Washington, DC – As the Trump administration makes its extremist agenda known to the public, state attorneys general across the country are preparing their legal defenses against the administration should Trump enact policies that would strip Americans of their freedoms.

The Hill’s Julia Mueller highlights the important prep work Democratic AGs have done thus far to prepare for an administration that seeks to target the most vulnerable populations.

Key highlights:

• “During his first term, state attorneys general brought a wave of lawsuits against the Trump administration as they worked to block moves like his travel ban and family separations at the border.”

• “‘…the actions of governors, the actions of state AGs, they really can make a difference not only in their own states, but across the country, on national policy,’ [Paul Nolette] said.”

• “…Democratic attorneys general led more than 130 multistate lawsuits against the administration,according to Nolette’s database, and boasted an 83 percent win rate.”
• “DAGA president Sean Rankin told The Hill that state AGs will continue their work in the courtroom during a second Trump term, but also work to ‘do a better job’ of explaining the work of attorneys general to the public.”

• “Attorneys general from coast to coast have been preparing for months amid the competitive White House race, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) told The Hill.”
• “‘I don’t wake up every morning dying to sue the president of the United States or his administration,’ New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin (D) told The Hill. ‘If he’s operating lawfully, we’re not going to challenge it. But when he violates the law, we’re not going to hesitate to protect our residents,’ Platkin said.”

• “New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), who brought a major lawsuit against Trump in 2022, joined with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to announce their offices would be convening regularly to‘coordinate legal actions’ and develop responses to the incoming administration…”

• “Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell (D) said she’s on alert for threats to reproductive health care, gun safety, consumer protections and other issues, and told The Hill that she has ‘real concerns about the president-elect’s position when it comes to the rule of law…The role of the Democratic AG is the most critical, I think, in this moment in time,’ Campbell said, arguing they’re ‘on the front line.’”

• “Washington state’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) won his gubernatorial bid on Election Day. He told reporters after the results that his office feels “prepared to defend” progressive policies in his state as both the White House and his seat changes hands.”

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