Trump considers Aileen Cannon for attorney general role
Judge who dismissed Trump's case on attorney general list
A personnel roster circulating within Donald Trump’s campaign and transition team lists Aileen Cannon, the federal judge who dismissed Trump’s classified documents case, as a potential attorney general candidate, according to multiple sources.
A document titled “Transition Planning: Legal Principals,” reviewed by ABC News, includes Cannon’s name among potential staff for the White House counsel’s office, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and U.S. attorneys’ offices. This list was created by Trump’s top advisers, with input from Boris Epshteyn, who oversees Trump’s legal team.
Cannon is listed second, following former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, among nearly a dozen candidates for attorney general. Her name was added after the classified documents case was dismissed this summer.
SCOTUS pick list circulating within Trump's campaign and transition operation lists Aileen Cannon, the federal judge who threw out Trump's classified documents case, as a possible candidate for attorney general. #Mob https://t.co/0YexDlptjT
— Karol Cummins – New Acct (@karolcummins) October 23, 2024
Trump nominated Cannon as a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Florida in 2020. He has praised her for dismissing the 40 criminal counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith related to Trump’s handling of classified materials after leaving the White House.
Cannon dismissed the case on the first day of the Republican National Convention in July, arguing that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional because he was not appointed by the president or confirmed by Congress. Smith has appealed the decision.
Cannon’s chambers did not respond to multiple emails seeking comment.
Cannon is one of several potentially controversial candidates for top law enforcement posts if Trump is reelected, sources said. Lists recommending Trump’s cabinet are preliminary and frequently updated. Trump has mostly resisted formal transition discussions with his inner circle.
Representatives for Trump’s campaign and transition teams did not respond to requests for comment.
Some transition documents propose veterans from the first Trump administration for top DOJ posts, including Clayton, former DOJ Office of Legal Counsel assistant attorney general Steve Engel, and former Bill Barr chief of staff Will Levi. Other candidates under consideration include those who have urged the former president to disregard the longstanding norms of independence between the White House and law enforcement agencies.
Potential candidates for attorney general include Jeffrey Clark, who pleaded not guilty after being indicted in Georgia for attempting to overturn the 2020 election; Mike Davis, who has posted controversial statements on social media targeting Trump’s political opponents, media members, and migrant children; and Mark Paoletta, a former White House lawyer and friend of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Documents also suggest Trump’s defence attorneys for top cabinet posts, including his lead attorney Todd Blanche, who is listed as a candidate for deputy attorney general and White House counsel, and is also being considered for FBI director. Stanley Woodward, who represented Trump valet Walt Nauta in the classified documents case, is also among those considered for top positions, including White House counsel.
It’s unclear if Cannon’s consideration by Trump’s team could influence Smith should an appeals court overturn her ruling. The special counsel’s office declined to comment.
Last week, Ryan Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida golf club, requested Cannon recuse herself from his case due to potential professional elevation by Trump if he is reelected. The DOJ opposes the motion, arguing it lacks authority for mandatory recusal.
Routh, who has pleaded not guilty to several federal charges, contended that Cannon “owes her lifetime appointment to the alleged victim in this criminal case.”
Regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ transition, two sources told ABC News that potential attorney general candidates include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, former Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams. A Harris transition spokesperson denied such lists as “pure fiction.”
Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric, threatening to prosecute political enemies if he wins the 2024 election. Attorney General Merrick Garland has refuted claims from Trump and his allies that Democrats have weaponized the Justice Department through prosecutions related to the Jan. 6 attack and Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate and co-chair of his transition team, recently stated that the attorney general is the second most important position in an administration, emphasizing the need for an attorney general who believes in equal justice.
What Other Media Are Saying
- NBC News reports that a Florida judge dismissed the Trump classified documents case, citing the unlawful funding and appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, highlighting constitutional concerns and potential appeal by the Justice Department.(read more)
- CNN reports that Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case against Donald Trump, citing the unconstitutional appointment of special counsel Jack Smith and questioning the funding of his office.(read more)
- NPR: Federal Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed charges against ex-President Donald Trump due to constitutional concerns, paving the way for a possible Supreme Court appeal over classified documents case.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Aileen Cannon?
Aileen Cannon is a federal judge nominated by Trump in 2020, known for dismissing Trump’s classified documents case.
Why was Aileen Cannon’s name mentioned in Trump’s transition planning document?
Cannon’s name appeared as a potential attorney general candidate after she dismissed Trump’s classified documents case.
What was Cannon’s main argument for dismissing Trump’s classified documents case?
Cannon argued that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional since he wasn’t appointed by the president or confirmed by Congress.
Who are some other candidates for top DOJ posts in Trump’s potential administration?
Candidates include Jay Clayton, Steve Engel, Will Levi, Jeffrey Clark, Mike Davis, and Mark Paoletta.
Has Trump commented on the transition planning documents?
His campaign and transition teams did not respond to requests for comment on the transition planning documents.
