US District Judge Aileen Cannon granted the defence motion to dismiss the case on Monday, citing the improper appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Judge Cannon's ruling stated that "Former President Trump's Motion to Dismiss Indictment Based on the Unlawful Appointment and Funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith is GRANTED." She further added, "The Superseding Indictment is DISMISSED because Special Counsel Smith's appointment violates the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution."

The decision comes after Trump's lawyers argued for a partial stay of proceedings, seeking an assessment of a Supreme Court ruling that grants former presidents broad immunity from prosecution. Trump's legal team contended that Smith's appointment was illicit, violating the Constitution's Appointments Clause, and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.

This dismissal of the case is a major victory for Trump, who was accused of endangering national security by retaining top secret documents after leaving the White House. The former president was facing 31 counts of "wilful retention of national defence information," with each count carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The charges also included violations of the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and making false statements to investigators.

Trump, taking to his Truth Social platform from Milwaukee, where he is preparing to be anointed as his party's champion at the Republican National Convention, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling. He stated, "This dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts."

This development adds to Trump's momentum, as he recently survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. As he faces the Republican National Convention, the dismissal of this high-profile case undoubtedly provides bolstered support for his bid for political leadership.

It remains to be seen how this ruling will impact future legal proceedings against Trump and whether it will set a precedent for handling similar cases. As the legal battle continues, the focus will now shift to the repercussions of this dismissal and its implications for the country's justice system.