A Justice Department official filed a complaint against a federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Friday after the judge excoriated a government lawyer during a hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender people from military service.
Justice Department chief of staff Chad Mizelle wrote in a letter to Washington’s appellate court that Judge Ana Reyes had “engaged in hostile and egregious misconduct” when she subjected a department lawyer to an unconventional grilling this week. Mizelle said she displayed a lack of impartiality and should be investigated.
Reyes, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, had scolded Justice Department trial attorney Jason Lynch during the two-day hearing, telling him his arguments in favor of Trump’s executive order displayed “animus” toward people who say they are transgender.
Mizelle pointed to two…
