A Florida federal judge has denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss a case involving classified documents, rejecting his argument that his actions were permissible under the Presidential Records Act (PRA).

Trump’s attorneys sought to dismiss the case based on the PRA, claiming it granted him “unreviewable discretion” to designate records as personal.

While Judge Aileen Cannon did not dismiss the case on PRA grounds, she left open the possibility for Trump to raise the argument at trial.

Additionally, Cannon pushed back against special counsel Jack Smith’s demand for a final ruling on the PRA theory, calling it “unprecedented and unjust,” the Washington Examiner reported.

The judge noted that the indictment against Trump does not heavily rely on the PRA for the charges.

The decision comes shortly after both parties submitted responses to proposed jury instructions, with legal experts suggesting that finalizing certain premises in the instructions could favor Trump’s defense.

Cannon also rejected Smith’s request for a quick determination on whether the PRA allowed Trump to retain classified records indefinitely after leaving office, calling the demand “unprecedented and unjust.”

Written by B.C. Begley