AMERICAN GREATNESS: Rittenhouse Judge Does Veterans Day
Judge Bruce Schroeder recognized Veterans Day in his courtroom Thursday with small acts of patriotism.
WHAT HAPPENED
Schroeder, the judge in the murder trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, wore an American-flag-themed tie under his robe.
The judge in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial is wearing a tie featuring the American flag. pic.twitter.com/INGecZO47F
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) November 11, 2021
He also led “a round of applause to the people who have served our country.”
— Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs (@NickAtNews) November 11, 2021
THE REACTION
Like the previous day’s revelation that Schroeder has a patriotic ringtone, the judge’s mundane observances of Veterans Day were quickly pulled into the culture war surrounding the high-profile trial.
- Conservatives celebrated the judge’s patriotism, with the Daily Caller declaring his tie “PURE America.”
- Liberals criticized him for acknowledging the military service of an expert witness for the defense, saying it could improperly sway the jury.
A joke Schroder made Thursday about Asian food also garnered headlines and sparked political debate.
Rittenhouse judge jokes about the supply chain crisis:
"I hope the Asian food isn't on one of those boats in long beach harbor." pic.twitter.com/JwdcS6p0u3
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 11, 2021
But Julius Kim, a Milwaukee-based lawyer who has defended clients in Schroeder’s court, pushed back on complaints about judge’s judicial style and alleged bias in favor of the defense.
- “It seems to me that he’s trying his best to be fair to his both side, but all this other behavior has now become a distraction, and that’s become a bigger concern,” Kim told Milwaukee’s CBS affiliate Thursday, after the defense rested its case.
Schroeder said Friday that closing arguments in the trial would begin Monday.
- He said the prosecution and defense would each have 2-1/2 hours to address the jury.