Democratic state attorneys general are announcing plans to “protect” against the incoming Trump administration following the former president’s electoral victory Tuesday night.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a press conference Wednesday that she has been preparing to “fight back” against a second Trump administration.
“My office has been preparing for several months because we’ve been here before, we faced this challenge before, and we used the rule of law to fight back,” James said. “And, we are prepared to fight back once again.”
As the New York attorney general, James added, she will not “shrink” from the responsibility to protect New York residents’ rights and the “rule of law.”
“No matter what the next administration throws at us, we’re ready. We’re ready to respond to their attacks,” James explained.
“Despite what has happened on the national stage, we will continue to stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, or retribution,” she continued. “We will continue to protect our most vulnerable and marginalized among us.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta noted in a Thursday press conference he will intervene if the Trump administration threatens the rights of Californians.
“You can be sure that as California Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights, I’ll be there. If Trump comes after your freedoms, I’ll be there. If Trump jeopardizes your safety and your well-being, I’ll be there,” he said.
Bonta added that he will use his authority to “stand up for all people” no matter the “politics.”
“I’m here to ensure every person, no matter how they look, how much money they make, where they’re from, who they love, how they identify, or how they pray, can pursue their version of the California dream,” he said.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a press release Wednesday in which he pledged to protect the well-being of Maryland communities, though he stopped short of mentioning President-elect Trump by name.
“Preserving the rule of law in service of justice for every Marylander remains my highest priority,” he said. “The Office of the Attorney General will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure the rights of Marylanders are protected, regardless of changes at the federal level.”
Early Wednesday, Trump asked that every U.S. citizen join him in “coming together.”
“It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” Trump said. “It’s time to unite. And we’re gonna try. We’re gonna try. We have to try. And it’s gonna happen.”
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