On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Reuters reported that a judicial misconduct complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against a judge who presided over a challenge to President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military has been dismissed. The complaint accused the judge of bias in her handling of the case.

Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan issued the decision on September 29, which was made public on Monday. Srinivasan stated that judicial misconduct proceedings were not the appropriate avenue for addressing the Justice Department’s concerns regarding U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. He noted that the DOJ could have instead sought to have her recused from the case.

Srinivasan emphasized that a misconduct proceeding should not serve as an alternative method for a party in a pending case to pursue a judge’s recusal. While the decision did not explicitly name the judge, it referenced a complaint that the Justice Department had previously made public against Judge Reyes, who was appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden.

This judicial misconduct complaint is one of two that the department has filed against judges amidst escalating tensions between the Republican president and the judicial branch, which has frequently challenged Trump’s policies.

Todd Blanche, a high-ranking Justice Department official, described the situation as a “war” at an event earlier this month. He criticized “rogue activist judges” for obstructing Trump’s initiatives.

In March, Judge Reyes blocked the Trump administration from implementing an executive order that prohibited transgender individuals from military service. However, a federal appeals court has temporarily suspended that ruling while it reviews the administration’s appeal.

The Justice Department initially filed the complaint against Reyes in February, before she had issued her ruling. The complaint alleged that during hearings in the case, Reyes had challenged the administration’s positions and engaged in “hostile and egregious misconduct.”

Specifically, the complaint, filed by Chad Mizelle, the now-former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, stated that Reyes had used a coarse expression, questioned a lawyer about religion, and used him as a prop in a “rhetorical exercise.” Mizelle argued that her behavior undermined the dignity of the proceedings and raised concerns about her ability to preside impartially.

 

 

Source: Reuters