Aileen Cannon: Aileen Cannon is a federal judge who has been in the news a lot lately for her rulings in some high-profile cases. Some of her decisions have been praised, while others have been heavily criticized. Here are 11 of her most controversial moments:
1. The Trump Mar-a-Lago Case
In August 2022, Cannon ruled that a special master should be appointed to review documents seized from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. This decision was widely criticized by legal experts, who argued that it was unnecessary and could delay the investigation into Trump’s possible mishandling of classified documents. Cannon’s ruling was later overturned by an appeals court.
2. The Kyle Rittenhouse Case
In November 2021, Cannon acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on all charges stemming from the shooting deaths of two people and the wounding of a third during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Cannon’s decision was praised by conservatives, who argued that Rittenhouse was acting in self-defense, but it was criticized by liberals, who argued that he was a vigilante who should have been held accountable for his actions.
3. The COVID-19 Mask Mandate Case
In April 2022, Cannon struck down the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other public transportation. This decision was praised by Republicans, who argued that the mask mandate was an unconstitutional overreach of government power, but it was criticized by Democrats and public health experts, who argued that it would put people at risk of contracting COVID-19.
4. The Stonewall Jackson Statue Case
In October 2022, Cannon blocked the removal of a statue of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson from a public park in Jacksonville, Florida. Cannon’s decision was praised by those who believe that Confederate monuments should be preserved, but it was criticized by those who believe that they are symbols of racism and white supremacy.
5. The “Don’t Say Gay” Law Case
In June 2022, Cannon temporarily blocked the enforcement of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Cannon’s decision was praised by LGBTQ rights groups, but it was criticized by Republicans, who argued that it was an infringement on parents’ rights to control their children’s education.
6. The Parental Rights in Education Law Case
In July 2022, Cannon temporarily blocked the enforcement of another Florida law, the Parental Rights in Education Law, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Cannon’s decision was praised by LGBTQ rights groups, but it was criticized by Republicans, who argued that it was an infringement on parents’ rights to control their children’s education.
7. The Voting Rights Act Case
In January 2023, Cannon ruled that a provision of the Voting Rights Act that requires certain states to get federal approval for changes to their voting laws was unconstitutional. Cannon’s decision was praised by Republicans, who argued that the Voting Rights Act was outdated, but it was criticized by Democrats, who argued that it was necessary to protect minority voting rights.
8. The Census Citizenship Question Case
In July 2020, Cannon ruled that the Trump administration could add a question about citizenship to the 2020 census. This decision was widely criticized by Democrats and civil rights groups, who argued that it would discourage people from participating in the census, leading to an undercount of minority populations. Cannon’s decision was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
9. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Case
In December 2020, Cannon ruled that the Trump administration could end the DACA program, which protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation. This decision was widely criticized by Democrats and immigration rights groups, who argued that it would harm hundreds of thousands of people who have grown up in the United States. Cannon’s decision was later overturned by an appeals court.
10. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Case
In June 2022, Cannon ruled that the EPA could not regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. This decision was praised by industry groups, but it was criticized by environmental groups, who argued that it would make it harder to address climate change. Cannon’s decision is currently being appealed.
11. The Gun Control Case
In July 2023, Cannon blocked a federal law banning bump stocks, which are devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire like automatic weapons. Cannon’s decision was praised by gun rights groups.
WRITTEN BY ALEX
FAQs and answers
1. What was Judge Aileen Cannon’s role in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case?
Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by former President Donald Trump, presided over the case involving classified documents seized from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. In July 2024, she dismissed the indictment against Trump, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional.
2. Why did Judge Cannon’s decision to appoint a special master in the Mar-a-Lago case draw criticism?
In 2023, Judge Cannon granted Trump’s request to appoint a special master to review materials seized by the FBI from Mar-a-Lago, temporarily halting the Justice Department’s investigation. This decision was later overturned by an appeals court, with critics arguing that it lacked legal precedent and unduly favored the former president.
3. What controversies arose from Judge Cannon’s attendance at conservative events?
Reports revealed that Judge Cannon failed to disclose her attendance at several conservative conferences, including a May 2023 banquet funded by a conservative law school. This omission raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and judicial ethics.
4. How did Judge Cannon handle the prosecution’s gag order request in the Trump case?
In May 2024, Judge Cannon denied a request from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team to impose a gag order on Trump, criticizing prosecutors for not adequately consulting with Trump’s defense before filing the motion. She emphasized the need for professional courtesy and meaningful conferral between parties.
5. What were the implications of Judge Cannon’s scheduling decisions in the Trump classified documents trial?
Judge Cannon’s scheduling of hearings and delays in the trial were perceived by some legal analysts as potentially benefiting Trump by pushing the trial closer to the 2024 presidential election, raising concerns about impartiality and judicial conduct.
6. Why did legal experts call for Judge Cannon’s recusal from Trump-related cases?
Due to her prior controversial rulings favoring Trump, including the dismissal of the classified documents case and decisions perceived as biased, legal experts and commentators have urged Judge Cannon to recuse herself from Trump-related cases to maintain judicial impartiality.
7. How did Judge Cannon’s rulings impact her judicial reputation?
Judge Cannon’s decisions, particularly those favoring Trump, have sparked widespread debate and criticism within the legal community, leading to questions about her impartiality and adherence to judicial ethics.
