Federal Judge Who Halted Trump Sanctuary City Cuts Linked to Major Democratic Donations

Federal Judge William Orrick, appointed by former President Obama, has issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's effort to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. The move, which has triggered plenty of headlines, also comes with a side of political intrigue: records show Orrick has deep financial ties to the Democratic Party.

Orrick, who serves on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, put a stop to President Trump's executive orders targeting sanctuary cities, calling them unconstitutional. Specifically, he argued that the directives instructing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to hold back funding from localities not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement overstepped constitutional boundaries—citing the separation of powers, the Spending Clause, and the Fifth and 10th Amendments. Orrick didn't mince words, labeling the orders "unconstitutionally vague" and saying they could coerce local officials into carrying out federal immigration policies.

According to Orrick's ruling, threatening to withhold funds would cause "irreparable injury"—not just by blowing up city and county budgets, but by eroding constitutional rights and undermining trust between local governments and their communities.

Here's where things get even more interesting: Federal Election Commission records show Orrick has contributed over $113,000 to Democratic candidates and committees over the years. His list of recipients reads like a Democratic who's-who: Obama, John Kerry, Hillary and Bill Clinton, and Dianne Feinstein, to name a few. Orrick even made two hefty donations to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008 and has given more than $53,000 to the Democratic National Committee alone. That kind of checkbook activity would make even the most seasoned fundraiser blush.

Beyond his donations, Orrick has been actively involved in Democratic politics. Senate Judiciary Committee records reveal he co-chaired Bay Area lawyer groups working to elect both Kerry and Obama, and he introduced Kamala Harris at a campaign fundraiser back in 2009. His history of speaking at Democratic events stretches back to at least 2003.

The ruling has already drawn sharp criticism from Trump and his supporters, who argue judges with deep political ties shouldn't be deciding such cases. Still, the decision stands as another major legal roadblock in the Trump administration's push on immigration enforcement.