Justice Department files complaint against judge weighing challenge to Trump’s transgender troop ban

The Justice Department filed a complaint Friday accusing a federal judge in Washington of misconduct during hearings over President Donald Trump’s executive order that calls for banning transgender troops from serving in the U.S. military.

The complaint filed by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, marks an escalation of the Republican administration’s criticism of the judiciary, which has been been weighing a slew of legal challenges to the Republican president’s actions.

The complaint to the chief judge of Washington’s federal court accuses U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of inappropriately questioning a government lawyer about his religious beliefs and trying to “embarrass” the attorney with a rhetorical exercise during an exchange about discrimination. It is seeking an investigation, saying “appropriate action” should be taken to ensure that future hearings are conducted with the “dignity and impartiality the public has a right to expect.”

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