DAGA Download – December 4
December 4, 2020
ON THE TRAIL
MAINE THING
In a joint convention of the Maine House and Senate on Wednesday, Maine AG Aaron Frey was re-elected to a second two-year term as Maine’s 58th Attorney General. He was nominated by Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, and Rep. Teresa Pierce, D-Falmout. DAGA Executive Director Sean Rankin said, “During his time in office, AG Frey has gained the trust of Mainers and the Maine state legislature as a tried and true leader who stands up for the people no matter how big the fight. AG Frey continues to demonstrate why electing Democratic AGs is crucial to moving our country in the right direction, especially on issues like consumer protection, environmental protection, and health care.” Read the full statement on AG Frey’s victory here.
MULTISTATE MOMENTS
PUBLIC CHARGE WIN
A coalition of Democratic AGs, led by California AG Xavier Becerra and Washington AG Bob Ferguson, secured another victory to halt the Trump Administration’s cruel “public charge” rule – this time in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. AG Becerra said, “As we continue to face an unprecedented economic and public health crisis, forcing hardworking families to choose between basic necessities and maintaining their immigration status is inhumane. Attacking the healthcare of even one community is an attack on us all.” AG Ferguson said, “This rule, had it been allowed to continue, would have resulted in an estimated 140,000 lawful Washington residents losing their health care.” Read more about this victory in Bloomberg here.
THE CHECK ON POWER AMERICA NEEDED
Throughout the Trump Administration, Democratic AGs served as the last line of defense against the harmful policies and lawless actions pushed by the White House. A recent NBC News article found “State attorneys general have sued Trump’s administration 138 times — nearly double those of Obama and Bush.” DAGA Co-Chair Massachusetts AG Maura Healey said, “We had to be there under this administration as the president and his enablers engaged in conduct that was illegal and unconstitutional and did harm to residents of our state.” Read more about the leadership of Dem AGs during the Trump era here.
AG SPOTLIGHT
District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and former DAGA Co-Chair was elected by his colleagues to serve as the next National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) President. As part of his presidential announcement, AG Racine also announced the focus of his NAAG Presidency: tackling the rise in hate crimes and division in this country. “Given the clear increase in hate ideology and hate offenses — particularly over the last four years — the moment was right to put this weighty issue on the table. If we can get 56 attorneys general to make a pledge to stand up against hate, I think that’s massively significant,” said AG Racine. Watch AG Racine’s opening remarks as NAAG President below. Read more about AG Racine’s initiative to combat hate crimes in The Washington Post here.
BONUS: AG Racine appeared on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow to talk about the work he’s doing to hold the Trump campaign accountable.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
DAGA Co-Chair Nevada AG Aaron Ford getting into the holiday spirit with his family.
GIF OF THE WEEK
Once again, a member of the Shapiro family crashed a live interview with Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro. This time, according to sources close to the family, it was someone looking for their furr-ever home. Here’s the first look at Bo:
