Controversy Surrounds Trump-Appointed Judge in Criminal Trial

Judge Aileen M. Cannon, a Trump appointee, was randomly assigned to oversee the criminal case against former President Donald J. Trump over his hoarding of classified documents. The chief clerk of the federal court system in the Southern District of Florida confirmed that Judge Cannon's assignment is permanent unless she recuses herself. The news of Judge Cannon's assignment raised eyebrows due to her role in an earlier lawsuit filed by Mr. Trump challenging the F.B.I.'s search of his Florida club and estate, Mar-a-Lago. However, the clerk clarified that normal procedures were followed and certain factors increased the chances that the case would land before Judge Cannon.