DOJ Wants Judge Removed From Case Challenging Trump’s Executive Order

District of Columbia District Judge Beryl Howell already granted a temporary restraining order stopping the executive order on March 12.

Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl A. Howell at the U.S. District Court in Washington on April 13, 2018. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Department of Justice filed a motion on March 21 requesting District of Columbia District Judge Beryl Howell disqualify herself from Perkins Coie LLP’s case challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order against it due to her publicly declared disdain for the president and her connection with essential aspects of the case.

“This Court has not kept its disdain for President Trump secret,” Chad Mizelle, acting associate attorney general, wrote in his motion. “It has voiced its thoughts loudly—both inside and outside the courtroom.”