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    Trump just avoided 40 felony counts

    enJuly 17, 2024
    What were the felony charges against Trump related to?
    Who recently dismissed Trump's case regarding classified documents?
    How has Disney's growth impacted its core identity?
    What is the focus of the podcast "The Council"?
    What are Judge Aileen Cannon's views on procedural missteps?

    Podcast Summary

    • Trump legal case dismissal, Disney identityFormer President Trump faced felony charges for obstructing the retrieval of classified documents from Mar-a-Lago, but the case was recently dismissed. Disney is facing questions about maintaining its iconic identity amidst growth and expansion.

      Former President Trump faced felony charges for allegedly obstructing efforts to retrieve classified documents from his Mar-a-Lago residence, but a federal judge recently dismissed the case. Meanwhile, Disney, once known for its tradition and memory-making, is facing questions about whether its tremendous growth has eroded its core identity. In the legal sphere, the new podcast "The Council" aims to provide insight into complex legal issues shaping the country. Trump is accused of hoarding sensitive government documents and obstructing their retrieval, leading to a subpoena and eventual search of Mar-a-Lago. Trump and two associates were charged, but the case was recently dismissed. Disney, on the other hand, is grappling with maintaining its iconic identity as it continues to grow.

    • Constitutionality of Special Counsel appointmentJudge Aileen Cannon ruled that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith in the Trump classified documents case was unconstitutional, potentially dismissing 40 felony counts and preventing a significant prison term for Trump.

      A federal judge, Aileen Cannon, dismissed the indictment against Donald Trump and his co-defendants in the classified documents case based on the argument that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional. Trump's legal team had argued that Smith's appointment lacked sufficient checks and balances due to the scale of his prosecutorial authority. The ruling was significant, with congressional leaders weighing in on the implications. If Trump had been found guilty of the 40 felony counts, he could have faced a significant prison term. The Mar-a-Lago case was considered one of the strongest against Trump due to the evidence, much of which came from his own lawyers, and his alleged actions after leaving the presidency. The evidence included photos of classified documents stored haphazardly throughout Mar-a-Lago, including the ballroom, bedroom, bathroom, and shower.

    • Trump indictment appealJudge Cannon's dismissal of the Trump indictment has been met with criticism and plans for an appeal, with legal experts believing the appeal process may provide an opportunity to remove the judge from the case due to past controversial rulings.

      A Florida judge's decision to dismiss an indictment against former President Donald Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith's team has been met with criticism and plans for an appeal. The ruling, made by Judge Aileen Cannon in the 11th Circuit, deviates from previous court decisions on the Attorney General's authority to appoint a Special Counsel. The dismissal of the case came when a trial date was not in sight, but the special counsel team has announced their intention to appeal. Legal experts believe that the appeal process may provide an opportunity to remove Judge Cannon from the case due to her past controversial rulings. The case, which centers around Trump's handling of classified documents, is now in the hands of the 11th Circuit, where the special counsel team will argue for the case's revival.

    • Marketing Tools for Small Businesses, Legal SphereMarketing tools have evolved significantly, small businesses can benefit from using platforms like Constant Contact for growth, while in the legal sphere, Judge Aline Cannon, a Trump appointee, is known for her strict sentencing and prickly conduct on the bench.

      Communication tools for businesses have evolved significantly over time, from town criers and church door notices to the internet and social media. For small business owners, keeping up with these various marketing channels can be overwhelming. Constant Contact, an award-winning marketing platform, can help businesses grow and thrive with a free trial available at constantcontact.com. Moving on to the legal sphere, Judge Aline Cannon, a Trump appointee, made headlines for her role in a high-profile case. Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Cannon's mother's escape from Cuba inspired her to pursue a career in the US legal system. After starting off as a federal prosecutor, she moved on to appellate work and eventually took the bench in 2020. Despite her limited trial experience, she's gained a reputation for handing down stiff sentences, particularly in cases of illegal reentry into the US. Her conduct from the bench has also been described as prickly, with a tendency to focus on procedural missteps. Some lawyers see insecurity in her approach, but others view her as young and inexperienced. Overall, Cannon's record as a federal judge remains a topic of debate.

    • Special Counsel ConstitutionalityJudge Eileen Cannon's ruling on Trump case could impact future Special Counsel investigations significantly, potentially leading to further appeals or even Supreme Court review, as it questions the constitutionality of Special Counsel appointments

      The ruling by Judge Eileen Cannon in the Trump case, which questions the constitutionality of the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith, could significantly impact the future of Special Counsel investigations. If her ruling is overturned, she may be removed from the case, but if it's upheld, it could lead to further appeals or even a Supreme Court review. The Special Counsel office came into prominence during the Watergate era and has been used frequently in recent years, including during the Trump administration. Critics argue that these appointments are unconstitutional because the Special Counsels are not confirmed by the Senate, unlike U.S. attorneys. However, the Justice Department maintains that they are inferior officers whom the Attorney General can appoint to carry out their mission to enforce the laws of the United States. Trump's argument against this appointment could potentially challenge the Special Counsel framework as we know it.

    • Trump legal peril, Supreme CourtJudge Cannon's ruling in the Trump Mar-a-Lago case may indicate a potential inclination towards the same viewpoint at the Supreme Court, but the case is not yet at that stage and the outcome remains unpredictable

      While Donald Trump is not currently in legal peril due to the specific case discussed in the episode, the ruling made by Judge Cannon, who cited Justice Clarence Thomas' opinions three times, could indicate a potential inclination towards the same viewpoint at the Supreme Court. However, it's important to note that the case is not yet at that stage, and the appeal process to the 11th Circuit is expected to take many months. The outcome of the case remains unpredictable, as the modern-day Supreme Court often sees unusual alliances among justices. The wheels of justice turn slowly, and we are not close to the point of this case reaching the Supreme Court. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlain and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Matthew Collette, fact-checked by Harry Milwaukee, and engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristin's daughter. I am Noel King, and this has been Today Explained.

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