A national coalition of 18 state attorneys general filed an amicus brief to defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster in a lawsuit initiated by the State Bar of Texas.
Montana AG Austin Knudsen, who led the coalition, said the commission’s complaint threatens the constitutional authority of elected officials.
“The weaponization of the bar complaint process undermines the constitutional authority of elected officials and the will of the voters,” Mr. Knudsen told the Daily Caller. “I’m glad I could support Attorney General Ken Paxton in this instance as a number of attorneys general, including me, are facing similar attacks from their political adversaries. just for doing their jobs.”
The coalition argues that the issue is not about the alleged misconduct but whether the court will allow state bars to take action against those with whom they disagree politically.
“The real question in this case is not whether the alleged misrepresentations amount to violation of the rules of professional conduct,” the court document reads. “Instead, it is whether courts will permit the politicization of the State Bars and weaponization of disciplinary rules against elected executive officers discharging their constitutional duties.
The attorneys general argue that allowing the case to move forward will encourage further bar complaints made for the purpose of “obstructing the ability of attorneys general and their staff to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.”
They are asking the Texas Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the appeals court.
“The Court should grant the petition, reverse the court of appeals’ decision, and render judgment on behalf of the First Assistant,” the document states.
- Alabama AG Steve Marshall
- Alaska AG Treg Taylor
- Florida AG Ashley Moody
- Idaho AG Raúl Labrador
- Indiana AG Theodore Rokita
- Iowa AG Brenna Bird
- Kansas AG Kris Kobach
- Louisiana AG Liz Murrill
- Mississippi AG Lynn Fitch
- Missouri AG Andrew Bailey
- Nebraska AG Michael Hilgers
- North Dakota AG Drew Wrigley
- Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond
- South Carolina AG Alan Wilson
- South Dakota AG Marty Jackley
- Utah AG Sean Reyes
- West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey
“Thank you to my fellow attorneys general for siding with law and order,” Mr. Paxton said in a statement.
“The State Bar is using a disgraceful tactic: weaponizing politically motivated lawfare to intimidate elected leaders and their staff from upholding the Constitution when it inconveniences their political agenda. This attempt to punish First Attorney General Webster and me for standing up for our country, our State, and our citizens will not succeed.”