A federal judge in California, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has notable financial and personal connections to the Democratic Party, according to public records, Fox News reports. This judge, William Orrick of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, has previously participated in events supporting prominent Democrats such as Kamala Harris and Barack Obama, and has held leadership roles in committees dedicated to electing Democratic candidates like Obama and John Kerry.
On Thursday, Judge Orrick issued a ruling declaring President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting sanctuary cities to be unconstitutional. The orders, which instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal funding from sanctuary jurisdictions that do not comply with federal immigration enforcement, were found to violate the Constitution’s separation of powers, the Spending Clause, and the Fifth and Tenth Amendments, according to the Democrat-friendly judge.
Judge Orrick criticized the Trump administration’s directives, describing them as “unconstitutionally vague and violate due process.” He argued that the orders imposed coercive conditions intended to force local officials to enforce federal immigration laws, which he found problematic.
Orrick also noted that the threat of losing federal funding could cause irreparable harm to local governments, including budgetary instability, violations of constitutional rights, and a breakdown of trust between communities and their local governments.
Federal Election Commission records show that Judge Orrick, who was nominated to the bench by Obama in 2012, has donated $113,600 to various Democratic candidates and committees over the years. His contributions have supported figures such as Obama, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Dianne Feinstein. Notably, in 2008, Orrick donated $2,300 and $28,500 to the Obama Victory Fund. He has also given $53,500 to the Democratic National Committee, $3,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and $2,000 to the Iowa Democratic Party, according to Fox News.
Further, a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire revealed that Orrick served as co-chair for the Bay Area Lawyers group supporting John Kerry’s 2004 campaign and the Bay Area Lawyers to Elect Barack Obama from 2006 to 2008. In 2009, he introduced Kamala Harris, then a candidate for San Francisco district attorney, at a fundraising event.
Orrick’s support for Democratic candidates has been notably evident at various events since 2003, raising questions over his ruling regarding the Trump administration’s efforts.
