A teacher who was fired from a Catholic school in Indiana after he married another man was surprised to learn the federal government has sided against him in his private civil lawsuit in state court, saying it appears the Trump administration is trying to “politicize” his legal battle. UVA law professor Douglas Laycock said teachers with secular subjects, as Payne-Elliott did, have typically fared better in court against the schools and churches. He noted, though, the conflict is an important religious liberty issue.