Trump's Classified Documents Case Dismissed: 'A Seismic Decision'

A Florida judge has dismissed the case against former President Trump's handling of classified documents, a move that legal experts are calling a "seismic decision."

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley has hailed the dismissal of the case against former President Trump's handling of classified documents as a "seismic decision."

Turley, who joined Fox News' "America's Newsroom" to discuss the ruling, said the decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has "ripped the wings off" the case against Trump.

Trump's Classified Documents Case Dismissed: 'A Seismic Decision'

"This is a huge win for Trump," Turley said. "The Florida case was by far the greatest threat to Donald Trump."

Trump had faced charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into his possession of classified materials at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. He pleaded not guilty to all 37 felony counts from Smith's probe, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements.

Trump's Classified Documents Case Dismissed: 'A Seismic Decision'

However, Judge Cannon ruled on Monday that Smith's appointment as special counsel violated the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution.

"The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith's appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution," Cannon wrote in her ruling.

The decision is a major setback for Smith's investigation and raises questions about the future of the probe.

Turley said he believes the decision will create a conflict between the courts.

"Other courts have really dismissed this claim with very little briefing. And so this will create a conflict," Turley said. "There are good arguments on both sides here."

However, Turley said he believes the Florida case was the greatest challenge to Trump's defense.

"The New York case, the Manhattan case, in my view, has layers of reversible error. It's going to be in the courts for a while I think," Turley said. "Judge Merchan did a particularly poor job in that case, and I don't even see the viable crime in that case."

The dismissal of the Florida case is a significant victory for Trump and his legal team. It remains to be seen how Smith's investigation will proceed in the wake of the ruling.