Nevada attorney general pledges to combat ‘unconstitutional mandates’ amid Trump election
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said his office was prepared to address any “fear and uncertainty” following the election of President-elect Donald Trump.
“While my office respects our political process and adheres to its outcome, it also acknowledges that the result of the presidential election has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainly for many Nevadans,” Ford said in a statement posted to X. “The president-elect’s rhetoric regarding, for example, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color has not gone ignored or unnoticed by my office.”
Trump has said his issues on Day 1 include mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and expanding oil drilling.
Nevadans elected Ford in 2018, two years into Trump’s first administration. Ford noted during that time, he and other Democratic attorneys general filed more than 100 lawsuits challenging Trump’s policies, winning more than 80% of the time.
Republican attorneys general have a 76%-win rate against President Joe Biden’s administration, The Hill reported.
Ford co-chairs the Democratic Attorneys General Association’s executive committee. Democratic attorneys general across the county have publicly noted they are preparing possible legal defenses should the federal government attempt to infringe on state law.
“We prepared for a Trump election in the event it took place. It has taken place, and we are prepared to pursue any form of protections via litigation, via comment letters, via communications, you name it, to protect the residents of our particular states,” Ford said about his office and other attorneys general.
“My hope is that the next four years pass by peacefully; that these concerns are unfounded; and that President-elect Trump oversees an administration that does not vilify communities that have been targets of hateful animus,” Ford said on X. “But make no mistake, my office stands ready for the alternative, and we will be a bulwark against any effort to impose unconstitutional mandates, override our system of checks and balances, or intrude upon the rights of any Nevada resident.”
Ford was re-elected in 2022 alongside Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s first term. A spokesperson for Lombardo did not return a request for comment and has not responded to any requests for comment regarding Trump’s win.
Ford added his office was investigating racist and homophobic text messages sent across the county and received in Nevada. A spokesperson implored anyone who has received one of the messages to file a complaint.
It remained unclear Tuesday if Democrats in the Nevada Legislature planned any specific legislation heading into the next legislative session, which begins in February, amid Trump’s win. If any legislation were to pass, it would face a possible veto threat from Lombardo.
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