Cleaning Up All Details

Breaking News: Two veteran federal judges in South Florida privately urged Judge Aileen Cannon to step aside from the Donald Trump documents case when it was assigned to her. She chose to keep it. https://t.co/fqqpwYw4Xr

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 20, 2024

This means:

A) They are sending Loose Cannon a message (and Jack Smith, as well); or

B) Head are going to roll in the staff offices.

My money is on A. Who risks their job for this story?

NYT: The chief judge — an appointee of former President George W. Bush — is said to have made a more pointed argument: It would be bad optics for Judge Cannon to oversee the trial because of what had happened during the criminal investigation that led to Mr. Trump’s indictment.…

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 20, 2024

I mean, seriously. If the chief judge didn’t want this out, shit would hit the fan.

Both the story and the fact that it has been reported are remarkable. The degree of embarrassment and chagrin Cannon’s incompetence and bias must be causing to her colleagues is unimaginable. And lest any semiliterate MAGAts contend this is some kind of political play, they… https://t.co/ZaHjfpUgVm

— George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 20, 2024

And a reminder that “Chief Judge” has as much authority as “Chief Justice.” None, really. The people who can remove Cannon sit on the 11th Circuit. Still, this drawing attention that the 11th Circuit will find hard to ignore. And making it clear that this shit is bad .

I'm not sure what to make of this story, except to say that it's remarkable to have two senior judges gently tell you that you're incompetent and/or perceived as too biased and then to actually go out there and prove it on the field. https://t.co/nb5NA87p0C

— Lee Kovarsky (@lee_kovarsky) June 20, 2024

This is worth considering:

Why is Aileen Cannon doing what she is doing?

Maybe she's just ego-shamed bc she fucked up the search warrant?

— emptywheel (blue chick) (@emptywheel) June 20, 2024

Is she stupid? Is she incompetent? Or is she greedy?

But Judge Cannon has been the elite recipient of the same kind of graft that Clarence Thomas has enjoyed.

Maybe she's aspiring for an RV?

And that deserves mention.

— emptywheel (blue chick) (@emptywheel) June 20, 2024

Federal judges can’t get away with this the way Justices can. That doesn’t necessarily stop them from trying.