In recent days, the role of the Attorney General has been at the forefront of several significant developments, highlighting the office's critical influence on legal and political landscapes.
On February 9, 2025, Vice President Vance sparked controversy with comments on judicial review, prompting a strong response from a coalition of state attorneys general. Vice President Vance suggested that judges should not interfere with the executive branch's legitimate power, comparing it to a judge telling a general how to conduct a military operation or commanding the attorney general on prosecutorial discretion. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 17 other state attorneys general, issued a joint statement vehemently rejecting these remarks. They emphasized that judges are essential in preventing the unlawful and unconstitutional exercise of executive power, a principle rooted in the concept of checks and balances and the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison. The attorneys general also highlighted their ongoing efforts to challenge unconstitutional executive orders through the courts, underscoring their commitment to defending the rule of law and protecting American democracy[1].
Meanwhile, on February 5, 2025, newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi began her tenure by issuing a series of memoranda that outlined significant changes in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) enforcement priorities and procedures. Attorney General Bondi directed the DOJ to focus on investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitate the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), shifting away from cases without such connections. This new approach grants local U.S. Attorney Offices greater autonomy to initiate and charge Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) cases associated with cartels and TCOs, reducing the need for central authorization from the Fraud Section in Washington, D.C.[2][5].
In another notable development, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans' private information and sensitive data, which the administration allegedly provided to Elon Musk and the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)." The lawsuit contends that this new policy, implemented on February 2, 2025, violates federal law by granting access to the Treasury Department's central payment system to unauthorized individuals, including Musk and DOGE members. This access could potentially allow them to freeze federal funds critical for various services such as healthcare, childcare, and other essential programs. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking an injunction to halt this policy and a declaration that it is unlawful and unconstitutional[4].
These recent actions and statements underscore the active and pivotal role that attorneys general are playing in shaping legal enforcement, challenging executive actions, and protecting the rights and privacy of American citizens.
