House Moves to Impeach Rhode Island Federal Judge Over Alleged Bias and Conflict of Interest

This resolution calls for the impeachment of Chief Judge John James McConnell Jr., who oversees federal cases in Rhode Island. The core issue? They're claiming he's let his personal politics interfere with his job, violating the standards expected of a federal judge. The resolution presents two main articles of impeachment, each detailing different aspects of the alleged misconduct.

Politicizing the Bench?

The first article accuses Judge McConnell of openly favoring Democratic causes, pointing to nearly $700,000 in political contributions (combined with his wife's donations) and his past leadership role at the Rhode Island branch of Planned Parenthood. The resolution argues this bias would make it impossible for him to rule fairly in cases involving former President Trump or his administration. It specifically cites public comments made by Judge McConnell in January 2021, where he compared Trump's first term to historical periods of conflict like the Civil War and Jim Crow era, even going as far as to liken Trump to a tyrant. For example, if a case came up challenging a Trump-era policy, the argument is that McConnell's past statements and affiliations could sway his judgment.

Conflict of Interest Claims

The second article focuses on a specific case: State of New York et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al. The problem, according to the resolution, is that Judge McConnell sits on the Board of Directors for Crossroads Rhode Island, a non-profit that receives significant funding from the Rhode Island state government – one of the plaintiffs in that very case. In 2023, Crossroads Rhode Island received over $30 million in total revenue, with over $18 million coming from government sources. And in fiscal year 2025, they've already gotten almost $3 million from the State of Rhode Island. The resolution claims this violates the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, specifically section 455 of title 28, United States Code, which requires judges to step aside from cases where their impartiality might be questioned or where they have a financial stake in one of the parties involved. Think of it like a referee in a football game also being on the payroll of one of the teams – it just doesn't look right, and it raises serious questions about fairness.

This impeachment resolution essentially argues that Judge McConnell's actions – both his political statements and his involvement with Crossroads Rhode Island – have crossed a line. It remains to be seen how this will proceed, but it highlights the crucial importance of keeping the judiciary independent and free from any appearance of bias or conflict.