Judge Aileen Cannon, Trump-Appointed Judge, to Preside Over Former President’s Indictment Case

A Miami federal courthouse saw former President Donald Trump arraigned on Friday after being indicted last week on 37 counts for his alleged mishandling of classified documents. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge in her early 40s who has spent two and a half years on the bench, will preside over at least the initial proceeding.

Cannon, who has repeatedly ruled in Trump’s favor in a related case, will guide how quickly the case goes to trial, oversee the selection of jurors and determine what evidence can be presented to the jury. CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman believes Trump’s defense strategy will be to delay, and that the defense will file motions to dismiss the case.

The indictment of Donald Trump is filled with startling new accounts of how the former president allegedly mishandled classified information. Experts believe the trial could influence the American public’s trust in the fairness of the court system for years to come.

The Justice Department will face unique challenges with Cannon presiding over the case. Klieman says, “Defense always looks at delay, delay, delay, and Donald Trump is the champion of delay. At the same time, you’re going to see motion upon motion to dismiss this case because that’s the only place that they could put their eggs in that basket.” It remains to be seen how Cannon will handle the case, and how it will ultimately be resolved.