Hamilton judge apologizes for wearing Trump hat

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The Ontario court justice who drew the ire of his colleagues, politicians and the public for wearing a Donald Trump campaign hat in court apologized today. The written apology took about two minutes to read, but it looks like the fall out will be much longer.

Ontario court Justice Bernd Zabel says wearing Donald Trump’s signature red “Make America Great Again” campaign hat to a Hamilton court was supposed to be funny, except no one was laughing. A sombre Zabel read a written statement this morning saying,

“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 acknowledge that wearing the hat is a breach of the principals of judicial office and was a lapse in judgement that I sincerely regret.”

Osgoode law professor Gus Van Harten told CHCH last week that Zabel shouldn’t work on cases involving groups the President elect publicly disbarred. Today, he said he isn’t sure if he wants to change or withdraw his complaint. In an email he said that he,
“Appreciate his clear statement of contrition and acknowledgement that it was inappropriate to wear the hat in court and have no interest in seeing anyone’s career ruined as a result of one act of poor judgement.”

Zabel isn’t in the clear yet, Hamilton councillor Matthew Green wants Zabel to resign and several complains have been made to judicial council, a process Ontario’s Attorney General says is appropriate. Zabel didn’t have any court proceedings planned for today but in his statement he says that he will continue to treat all persons that appear before him fairly and impartially.