U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has taken the rare step of rebuking President Trump's criticism of a federal judge.<br />Trump had referred to an appeals court judge who ruled against his policy barring asylum for certain immigrants as an "Obama judge." <br />In a statement, Roberts defended the independence of the federal judiciary.<br />He praised who he called an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.<br />It was the first time the chief justice spoke against Trump and it is rare for a U.S. chief justice to clash with a president.<br />Trump fired back on Twitter, defending his previous statement and launching fresh attacks against federal judges. <br />
