Judge Cannon delays Trump’s trial indefinitely

Judge Aileen Cannon is presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal trial on charges that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. It’s an open secret that Trump’s defense amounts to nothing more than delay, delay, delay. That’s because he presumes he’ll get reelected in November and could order his attorney general to dismiss this case.

Judge Cannon has been doing her damnedest to help Trump execute his defense. Thus, yesterday’s order to delay this trial indefinitely came as no surprise. 

The decision by Judge Aileen M. Cannon to avoid picking a date yet for former President Donald J. Trump’s classified documents trial is the latest indication of how her handling of the case has played into Mr. Trump’s own strategy of delaying the proceeding. …

Throughout the case, Judge Cannon has shown herself willing to devote significant time to hearing legal motions in person that many federal judges would likely have rejected out of hand or at least decided more quickly on the merits of written filings.

(The New York Times, May 8, 2024)

Meanwhile, the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has already reversed two of Cannon’s decisions. That is noteworthy, not least because its unanimous rulings read like a high school teacher correcting the assignment of a student with disabilities. 

Trump: a trial is fair only if I win

Trump’s congenital narcissism has him propagating the big lie that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Because he thinks an election can only be fair if he wins.

That narcism has him now propagating the big lie that he can get a fair trial only if the:

1. presiding judge is one he appointed; and 
2. jury consists of MAGA supporters who think he’s the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

Sure enough, Trump keeps undermining the criminal justice system by blasting every judge and jury that ruled against him. And it’s as damning as it is conspicuous that Cannon, his appointee, has been spared his wrath.

Of course, we all know why Trump wants to delay his criminal trials. The wonder is that Cannon wants to delay, too.

Fear is causing Judge Cannon to delay trial

By delaying this trial, Cannon is not doing Trump’s bidding so much as masking her stage fright. Remember, she’d only been on the bench for four years when a dumb luck of the draw landed this “case of the century” in her court.

Reports are that she had limited experience presiding over complex cases during that time, let alone one as politically fraught as this.

Even the most competent and seasoned judge would find presiding over this case daunting. No doubt seasoned and competent Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the hush money trial in New York City, would readily agree. That’s why I am convinced Cannon is delaying this trial to avoid ruling on legal motions and criminal procedure.

It’s daunting enough to have international klieg lights on this case — with legal commentators on TV questioning and criticizing her every word. But the last thing she wants is for the court of appeals to reverse her again. After all, three strikes in this respect would expose her Trumpian incompetence and effectively end her career. 

There’s no denying that Cannon is participating in an open conspiracy to help Trump delay this trial. But her motives might be more selfish than legal commentary suggests.

Ultimately, both she and he are banking on Trump winning and having this case dismissed. And yes, Cannon could be forgiven for thinking Trump would reward her with a nomination to the Supreme Court — notwithstanding her obvious lack of qualifications.