A federal judge who has twice blocked executive actions by President Donald Trump previously donated approximately $500,000 to Democratic campaigns, leading critics to believe that left-wing Democrat-aligned groups are ‘judge-shopping’ to ensure he hears their cases.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell of the District of Rhode Island, an Obama appointee, is also set to preside over a third case involving Trump, with all three cases centered on disputes over federal funding.
In one instance, McConnell ruled in favor of a group of Democratic state attorneys general to halt a federal funding freeze. In another, he sided with the state of Rhode Island in a challenge against cuts to federal funding.
Next, McConnell is set to rule on a separate case, California v. U.S. Department of Transportation, in which 20 Democratic state attorneys general are challenging the Trump administration’s threat to withhold federal funds from jurisdictions that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws, the Daily Signal reported.
According to OpenSecrets, which tracks political donations, Sara Shea McConnell, the judge’s wife, has made contributions of $28,500 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2008, which supports House candidates. He also gave $25,000 to support North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s election bid in 2000, $12,500 to the Washington State Democratic Party in 2008, $10,000 to the Rhode Island Democratic Party in 2004, and $7,500 to then-Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle’s re-election campaign in 2006, the outlet reported.
According to CQ Roll Call, Judge McConnell contributed $190,000 to members of Congress and at least $200,000 to Democratic Party organizations at both the national and state levels prior to his appointment to the federal bench.
Obama nominated McConnell to the U.S. District Court in March 2010, but the Senate did not confirm him until May 2011, in a 50–44 vote.
His wife, Sara Shea McConnell, has also been a significant donor to Democratic candidates, contributing $250,000 overall, according to OpenSecrets and Roll Call. Her donations include $4,200 to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), $26,200 to the Democratic National Committee in 2008, $12,500 to the Washington State Democratic Party in 2008, $11,000 to the Rhode Island Democratic Party in 2006, and $5,000 to Heidi Heitkamp’s 2000 Senate campaign, the Daily Signal noted further.
Their daughter, Catherine McConnell, held roles in the U.S. Department of Education during the Biden administration, serving as a senior policy adviser in the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, and previously as a special assistant in the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development.
