A federal judge who once made large donations to Democratic politicians has ruled against President Donald Trump’s efforts to evaluate government spending, forcing the administration to resume disbursements that had been put on hold. Judge John J. McConnell Jr., appointed by Barack Obama, issued the order Monday, declaring that the administration must immediately release all frozen funds.
McConnell’s ruling follows a temporary restraining order (TRO) he issued in January, which blocked Trump’s spending pause. The administration had argued that the hold was necessary to examine how taxpayer funds were being used, but McConnell sided with Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and Washington, D.C., who challenged the decision in court.
The judge’s financial history has drawn scrutiny. Before his appointment, McConnell donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic campaigns, supporting figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. He also backed Democratic-aligned PACs and congressional candidates, raising concerns about whether his decisions are politically motivated.
Beyond his financial support for Democratic causes, McConnell has been linked to progressive legal advocacy. In 2022, he organized a conference that focused on critical race theory and systemic privilege in the legal system. The event’s discussions revolved around how historic power structures have shaped American law, a topic that has been the subject of political debate in recent years.
The Trump administration is preparing to appeal McConnell’s order, asserting that the executive branch has the authority to review and adjust government spending as necessary. Despite the appeal, Democratic officials continue to press for the full enforcement of McConnell’s decision, arguing that the administration has not yet complied with the ruling.
McConnell’s long history of donating to Democratic candidates, including Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), remains a source of controversy. His financial ties to the Democratic Party continue to raise concerns about whether his rulings against Trump administration policies are legally justified or politically motivated.
