GOP lawmakers urge investigation of Judge McConnell over alleged conflict of interest in Trump administration funding case.

Republicans Target Judge’s Ties to Nonprofit Amid High-Stakes Case

House Republicans are demanding an investigation into District Judge John McConnell, the Obama-appointed judge presiding over a pivotal Trump administration funding case, alleging a financial conflict of interest. The inquiry was initiated by Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Darrell Issa of California, who sent a letter Tuesday to the First Circuit Court of Appeals’ judicial council, seeking a formal review.

The controversy centers on McConnell’s role overseeing a challenge brought by 22 states, all led by Democratic attorneys general, against the Office of Management and Budget’s January directive to suspend billions in federal benefits. The states argued that the Trump administration’s order to freeze already-approved funds was unlawful. Judge McConnell sided with the states, blocking the funding suspension and later ordering the release of FEMA funds, with the case now under appeal at the First Circuit.

In his March order, McConnell wrote that the suspension “fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government,” criticizing the administration’s decision as lacking rationality and disregarding vital public services like safety, health care, and education.

Reps. Jordan and Issa argue that McConnell’s former leadership of Crossroads Rhode Island—a nonprofit that has received millions in federal and state grants—creates the appearance of a conflict. “Given Crossroads’s reliance on federal funds, Judge McConnell’s rulings had the effect of restoring funding to Crossroads, directly benefitting the organization and creating a conflict of interest,” they wrote. McConnell has included Crossroads and his board membership in his financial disclosure filings.

The push for review is backed by the Trump-aligned group America First Legal, which has spotlighted McConnell’s nonprofit connections for months. The issue has drawn further attention after Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., filed articles of impeachment against McConnell, though support for impeachment among House Republicans remains limited.

The case has become a lightning rod for Trump allies, some of whom have targeted McConnell’s family members online. Local media have noted McConnell’s history as a donor to Democratic causes prior to his 2011 judicial confirmation. Despite these claims, neither party in the funding case has formally requested McConnell’s recusal.

As the First Circuit reviews the matter, the dispute has reignited debate over judicial ethics and the role of political connections in high-profile cases. An aide for Judge McConnell declined to comment, while observers await the judicial council’s response and the wider implications for future federal funding litigation.