case. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has the power to reassign a judge in cases where there is an appearance of impropriety or a lack of impartiality. However, trial judges have significant discretion, making reassignment orders challenging to implement.
Lewinsky’s call for impeachment, while resonant with many, faces significant hurdles. Impeaching a federal judge involves a process similar to that of impeaching a president. The House must vote to impeach, and if it passes, the Senate must convict. Historically, only 15 judges have been impeached, with just eight being successfully convicted and removed from the bench.
Given the current political landscape, with Republicans controlling the House, it is unlikely that they would move to impeach Cannon. Even if they did, it would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. Therefore, barring any egregious behavior from Cannon, she is likely to remain on the bench, whether or not she continues to preside over the Trump documents case.
Lewinsky’s impassioned plea underscores the deep frustrations and concerns surrounding Cannon’s handling of the case. As the legal battles continue, the spotlight remains on Cannon and the broader implications of her rulings.
Source: Newsweek, MSNBC, Politico
