Calls are growing for a judicial opponent of President Donald Trump to face consequences after blocking significant parts of his agenda this month.
A Rhode Island judge overseeing one of the latest legal challenges against Trump was condemned on Tuesday by GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), who said the ruling by District Judge John McConnell is “hurting the American people” more than the president.
McConnell’s decision ordered the Trump administration to respect a previous restraining order which temporarily blocked his effort to pause federal grants and loans.
“You’re not just hurting the president,” Clyde told Fox News Digital. “You’re hurting the American people because they’re the ones who elected him, and they’re the ones who want him to do this – to exercise these specific authorities. And these judges are really denying the American people their rights.”
The root of Clyde’s ire against McConnell stems from a 2021 video resurfaced by conservative activists. In it, he argues that the judicial branch has the responsibility to “stand and enforce the rule of law, that is, against arbitrary and capricious actions by what could be a tyrant or could be whatnot.”
“You have to take a moment and realize that this, you know, middle-class, White, male, privileged person needs to understand the human being that comes before us that may be a woman, may be Black, may be transgender, may be poor, may be rich, may be – whatever,” McConnell said in the video, according to WPRI.
Rep. Clyde acknowledged that it’s reasonable for a judge to hold their own opinions and beliefs, but “they’re not overt and political in mentioning them,” saying “they don’t want to be seen as potentially having a conflict of interest.”
“And I think that’s very, very much the case when it comes to both Judge Engelmayer and Judge McConnell,” the lawmaker said.
