Donald Trump's classified documents case dismissed by US judge | BBC News

A judge in Florida has dismissed the criminal case accusing Donald Trump of illegally holding onto classified documents.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that Special Counsel Jack Smith - leading the prosecution - was unlawfully appointed to his role and did not have the authority to bring the case.

Dozens of classified files were found in Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, including in a shower and storage room, after the former president left the White House in 2021.

Trump pleaded not guilty to several charges in the case over his handling of classified documents, including wilful retention of national defence information.