When a judge presides over a trial, they are there to be open to both sides, regardless of the case or situation. While deep down their personal beliefs may cause them to lean one way or another on specific cases (which is why a Democratic or Republican president selecting a new member of the Supreme Court is so important).
However, a judge is supposed to remain neutral and take all cases into account as openly and fairly as possible. This is why a judge typically wears a black robe. In some countries, judges actually wear powdered wigs in order to give all judges a similar look. There is no “casual Friday” when it comes to the court of law.
However, one judge decided to blatantly disregard all of this and wear something that specifically outlines her personal political alignment in front of members of the court and the offenders she presides over.
Recently, Judge Sarah Eckhardt decided to wear a pink “pussy hat” inside of her own courtroom. The pussy hat, with knitted ears and all, became a staple to the Woman’s March that took place after President Trump’s inauguration. The hat is also used as a slang for female genitalia.
Anyone who openly wears this during a session in court is extremely problematic. It’s worse when it’s a judge who is tasked with remaining neutral—the hat is a clear representation of her political belief system and it completely disregards all things decent within a court of law.
If someone else walked in with a hat representing male genitalia she likely would have either kicked the individual out or arrested them for contempt. What did the city she presided over have to say about this hat? Check out the video to find out.
