Florida Judge Overseeing Trump's Criminal Case Faces Over 1,000 Complaints, Allegations of Bias

In the month of May, the Florida federal judge presiding over the criminal case involving classified documents against former President Donald Trump has come under scrutiny.

Chief Judge William Pryor revealed that more than 1,000 complaints against Judge Aileen Cannon were received in just one week, raising allegations about her handling of the case. Many of the complaints requested the Chief Circuit Judge to remove Cannon from the classified-documents case and reassign it to a different judge.

The complaints also questioned the correctness of her rulings or her delays in issuing rulings in the case. Chief Judge Pryor noted that the complaints appear to be part of an orchestrated campaign against Judge Cannon.

Delaying the Case

Critics have pointed out the delays in ruling on pending motions and granting hearings to Trump's lawyers on legal issues. Former President Trump is charged with crimes related to withholding classified government records at his Mar-a-Lago club residence in Palm Beach, Florida, and trying to hide them from officials.

While the judicial-complaint process is not the appropriate way to seek review of Judge Cannon's orders, her orders are subject to appellate review.

Public Criticism

Public critics have raised concerns about the judge's impartiality and handling of the case, prompting a lawyer and former federal prosecutor to call for her removal.

In December 2022, a three-judge panel issued a scathing ruling overturning Cannon's appointment of an outside watchdog to determine the use of seized documents from Mar-a-Lago in the ongoing criminal probe of Trump.