Butt hurt north of the border.
Via Toronto Star:
A Hamilton judge who wore a pro-Donald Trump hat to court the day after the U.S. election and declared his support for the new president will face a public discipline hearing.
Ontario court Justice Bernd Zabel was reported to have shown up for court on Nov. 9 wearing a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap. He apologized days later, saying the hat was an attempt at humour and not meant to be political.
“What I did was wrong. I wish to apologize for my misguided attempts to mark a moment in history by humour in the courtroom following the surprising results in the United States election,” he was quoted as saying in court Nov. 15.
“This gesture was not intended in any way as a political statement or endorsement of any political views, and, in particular, the views and comments of Donald Trump. I very much regret that it has been taken as such.”
Several weeks later, the Star obtained a certified transcript of comments Zabel made in court at the very end of the day on Nov. 9.
“Brief appearance with the hat. Pissed off the rest of the judges because they all voted for Hillary, so. I was the only Trump supporter up there but that’s okay,” Zabel said, according to the transcript. […]
Zabel’s decision to wear the hat led critics to question his impartiality, a crucial requirement for judges, and several groups and individuals have filed complaints with the judicial council.
Some questioned whether members of groups attacked by Trump, including Muslims, immigrants and women, would be treated fairly if they appeared before Zabel.