Politics and impartiality don’t mix

RE: The Zabel controversy

This letter writer wonders if Hillary Clinton had won the U. S. election, would there have been such a “brouhaha” over Judge Zabel’s wearing of the so-called Trump hat. I happen to know Judge Zabel professionally and I will readily agree that he is a good, fair and impartial judge. But as an immigrant and a person of colour I, too, am left wondering if Mr. Zabel supports even some of Trump’s nationalist/racist/misogynistic agenda.

When Mr. Zabel wore that hat in court his intent may have been humour, but it showed a level of tone-deafness to these issues that left me wondering how that would impact his ability to be totally impartial, regardless of who was facing justice in his court.

Even if Mrs. Clinton had won the presidency, even if a judge wore anything supportive of her in court, they would have sent a message that they support a particular political agenda. Showing any support for a political entity is inappropriate for any person who is responsible for making impartial decisions.

It is not a “brouhaha” when the actions of a person in power make people fear they will use that power against them unfairly. Appearing to support a man who, among other worrisome things, brags about sexually assaulting women, is openly hostile to immigrants and intolerant of disadvantaged people is rightfully shocking and worthy of society’s revulsion. Jorge Lasso, Hamilton