MEBRO
FACT CHECK #U31TGCUT
06/15/26 · 6:54 PM UTC · 10 SOURCES
EXHIBIT A
What you submitted
“Judge Christopher Cooper is a Trump-hating activist judge whose actions undermine the federal judiciary.”
TL;DR ·Cooper's record includes rulings both for and against Trump, contradicting labels of partisan activism.
WHAT WE FOUND
The characterization of Judge Christopher Cooper as a Trump-hating activist is MISLEADING and relies on subjective labels from political opponents rather than a consistent judicial record . While Cooper issued a ruling in May 2026 blocking President Trump’s efforts to rename and renovate the Kennedy Center , he previously ruled in favor of the Trump administration in February 2025 by denying a request to stop the mass firings of federal employees . Critics and the conservative group CASA have filed a judicial misconduct complaint alleging that Cooper’s wife, Amy Jeffress, has professional ties to anti-Trump litigation . The complaint argues this creates a conflict of interest, citing that their 1999 wedding was officiated by Merrick Garland . However, the filing of a complaint is a documented allegation by a partisan watchdog and does not constitute proof that Cooper has undermined the federal judiciary . For further context on the legal standards for recusal, readers should review the federal judiciary's Code of Conduct referenced in the CASA filing .
SOURCES
- 1 · washingtonexaminer.comACADEMICWho is Judge Christopher Cooper, who blocked Trump's Kennedy Center plans?
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- 2 · the-independent.comACADEMICTrump says judge who ruled against him on Kennedy Center ‘should be brought up on charges’ | The Independent
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- 3 · americanjournaldaily.comACADEMICThe Judge Behind the Kennedy Center Ruling Has Ties the Media Won't Talk About
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- 4 · en.wikipedia.orgWEBChristopher R. Cooper - Wikipedia
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- 5 · fox5ny.comWEBConservative watchdog files misconduct complaint against judge in Kennedy Center case | FOX 5 New York
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- 6 · foxnews.comWEBObama-appointed judge with ties to anti-Trump conspiracy theory hit with misconduct complaint
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- 7 · conservativeinstitute.orgWEBJudge Cooper Faces Misconduct Complaint Over Wife's Ties
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- 8 · wfin.comWEBObama-appointed judge with ties to anti-Trump conspiracy theory hit with misconduct complaint - Local News
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- 9 · libertyonenews.comWEBConservative Watchdog Files Misconduct Complaint Against Judge Cooper – Liberty One News
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- 10 · economictimes.indiatimes.comWEBDonald Trump: Donald Trump blasts federal judge as 'an anti Trump Hater', blames wife as Kennedy Center renovation faces legal setback - The Economic Times
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CHECK #______
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