WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) expanded its investigation into Judge John McConnell, the Chief Judge of Rhode Island’s Federal District Court. Judge McConnell was selected to preside over the case challenging the Trump Administration’s temporary freeze of discretionary federal spending filed on January 28, 2025, by 22 states, including Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. This lawsuit could have been brought in any number of jurisdictions, yet it was brought in Rhode Island and assigned to Judge McConnell, a federal judge with a significant conflict of interest and a history of anti-Trump rhetoric.
Earlier this month, AFL revealed initial findings from its investigation that Judge McConnell has served on the Board of Crossroads Rhode Island for nearly two decades, including as Chairman of the Board for ten years. During Judge McConnell’s affiliation with Crossroads, the organization received at least $128 million in government funding. AFL, therefore, called for Judge McConnell to recuse himself from the case, given his history of public opposition to President Trump and his long-standing connection to an organization that stands to benefit financially from his ruling.
Today, AFL is expanding its investigation into how Judge McConnell came to preside over this case in the first place. An impartial judiciary where justice is blind and free of bias is the hallmark of our judicial system. AFL’s investigation seeks records from the State of Rhode Island relating to why, out of the 22 states and the District of Columbia who are parties to the lawsuit, the action was brought in Rhode Island.
Statement from Andrew Block, America First Legal Senior Counsel:
“As President Trump rightfully retakes control of the Executive Branch, every challenge seems to end up in front of judges who are hostile towards the President and his Administration. AFL has been a leader in exposing the left’s lawfare against President Trump and will continue to do so.
It appears that in their ‘resistance’ efforts, the left is using forum shopping to bring a case in Rhode Island to try to get a favorable judge. It’s ironic that Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a vocal critic of forum shopping, is noticeably silent while this is taking place in his backyard,” said Andrew Block.
Read the FOIA request here.
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