WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee is blasting a Texas federal judge nominee’s views as “reprehensible” after revelations that he once described transgender children as evidence of “Satan’s plan.”

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who sits on the judiciary panel with Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, indicated on Thursday that Democrats could hammer District Court nominee Jeff Mateer in confirmation hearings later this year.

“There’s no question these views cast serious doubt on his ability to fairly enforce federal law and treat people impartially,” she said in a statement.

And Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., another Judiciary Committee member, said Mateer's nomination was a new low for judge nominees.

"Republicans have lowered the standard for federal judges to get ones who will pass their ideological test: opposition to sensible gun laws, hostility to women's reproductive rights, commitment to protecting political dark money, and disregard for public health and safety protections," he said. "One even called a Supreme Court Justice a 'judicial prostitute,' but Jeff Mateer, who calls transgender children part of 'Satan's plan,' is a new low. This is just not normal."

Meanwhile, questions remain over whether Mateer, first assistant to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, disclosed his controversial statements to the state’s Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee.