Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have introduced bills aimed at restricting the state attorney general’s ability to challenge executive orders issued by President Donald Trump.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat elected last year, has played an active role in challenging several executive orders from the Trump administration. These include efforts to end birthright citizenship and freeze federal grant funding.
Jackson, working alongside other Democratic attorneys general, has argued that such policies could negatively impact North Carolina. In multiple cases, federal judges have ruled that the executive orders were likely unconstitutional or unlawful.
Republican lawmakers responded to Jackson’s actions with bills to limit the attorney general’s power over executive orders. A recently passed bill would ban the attorney general from suing or filing amicus briefs on executive orders.
Senator Bobby Hanig, a Republican from Currituck, defended the initiative, stating, “I think we’ve gone over the last several decades of giving our Council of State seats too much authority. All their authority is given to them by this General Assembly, and we need to control that.”
Democratic lawmakers have strongly criticized the proposed legislation. Senator Lisa Grafstein, a Democrat from Wake County, pointed out that Jackson has challenged only a few out of approximately 65 executive orders and has been successful in those cases. She warned that restricting the attorney general’s power could undermine the checks and balances between state and federal governments.
Legal scholars, including Lydia Lavelle from North Carolina Central University, have also raised constitutional concerns. Lavelle said the attorney general may challenge the bill in court to protect North Carolina residents’ rights.
