Recent revelations have sparked debate over the political affiliations of a federal judge whose rulings have significantly impacted policies from the Trump administration. Judge John J. McConnell Jr., a U.S. District Judge in Rhode Island, has been identified as a longtime donor to the Democratic Party, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and organizations before his judicial appointment.
Appointed in 2011 by former President Barack Obama, Judge McConnell previously had a career as a personal injury attorney. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicate that before his confirmation to the bench, he made substantial financial contributions to Democratic figures, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. His donations also extended to Democratic political action committees (PACs) and various Senate and House campaigns.