Canadian judge suspended for wearing ‘Make America Great Again’ hat

A Canadian judge will get a 30-day suspension for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat in court.

Justice Bernd Zabel was given a 30-day suspension without pay and a formal reprimand, according to the National Post.

The suspension comes after an Ontario Judicial Council panel last month held a hearing that looked into complaints received against the judge for wearing the hat bearing President Trump’s campaign slogan in court on Nov. 9, 2016, the day after Trump’s victory.

“What would a reasonable member of the public think upon seeing Justice Zabel enter the courtroom wearing Trump’s signature red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat and state that he did so ‘in celebration of an historic event’?” the panel asked, according to The National Post.

{mosads}“A reasonable member of the public would think that Justice Zabel was making a political statement and endorsing Donald Trump’s campaign.”

Zabel said his decision to wear the hat was a joke, but noted it was “ill-considered” and has since apologized for his actions.

The panel said in making its decision, it was faced with a “stark contrast between the perception create by the November 9 incident and the reality of an experienced and fair-minded judge.”

Zabel engaged in “serious misconduct,” the panel said, but added that his actions actions were “completely at odds with the exemplary judge he has been for the past 27 years.”

“Whatever Justice Zabel may have thought about the U.S. presidential election, and however serious his actions … his record on the bench and his reputation with his judicial colleagues and the bar demonstrates that he is an entirely fair-minded and impartial judge who is dedicated to the highest ideals of his calling,” the panel said.