A recent controversy has arisen surrounding a Biden-appointed federal judge, Judge Amir Ali, who has been accused of being a radical-left anti-Trump activist. Judge Ali made headlines when he blocked President Trump’s order halting foreign funding and ordered the Trump Administration to pay foreign contracts. This decision was met with backlash and was temporarily paused by the U.S. Supreme Court pending a review.
It has been revealed that Judge Ali is a donor to Democrats, including Joe Biden and former DNC Chair Jamie Harrison. He has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s policies, particularly the 2017 travel ban targeting several Islamic nations. In an editorial for The Guardian, Judge Ali described the travel ban as a “campaign of animus against people of the Muslim faith.” He has also been an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession, citing the lack of representation for people of color and immigrants.
As the former Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center, a Black Lives Matter-aligned group, Judge Ali has been a vocal supporter of defunding the police and dropping felony charges against violent BLM activists. The group argued against asking jurors about their views on BLM, claiming it undermines judicial principles of equity. Judge Ali has also worked with the Appellate Project to promote diversity in the appellate profession.
In light of these revelations, calls for Judge Ali’s impeachment have surfaced. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has called for his impeachment, labeling him as a “woke political activist” whose career has been built on attacking police, American culture, and accusing President Trump. Similar efforts to block President Trump’s policies have been seen from other far-left activist judges, such as U.S. District Judge John McConnell and Judge Paul Engelmayer, both of whom are expected to face impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.
The controversy surrounding Judge Ali highlights the ongoing debate over the role of judges in shaping policy and the need for impartiality in the judicial system. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact future decisions and the perception of the judiciary as a whole.