By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
A coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general issued a sweeping rebuke of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, denouncing his escalating attacks on the legal profession and federal judiciary. In a powerful open letter to the legal community, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA), led by Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, accused Trump of attempting to subvert the rule of law by weaponizing the presidency against lawyers and judges who challenge him. “President Trump’s blatant disregard for the rule of law continues,” said Jennings and Raoul in a joint statement. “If Trump has his way, no one will be able to rely on the protections laid out in our constitution. We will not be bullied into submission or bow to extortion. We’re here to fight for the American people and protect our democratic systems without fear of retribution.”
The letter outlines a pattern of retaliatory behavior by Trump, including executive orders canceling government contracts with five law firms, revoking security clearances for their attorneys, and barring them from public buildings. The orders punish firms for representing clients, challenging the administration or holding differing views and demand the disclosure of confidential client contracts. The letter noted a particularly alarming provision that calls for the U.S. attorney general, in consultation with state attorneys general, to investigate firms with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The directive’s chilling effect was immediate: one targeted firm has already capitulated, agreeing to eliminate DEI practices and provide $40 million in pro bono work aligned with the administration’s agenda. “Attacking attorneys because they argued a case against the government or represented a particular client cut to the heart of the legal profession and threatens our work,” said Raoul. “It is also dangerous for the president to attempt to vilify the judiciary whenever they don’t agree with him.”
The coalition’s letter calls on the entire legal profession to resist political pressure and intimidation, declaring: “We will not sit by silently in the face of attempts to attack and intimidate the federal judiciary. We will not allow the rule of law to be undermined.” Joining Raoul and Jennings in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. “We stand with all our colleagues in the legal community who place the ideals and values of their profession over obedience and silence,” Raoul said.
