On Thursday, September 26, 2024, Newsweek reported that Judge Aileen Cannon is unlikely to be removed from the case involving Ryan Routh, who is accused of attempting to shoot Donald Trump. Legal analysts have expressed skepticism regarding her potential recusal, despite claims of favoritism toward the former president.
Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, highlighted that Cannon’s bias towards Trump does not necessarily imply that her impartiality in the Routh case could be reasonably questioned. Gillers noted that any actions Cannon takes in the ongoing case against Routh, who allegedly intended to harm Trump, will not directly benefit Trump as a political figure.
Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, previously presided over his classified documents case, where she dismissed all charges against him, citing the illegal appointment of the special prosecutor. Following that case, she has now been randomly assigned to the Routh matter.
Greg Germain, a law professor at Syracuse University, echoed Gillers’ perspective, suggesting that Cannon has shown no intention to recuse herself from cases involving Trump, even those directly concerning him. Germain remarked that it is improbable she would step down from a case that presents a more distant appearance of conflict, particularly one involving an alleged attempted assassination.
Ryan Routh, 58, faces charges including possession of a firearm as a former felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The charges stem from an incident on September 15, where Routh allegedly aimed to shoot Trump at a golf course owned by the former president in Palm Beach, Florida. Although no shots were fired, a Secret Service agent discovered a rifle protruding from a fence at the location, leading to Routh’s subsequent arrest after police intercepted his vehicle.
Legal analysts are closely watching Cannon’s handling of the Routh case, with Kristy Greenberg, a former Manhattan prosecutor, and MSNBC legal analyst, asserting that Cannon is likely to manage the case more effectively than she did with Trump’s classified documents situation. Greenberg remarked that Cannon previously took deliberate steps to delay proceedings in Trump’s case, suggesting that she will employ stronger case management skills in the Routh matter.
Trump was facing 40 federal charges related to his alleged mishandling of sensitive materials from his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving the White House in January 2021. He has denied all charges and has characterized the legal actions against him as a politically motivated witch hunt. In July, Cannon dismissed the charges based on her view that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith lacked constitutional legitimacy.
As the Routh case continues to develop, the legal community remains attentive to Judge Cannon’s rulings and overall approach, especially considering the unique circumstances surrounding both the defendant and the former president.
Source: Newsweek
