HAMILTON, Canada

A US federal judge appeared likely to block a March 6 executive order by President Donald Trump targeting the Perkins Coie law firm, according to reports Wednesday.

During a hearing, US District Judge Beryl Howell expressed significant skepticism about the Trump administration's legal arguments, questioning a Justice Department lawyer about the purpose and constitutionality of the order, ABC News said.

The executive order seeks to strip security clearances from Perkins Coie lawyers, halt the firm's government dealings, and restrict its attorneys' access to federal buildings due to its involvement in political litigation, including its representation of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

According to The Washington Post, Judge Howell sharply criticized the administration's response and called it "a temper tantrum" and "worthy of a three-year-old," referring to derogatory language used by senior officials in a memo about her initial ruling.

She pressed the Justice Department lawyer for more information on the sanctions and the agreements struck by law firms with the White House to avoid penalties, expressing frustration over the lack of answers.

Perkins Coie's legal team argued that the executive order was unconstitutional and amounted to political retaliation.

Meanwhile, Judge Howell's final decision is still pending.