Trump claims ‘he doesn’t know’ the controversial Florida Judge that saved him from almost certain prison sentence
Florida – On Friday, President Donald Trump raised questions about the legality of the criticisms directed at Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who presided over his case involving mishandled classified documents. Trump, speaking at the Department of Justice, expressed concerns about the negative comments aimed at Cannon, suggesting that such criticisms might be illegal.
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee to the Southern District of Florida, has been a focal point due to her controversial decisions in Trump’s federal case. Last July, she made headlines when she dismissed the case against Trump, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith was not properly appointed. Her decision received applause from Republican circles, particularly those aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement.
During his speech, Trump praised Judge Cannon for her conduct and professionalism.
“We had an amazing judge in Florida, and her name is Aileen Cannon,” he said. “And I didn’t know her; I still don’t know her. I don’t believe I ever spoke to her even during the trial. But I did appoint her, federal judge. And these fake lawyers, these horrible human beings were hitting her so hard.
Trump further highlighted that despite the severe criticism, Cannon remained impartial and unaffected, which he considered a testament to her strength and judicial demeanor.
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Trump went on to say that she was the “model of what a judge should be,” that she was “tough.” The president called her “courageous” for how she handled the criticism, adding that it had no impact on her or his case.
However, the president’s comments about the legality of criticizing a federal judge sparked reactions from various legal experts and political figures. Dave Aronberg, former Palm Beach County State Attorney, responded to Trump’s claims on X, emphasizing the protection of such speech under the First Amendment.
“There’s that pesky thing called the First Amendment that protects such speech. It hasn’t been overturned yet by Executive Order, nor can it be,” Aronberg said on X as a response to Newsweek.
Others pointed out the irony in Trump’s remarks. Democratic political strategist Chris Jackson said on X, “So it’s not legal to criticize her, but they want to impeach judges they disagree with?”
Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, also commented on the symbolic nature of Trump’s speech, viewing it as a return of the political figure to the very institution he claims tried to undermine him.
As Trump concluded his remarks, he vowed to continue his efforts to “expel the rogue actors and corrupt forces” from the government, emphasizing his commitment to “restore the scales of justice in America.”
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The controversy surrounding Judge Cannon’s rulings and Trump’s defense of her, coupled with his critique of legal standards, underscores the ongoing tensions between political rhetoric and judicial independence. This event raises broader questions about the limits of public discourse and the enduring strength of constitutional protections in political debates.
