Judge Cannon Struck Motion From Mar-a-Lago Docket

The court rejected an FBI filing for failing to follow local rules regarding mandatory conferral procedures.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Financial Crime

Judge Cannon Struck Motion From Mar-a-Lago Docket

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U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon struck a motion from the Mar-a-Lago court docket on September 25, 2026. The attorneys representing FBI agents must now refile the document to comply with local court requirements.

Why it matters

The filing was rejected because it lacked a required statement certifying a good faith effort to confer with opposing counsel. This procedural step is mandatory under court regulations before seeking judicial intervention.

The motion was struck for failing to meet the conferral requirements of Southern District of Florida Local Rule 88.9(a). The FBI agents intend to refile their motion seeking clarification on grand jury testimony.

The players

Aileen Cannon

She is a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida who issued the order striking the motion.

11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

This federal appellate court is hearing accelerated oral arguments regarding the injunction of the Mar-a-Lago indictment.

The details

The attorneys had filed the motion on September 24, 2026, seeking clarification on whether FBI agents are permitted to testify in a grand jury probe. Judge Cannon dismissed the broader Mar-a-Lago indictment in July 2024, and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is currently handling oral arguments on that injunction.

July 2024: Judge Cannon dismissed the Mar-a-Lago indictment.
September 24, 2026: Attorneys filed a motion seeking clarification.
September 25, 2026: Judge Cannon struck the motion from the docket.

Legal Context

The court's rejection of the filing reinforces the mandatory adherence to Southern District of Florida Local Rule 88.9(a), which requires attorneys to document their efforts to communicate before bringing issues before the bench. Procedural compliance remains a core gatekeeping function in federal court dockets.

The striking of this motion delays the clarification regarding FBI testimony in the grand jury probe. Residents and court observers should note that the litigation remains in a procedural phase as attorneys work to comply with local filing rules.

The takeaway

Attorneys must strictly follow local procedural mandates to ensure their motions are accepted for review by the court. This event highlights how even minor technical oversights can stall legal progress in high-profile federal cases.