Judge Cannon has a recent history of showing Trump favor

Sign the petition: Remove Trump-appointed Judge Cannon from U.S. vs. Donald Trump trial!

Dear MoveOn member,

Last week, Judge Aileen M. Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, announced that Trump’s Mar-a-Lago stolen documents case would be brought to trial as soon as August 14.1 But what’s just as important as a speedy trial is a trial that the public can trust. And because of Judge Cannon’s history of showing favor towards Trump in this case, it’s questionable whether she can or will act impartially. With the stakes this high, we can’t wait any longer to ensure a judge with no history of bias oversees this trial.

Last year, Judge Cannon wrongfully intervened in the Department of Justice investigation into Trump’s withholding of classified documents, barring the DOJ from using the seized materials in its investigation. Ultimately, a conservative court overturned her ruling, citing Trump cannot be given special treatment in this case just because he is a former president.2 It's an example that shows she's unprepared for the stakes and pressures of this case and is already making decisions that are biased or at least carry the damning appearance of impropriety.

Donald Trump believes he is above the law, and the outcome of this federal case is critical to proving to the nation that he is not. That’s why it’s imperative that an impartial, trustworthy judge oversees this high-stakes trial. Judge Cannon is not this person.

Sign the petition to demand that Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida reassign Trump-appointed Judge Aileen M. Cannon from the United States vs Donald Trump case.

Chief Judge Altonaga must exercise her authority to remove Judge Cannon from the United States vs Donald Trump trial. Judge Cannon was appointed by Trump and has a recent history (in this very case!) of demonstrating extreme bias in favor of Trump. Her continued assignment over this trial risks the integrity of and the public’s confidence in the proceedings. The case must be reassigned to a different judge.

Federal law requires judges to recuse themselves when their “impartiality might reasonably be questioned” or when they have “a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party,” but she has yet to rescue herself, despite government watchdog groups calling on her to do so.3 We can’t wait for Judge Cannon to recuse herself, but Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga has authority under federal law and internal court procedure to reassign a new judge to this case, one who will prioritize equal justice under the law.

Will you add your name to the petition to demand Judge Cannon be removed from this case? It’s only right that someone who upholds equal justice under the law oversee this critical trial.

Donald Trump is facing 37 federal charges, including 31 violations of the Espionage Act, for stealing from and refusing to return top-secret nuclear and military documents to the government.4 And he is running again for president. It’s clear that Trump believes he is above the law and has convinced millions of his followers of the same. For our democracy and the future of our nation, it’s critical that Trump is finally held accountable for the crimes he has committed.

We hope you’ll sign this petition to demand that Judge Cannon be reassigned to ensure this trial is run fairly. Our democracy depends on it!

Thanks for all you do.

–Kelsey, Amy, Bekir, Emily, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "U.S. judge sets Aug. 14 trial date for Trump in Florida documents case," Reuters, June, 20, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/174873?t=7&akid=355846%2E40999114%2Ek47kcJ

2. "Trump case assigned to judge who faced criticism over her ruling in his favor in Mar-a-Lago search," AP News, June 9, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/174874?t=9&akid=355846%2E40999114%2Ek47kcJ

3. "Government Watchdog Calls for Recusal of Judge Cannon from United States v. Donald Trump," Free Speech for People, June 14, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/174875?t=11&akid=355846%2E40999114%2Ek47kcJ

4. "Trump indicted on 37 counts in Mar-a-Lago case," The Hill, June 9, 2023
https://act.moveon.org/go/174876?t=13&akid=355846%2E40999114%2Ek47kcJ 

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