A formal complaint has been filed against U.S. District Judge Roy Altman, alleging anti-Palestinian bias and connections to Islamophobic groups. The complaint was submitted by Florida lawyer Katherine Giannamore to the Eleventh Circuit Court, claiming that Altman's actions undermine public confidence in the federal judiciary's integrity and impartiality. Giannamore contends that Altman has used judicial resources to promote Israel, including making media appearances from his Miami chambers.
The complaint states that since at least April 2026, Judge Altman has engaged in this conduct during business hours, utilizing law clerks for public talks. Specific examples cited include his appearance on a podcast with the Middle East Forum, where he referred to the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian identity, as a "terrorism scarf." In an interview with Al Jazeera, Giannamore expressed concern over Altman's use of his judicial office for political purposes, stating that it negatively impacts public perception of the judiciary's legitimacy.
Giannamore acknowledged that the complaint may not result in disciplinary action against Altman but emphasized the importance of raising awareness about acceptable judicial behavior. Federal judges, appointed for life, face misconduct complaints that can either be dismissed or investigated by a special committee. In rare instances, such complaints may lead to sanctions, including suspension of case assignments or requests for resignation.
Altman, a supporter of Israel appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, is promoting a self-published book defending U.S.-Israel relations. He has been vocal in dismissing accusations of rights abuses against Israel during his appearances on college campuses and other venues. Altman has made statements equating anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism and has expressed views that could be perceived as hostile towards Arabs and Muslims.
The judge's outspoken advocacy comes as the federal judiciary is evaluating cases related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including deportation efforts against student activists protesting the war on Gaza. Altman has also promoted a travel program by the World Jewish Congress for judges to visit Israel, which Giannamore argues could lead to perceived biases in judicial rulings. She expressed concern that such trips could influence judges' perspectives on cases involving Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, potentially undermining public confidence in the judiciary.