Records Show Anti-Trump Federal Judge Was Democrat Activist: Report
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani is under increased scrutiny following her decision to halt a Trump administration effort to terminate the CHNV immigration parole program. This program, initiated under President Biden, permits temporary legal entry for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Talwani’s ruling has paused the rollback of the program, although the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently supported Trump, allowing the revocation of temporary legal status for around 500,000 individuals.
Judge Talwani, who was appointed by President Obama in 2013, has faced criticism not only for her ruling but also for her political connections and previous engagement with progressive initiatives. Public records indicate that she was an active campaign volunteer for several notable Democrats, including Deval Patrick, Barack Obama, Martha Coakley, and Elizabeth Warren.
Her association with the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA), an organization alleged to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party, has also attracted scrutiny. Critics such as Natalie Winters and Steve Bannon highlight the organization’s Maoist origins and its endorsement of the Chinese revolution as reasons for concern. Talwani received the CPA’s “Workers Justice Award” in 2012, a year prior to her judicial nomination, which is still included in her official credentials.
In her 41-page opinion, Talwani defended the Biden-era parole program, asserting that its revocation would compel law-abiding migrants to either leave voluntarily or confront deportation proceedings. She cautioned about the potential for family separations and human repercussions if the program were to be rescinded too hastily.
Talwani’s history regarding immigration and labor rulings demonstrates progressive inclinations, which has fueled Republican accusations of judicial activism. Her background in Democratic campaigning has further intensified claims that the judiciary is being utilized to hinder Trump-era policies.
In the meantime, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has initiated the reversal of additional protections established during the Biden administration, which includes the termination of Temporary Protected Status for migrants from Afghanistan and Cameroon, thereby aligning with Trump’s more stringent immigration policies.
In another context, former President Trump commended El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for his efforts to combat violent crime through the implementation of high-security prisons such as CECOT. During an interview with Fox News, Trump suggested the potential for utilizing similar facilities to incarcerate violent offenders based in the U.S., whom he labeled as “homegrown criminals.”