Attorney General Merrick Garland has strongly criticized Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to dismiss the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump, arguing that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith was constitutional and consistent with legal precedent. Garland, who served as a federal judge for over 20 years, emphasized that the process used to appoint Smith was the same as that followed in previous administrations, and noted that every court, including the Supreme Court, has upheld the legality of special counsel appointments. Cannon, appointed by Trump, had ruled that Smith's appointment violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, arguing that such positions require congressional approval. Garland announced that the Justice Department has appealed the ruling to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, with an opening briefing due by August 27. The special counsel's office contends that Cannon's ruling deviates from established judicial conclusions on the issue.