Councillor calls for removal of Ontario judge who wore Trump hat

HAMILTON – A city councillor in Hamilton says a judge who reportedly wore a hat showing support for Donald Trump in the courtroom should step down or be removed from the bench.

Coun. Matthew Green spoke out on social media Friday following media reports that Judge Bernd Zabel wore a hat that read “Make America Great Again,” a campaign slogan used by the U.S. president-elect.

In his statement, Green says Ontario’s judicial system should be strictly non-partisan.

He argues that because of the “clear racism, sexism and xenophobia” in the American election, Zabel’s display could “underscore the distrust many Canadians feel” towards the justice system.

“I was terribly disappointed in the lack of judgment and poor taste of this particular court justice,” Green told CityNews on Saturday.

“I think for anybody who’s been before a court of law the primary hope is that it’s all built on trust that you’re going to have somebody who is impartial,” he continued. “There are very strict guidelines that state that all political activity by appointed justices ceases as they become a judge.”

The city councillor is calling on the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice to remove Zabel from the bench if he does not resign.

“I think that when you have this type of environment or culture seep into our courtrooms it calls to question the impartiality of all court judges and in fact each justice has the responsibility to hold their colleagues accountable,” Green explained.

The Hamilton Spectator reports that a complaint against Zabel has been filed with the Ontario Judicial Council.

“I’ve heard here in Hamilton there’s a culture of fear by the lawyers here in reprisal for speaking out,” said Green. “I believe it’s my duty as an elected official that we have this values conversation. I certainly do not want to see it make Canadian boarders. “