A federal judge’s decision to toss out Donald Trump’s classified documents criminal case means the former president can now talk to his co-defendants and potential witnesses about what happened at Mar-a-Lago without facing consequences.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said in a 93-page order that she has granted Trump's bid to dismiss the indictment based on the unlawful funding and appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against the former president.

Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that the entire case should be thrown out because the appointment of the special counsel who brought the case, Jack Smith, had violated the Constitution. Mr. Smith’s office said he would appeal.

A federal judge in Florida has dismissed the Trump documents case, saying the special counsel leading the prosecution has no constitutional power to do so. Where does that leave independent investigations of presidents?

Trump had been charged with mishandling classified documents and keeping documents on national defense and information on military capabilities after he left office following his first term. Cannon ruled that counsel Smith's appointment violated the " Appointments Clause of the Constitution .

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on July 15 sided with defense lawyers of former President Donald Trump who said the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed the federal criminal case against Donald Trump charging him with amassing highly sensitive national security secrets at his Mar-a-Lago estate and then obstructing government efforts to reclaim them.