Challenges in the Life of Aileen Cannon in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Aileen Cannon faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Aileen Mercedes Cannon is a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2020. Prior to her judicial appointment, she worked at the law firm Gibson Dunn and served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

September 2022: Cannon allegedly received threats

In September 2022, Cannon allegedly received threats in voicemails from a woman claiming to be "Donald Trump's hitman."

September 21, 2022: Eleventh Circuit stayed portions of Cannon's ruling

On September 21, 2022, the Eleventh Circuit stayed portions of Cannon's ruling, allowing around 100 classified documents to be used in the Justice Department's investigation and rescinding the requirement for the special master to review the classified documents, stating Cannon abused her discretion.

December 2022: Ethics complaints dismissed

In December 2022, ethics complaints against Cannon regarding her handling of the Trump case were dismissed by the Eleventh Circuit's chief judge, William Pryor.

June 2023: Cannon assigned to Trump criminal case

In June 2023, Cannon was assigned to oversee the criminal case against former president Donald Trump, prompting calls for her recusal from legal experts.

September 2023: Delay of pre-trial hearing

In September 2023, after Trump's legal team requested an extension, Cannon delayed a crucial pre-trial hearing on the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) from October 2023 to February 2024.

October 2023: CIPA hearing delayed to February 2024

In September 2023, Cannon delayed a crucial pre-trial hearing on the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) from October 2023 to February 2024.

February 9, 2024: Woman pleads guilty to threatening Cannon

On February 9, 2024, a woman pleaded guilty and was subject to 37 months in federal prison for allegedly leaving Cannon threatening voicemails in September 2022.

February 2024: Cannon grants Trump's motion for witness names

In February 2024, Cannon granted Trump's team's motion for the names of witnesses in this case and their testimony to be publicly revealed, prompting the government's prosecutors to ask Cannon to reconsider.

February 2024: CIPA hearing delayed

In September 2023, Cannon delayed a crucial pre-trial hearing on the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) from October 2023 to February 2024.

March 2024: Cannon rules on further scheduling

After Trump's legal team in September 2023 requested an extension to the case, Cannon delayed a crucial pre-trial hearing on the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) from October 2023 to February 2024, while also ruling that she would only ponder on further scheduling in March 2024.

March 2024: Hearing on postponing trial

After the March 2024 hearing on postponing the May 20, 2024 trial, Cannon took until May 7, 2024, to issue an update on the matter.

March 2024: Cannon denies attempt to dismiss case

In March 2024, Cannon denied without prejudice an attempt by Trump to dismiss the case, but indicated that arguments about the Espionage Act could be brought up later.

March 2024: Witness identifies himself in media interview

In March 2024, a witness in the case identified himself in a media interview, citing Cannon's plan to publicize the witness names.

April 2024: Cannon agrees to censor witnesses' names

In April 2024, Cannon agreed to censor the potential witnesses' names, but not their statements, from the public.

April 2024: Cannon denies another motion to dismiss

In April 2024, Cannon denied another motion by Trump to dismiss the case, stating that "the Presidential Records Act does not provide a pre-trial basis to dismiss".

May 7, 2024: Cannon postpones trial

After the March 2024 hearing on postponing the May 20, 2024 trial, Cannon took until May 7, 2024, to issue an update on the matter, ruling to indefinitely postpone the trial.

May 2024: Cannon grants delay to defense teams

After prosecutors asked for a CIPA hearing in March and the defense teams requested for June, Cannon decided in April that the new hearing date should be in May, but when that date approached, the defense teams again requested delay, so Cannon in May granted the defense teams' earlier request of June CIPA hearings.

May 2024: Cannon denies gag order request

In May 2024, Cannon responded by denying the prosecutors' request for a gag order on Trump pertaining to law enforcement and instead accusing the prosecutors of being "wholly lacking in substance and professional courtesy" when discussing the issue with the defense team.

May 20, 2024: Original Trial Date Postponed

After the March 2024 hearing on postponing the May 20, 2024 trial, Cannon took until May 7, 2024, to issue an update on the matter, ruling to indefinitely postpone the trial.

June 20, 2024: Judges urged Cannon to decline case

On June 20, 2024, The New York Times reported that shortly after being assigned the case, two federal judges in South Florida privately urged Cannon to decline the case.

July 15, 2024: Cannon dismisses case against Trump

On July 15, 2024, Cannon dismissed the case against Trump, ruling that "Special Counsel Smith’s appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution."

July 22, 2024: Scheduled pre-trial activities continue

After the March 2024 hearing on postponing the May 20, 2024 trial, Cannon took until May 7, 2024, to issue an update on the matter. Cannon scheduled pre-trial activities to continue up to July 22, 2024, at the earliest.