Emerald Coast Times

U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) has issued an oversight request to Cecilia Altonaga, the Chief Judge of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida. This action follows a report suggesting that undue political pressure was exerted on Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing President Donald Trump’s classified-documents case.

The New York Times reported last week that two judges, including Chief Judge Altonaga, allegedly pressured Judge Cannon to withdraw from the Trump-documents case in favor of a more liberal judge. Congressman Gaetz has requested that Chief Judge Altonaga respond to his inquiries regarding these allegations by July 5, 2024.

In his letter to Chief Judge Altonaga, Gaetz stated: “The New York Times recently reported that multiple individuals report that potentially unethical pressure was brought to bear upon Judge Aileen Cannon in your district.” He continued, “Specifically, multiple anonymous sources note that two judges have publicized their attempts to convince Judge Cannon to step aside in the Trump classified-documents case.”

Gaetz outlined several questions for Chief Judge Altonaga:

1. Did you personally have a conversation with Judge Cannon about the Trump-documents case and, if so, on what date(s)?

2. Did you attempt to convince her to leave the case through reassignment or another means and, if so, what means and on what date(s)?

3. Do you have reason to believe that the conversation(s) with Judge Cannon is/are protected by any canons of court conduct or judicial ethics such that leaks to The New York Times may constitute a violation of those rules and, if so, what rules?

4. Is there any pending investigation into those leaks?

5. What affirmative steps has your court taken to avoid a repeat of this situation?

Congressman Gaetz concluded his letter with a request for responses by July 5, 2024.