Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island has faced unwarranted criticism and impeachment threats over his Jan. 31 order blocking the executive funding freeze affecting grants and loans.

Though generally well liked in Rhode Island, McConnell's order blocking a freeze on funding and his follow-up order generated blowback from Washington, D.C., where Vice President JD Vance pondered the court's authority on social media.

U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. weighed ... landed in federal court in Rhode Island last month after authorities directed agencies to ensure spending complied with the administration’s priorities. McConnell agreed to indefinitely ...