DAGA Download – January 22
January 22, 2021
ON THE TRAIL
MAKING IT OFFICIAL
As of this Tuesday, all five Democratic AGs who won re-election in 2020 have been sworn in for their next term: North Carolina AG Josh Stein, Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum, Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro, Vermont AG TJ Donovan, and Washington AG Bob Ferguson. In his remarks about starting his second term, AG Shapiro shared that serving the people of Pennsylvania is “one of the greatest honors of my life.” In North Carolina, AG Stein said, “Our nation is hurting. There is work to do to heal and to make our state and country safer and stronger. Let’s get to work.”
THE DEMOCRATS
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced its new leadership that will steer the party for the next four years. Former Senate candidate and South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison was selected by President Joe Biden to become the next chair of the DNC. Check out DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Nevada AG Aaron Ford statement here.
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
‘TIL THE VERY END
On Trump’s last day in office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to repeal the Clean Power Plan. The effort to protect the Clean Power Plan was brought by a coalition of 22 Democratic AGs—led by New York AG Tish James and Washington AG Bob Ferguson. AG James said, “For four years, the Trump Administration has been consistent in undermining our nation’s response to climate change… the ‘Affordable Clean Energy’ rule did nothing to promote clean energy, and was not affordable for American consumers…I am proud of my office’s leadership in the fight against this unjust and illegal rule, which will no longer see the light of day.” More can be read here.
UNITY AFTER CRISIS
Every Democratic AG joined a bipartisan letter sent to then acting U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen, organized by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), condemning the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The letter was led by NAAG President District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and Colorado AG Phil Weiser.
ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS
Democratic AGs across the country are working with federal and state law enforcement to hold those who participated in the attack on the Capitol accountable. District of Columbia AG Racine shared that Trump could potentially face charges for his role in inciting the mob that stormed Congress. Learn more on that here.
BONUS: DAGA is working to hold Republican AGs and the Republican Attorneys General Association accountable for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Read more here.
SAFETY FIRST
Democratic AGs across the country also took action to defend state capitol buildings and cities amid continued security concerns following the January 6th insurrection attempt. Michigan AG Dana Nessel spoke with NPR about the precautions she is taking to protect the Michigan Capitol. DAGA Co-Chair Massachusetts AG Maura Healey sat down for a Q&A with the 19th News to discuss the precautions she and other leaders in law enforcement are taking to keep people safe. Minnesota AG Keith Ellison & DAGA Co-Chair Nevada AG Aaron Ford joined MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross to discuss how states are working together to confront security threats. And Virginia AG Mark Herring spoke to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about the lasted preparation for inauguration in the Commonwealth.
AG SPOTLIGHT
NEW YORK MINUTE
New York AG Tish James filed the first-ever lawsuit against the NYPD for the department’s treatment of protestors during last summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. In a news conference announcing the lawsuit AG James said, “We found a pattern of deeply concerning and unlawful practices that the NYPD utilized in response to these largely peaceful protests.” Additionally, AG James once again questioned the NYPD’s use of excessive force on protestors after this week’s demonstrations honoring Martin Luther King Jr, more can be read here.
MAKING IT RIGHT
Virginia AG Mark Herring launched the state’s first Conviction Integrity Unit. The office will identify and overturn wrongful convictions. AG Herring said “Our goal as a Commonwealth must always be always justice and truth, not simply convictions, or preservation and defense of convictions in defiance of logic, facts, or new evidence. To wrongly convict a person is to deny them untold opportunities and the chance to live their life in freedom and to choose their own path.” Read more about this new unit here.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
New York AG Tish James joined Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a town hall about the work being done by her AG office to protect immigrant families, take on the NRA, tackle the climate crisis, defend tenants, hold Donald Trump accountable, and more.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, history was made. Former Democratic AG, Senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States — a truly historic moment for women and girls all over the world, especially women of color. WATCH the DAGA video below.
