If you were holding out hope that Judge Aileen Cannon might someday defy expectations with a display of judicial independence, today's developments will surely disappoint. In a decision that surprises no seasoned observer of her career, the Trump-appointed judge has permanently blocked the release of a crucial special counsel report penned by Jack Smith, citing issues with Smith's appointment and procedural determinations by Attorney General Bondi.

Judge Cannon, whose judicial conduct has frequently sparked controversy, reaffirmed her allegiance to the MAGA movement by dismissing a criminal case against Donald Trump. She argued that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional, a stance that sharply deviates from longstanding legal precedents. This controversial decision comes after Trump's victory in the 2024 election and the subsequent dropping of the DOJ's appeal by the new administration.

Today's ruling from Cannon asserts that releasing Volume II of Smith’s report, which pertains to classified documents, would result in "manifest injustice" to the former defendants. This decision marks another instance where Cannon has used her judicial powers to shield Trump from potential legal repercussions.

Initially, Cannon had justified her decision to block the report's release by pointing to ongoing appeals for Trump's co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. However, with Trump's control over the DOJ leading to the dissipation of those cases, American Oversight and the Knight First Amendment Institute stepped in, seeking the release of the report. Despite their efforts, Cannon delayed her response, prompting the Eleventh Circuit to push for a resolution due to undue delay.

When Trump personally requested through his lawyer that the release of the report be blocked permanently, the DOJ—now acting akin to Trump's personal legal team—supported this move. Nauta and De Oliveira went a step further by requesting the destruction of all copies of the report, a step even Cannon was not willing to take.

With this latest ruling, Judge Cannon continues to use her federal judgeship not as a means of maintaining checks and balances, but as a tool to support Donald Trump, thus insulating him from the political and historical implications of a trial that never materialized. This decision not only reflects the ongoing politicization of the judiciary but also underscores the profound impact of presidential appointments on the interpretation and execution of law.