A federal judge in Florida has dismissed the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, citing the unconstitutional appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith. The decision, handed down on July 15, 2024, marks a significant victory for Trump, who has consistently maintained his innocence in the matter.

The case, which was brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, accused Trump of mishandling classified documents and refusing to return them. However, Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump in 2020, ruled that Smith's appointment violated the Constitution's Appointments Clause, which governs the appointment of certain government positions.

In her 93-page order, Judge Cannon wrote, "The Framers gave Congress a pivotal role in the appointment of principal and inferior officers. That role cannot be usurped by the Executive Branch or diffused elsewhere — whether in this case or in another case, whether in times of heightened national need or not."

The ruling effectively brings an abrupt end to a case that was widely regarded as the most perilous of all the legal threats Trump faced. Defense lawyers had argued that Smith was illegally appointed and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.

A spokesman for the Smith team did not immediately return a request seeking comment, and the Trump team did not immediately have a comment.

The decision comes as a blow to the Justice Department, which had hoped to prosecute Trump on charges related to the classified documents case. However, the ruling also raises questions about the appointment of special counsels and the limits of executive power.

The case is likely to be appealed, but for now, Trump can breathe a sigh of relief as one of the major legal challenges he faced has been dismissed.