richmond va. federal appeal court judge monday pepper u.s. justice department lawyer tough question president donald trump temporary ban travelers six muslim-majority nations several voice skepticism protect national security aim policy religious bias six democratic appointees court dominate judge name democratic presidents show concern revive republican president march executive order prohibit new visa enter unite state citizens iran libya somalia sudan syria yemen three months three republican appointees richmond virginia-based 4th u.s. circuit court appeal seem lean toward administration ask whether president second-guess come protect country border whether plaintiffs bring suit sufficiently harm order arguments 13 judge base judge question rule could hinge whether appeal court agree low court judge past statements trump need prevent muslims enter unite state take account would bad news young administration seek victory one first policy change muslim ban act solicitor general jeffrey wall argue government tell judge hear last two hours twice long schedule judge robert king name democratic former president bill clinton tell wall trump never retract previous comment want impose ban muslims never repudiate say muslim ban king say refer trump campaign promise total complete shutdown muslims enter unite state wall tell judge past legal precedent hold court look behind text trump executive order mention specific religion get motivations warn despite heat passionate political debate ban need careful set legal precedent would open door broad question presidential decision make security matter judge paul niemeyer appoint republican former president george h.w bush tell omar jadwat american civil liberties union lawyer represent plaintiffs challenge order ask court rule president national security judgments judiciary supervise assess executive carry office niemeyer say press jadwat seem stumble time point question judge know stop revise travel ban challenge maryland refugee organizations individuals say discriminate muslim family members adversely affect ban argue order violate federal immigration law section u.s. constitution first amendment bar government favor disfavor particular religion administration appeal march 15 rule maryland-based federal judge theodore chuang put ban hold day due go effect arguments mark late legal test trump ban also block federal judge derrick watson hawaii separate legal challenge early version ban also block court chuang maryland block part trump order relate travel people six countries watson hawaii also block another part order suspend entry refugees unite state four months pack audience ornate pre-civil war era courthouse judge pamela harris say trump action clearly disparate impact muslims ask neutral operation muslims judge barbara keenan like harris appoint democratic former president barack obama say order could affect 200 million people regardless 13 judge rule matter likely decide ultimately u.s. supreme court full 4th circuit take appeal two republican-appointed judge participate leave nine judge appoint democratic presidents three republican appointees one judge originally appoint democrat late re-appointed republican unclear court would rule trump issue march executive order federal court block early version issue jan. 27 week take office also include iraq among nations target order go effect immediately trigger chaos protest airports several cities put hold due legal challenge second order intend overcome legal problems pose original ban administration appeal hawaii case hear seattle may 15 three-judge panel san francisco-based 9th u.s. circuit court appeal three judge assign democratic appointees wall say temporary ban intend give government time evaluate whether people six countries subject adequate vet ensure pose security threat unite state say administration able proceed work want litigation note put pen down judge hit trump lawyer tough question revise travel ban