In Shocking Twist, Judge Aileen Cannon Sides With Donald Trump. Again.
Above the Law
by Kathryn RubinoFebruary 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Judge Aileen Cannon has once again ruled in favor of Donald Trump, this time blocking the release of a classified report by Special Counsel Jack Smith. In her ruling, Cannon argued that Smith's appointment was unconstitutional and that releasing the report would cause "manifest injustice." This decision further solidifies her reputation as a judge closely aligned with Trump and his supporters.
Cannon's reasoning directly contradicts decades of legal precedent, which generally uphold the constitutionality of special counsel appointments. Her decision follows her previous rulings, including dismissing charges against Trump in the classified documents case. After Trump won the 2024 election, the DOJ dropped appeals related to this case, aligning with Cannon's stance.
American Oversight and the Knight First Amendment Institute sought to challenge Cannon's ruling by requesting the release of the report. However, Cannon delayed her response until pressured by the Eleventh Circuit Court for an undue delay. Trump personally intervened, filing a motion to permanently block the report's release. The DOJ, now under Trump's leadership,
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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/23/2026