Hearing Over Trump's Classified Documents Case Finishes Without A Ruling

Donald Trump Holds Campaign Rally In Rome, GA

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UPDATE: Hours after the hearing concluded, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon denied a motion to dismiss the charges in the federal case against Donald Trump for keeping classified documents after leaving the White House.

Cannon only ruled on one motion, which argued the charges were unconstitutionally vague.

"Although the Motion raises various arguments warranting serious consideration, the Court ultimately determines, following lengthy oral argument, that resolution of the overall question presented depends too greatly on contested instructional questions about still-fluctuating definitions of statutory terms/phrases as charged," Cannon wrote in her decision.

Cannon still has to rule on another motion, which argues that Trump had the authority as president to declare the documents as his personal records.

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Former President Donald Trump was back in a Florida courtroom on Thursday (March 14), as his lawyers argued that the charges against him for keeping classified documents after leaving the White House should be dismissed.

Special Counsel Jack Smith was also in attendance at the hearing.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon appeared skeptical of Trump's arguments that the Presidential Records Act shields him from prosecution and his claims that the charges are unconstitutionally vague.

They argued that Trump designated the classified materials as "personal" before they were moved to his residence in Mar-a-Lago.

Cannon peppered Trump's attorneys with questions about why they believed the case should be dismissed.

"It's difficult to see how this gets you to the dismissal of an indictment," she said during the hearing.

Cannon suggested the arguments are "premature" and better suited for trial.

Cannon wrapped up a hearing without making a ruling and said she would take the motions to dismiss "under advisement" and vowed to make her decision "promptly."

She did not talk about a potential start date for the trial.


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