Special counsel Jack Smith arrives to speak to reporters Friday, June 9, 2023, in Washington. Former President Donald Trump is facing 37 felon…

The historic federal criminal case against former President Donald Trump has been initially assigned to a judge he appointed who faced criticism over her decision to grant the Republican's request for an independent arbiter to review documents obtained during an FBI search of his Florida estate. A person familiar with the matter says the case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a former federal prosecutor who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2020 and sits in Fort Pierce. The move seems a rare bit of good news for Trump given rulings last year she issued in his favor and in opposition to the Justice Department.

FILE - Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie addresses a gathering during a town hall style meeting at New England College, April 20, 2023, in…

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