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A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has been meeting regularly to coordinate legal challenges against the Trump administration, according to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. In a recent interview with Source New Mexico, Torrez revealed the group initially met “daily” during the first 90 days of President Trump’s second term before scaling back to every other day.
The coordinated effort has resulted in Torrez leading or joining 36 legal challenges against the administration since January 2025. These lawsuits target a wide range of Trump policies, including the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and various immigration initiatives.
“We have kept our foot on the gas,” Torrez told Source New Mexico, describing the litigation campaign as an “ever-growing resource challenge to track and monitor the pending status of all that litigation.”
The legal resistance began immediately after Trump’s return to office. On January 21, just one day after the inauguration, Torrez joined 17 other state attorneys general and the District of Columbia’s attorney general in challenging Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Torrez called the order “a direct attack on the Constitution and the fundamental rights it guarantees to every child born on American soil.” The order remains blocked while litigation continues.
In February, Torrez spearheaded a lawsuit against the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, arguing that Elon Musk and the department were granted unlawful authority to implement budget cuts. By April, he had joined 19 other attorneys general challenging Trump’s executive order requiring proof of citizenship to register in federal elections. September saw him filing an amicus brief supporting litigation against the administration’s deployment of troops to Washington, D.C.
According to Torrez, the coalition began preparing for a potential Trump administration in early 2024, well before the election. However, he expressed concern that even successful legal challenges might be overtaken by legislative action, noting that “some of these actions that were pursued by the administration through executive orders are now being built into the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.'”
Torrez has been New Mexico’s attorney general since 2023, following two terms as Bernalillo County district attorney. His political career gained momentum in 2016 when he ran successfully for district attorney with financial support from a left-leaning super PAC bankrolled by billionaire George Soros. Campaign finance records show New Mexico Safety & Justice received a $107,000 donation from Soros and spent over $92,000 on media production and advertising in support of Torrez’s campaign.
The substantial financial backing reportedly prompted Torrez’s Republican opponent, Simon Kubiak, to drop out of the race. According to 2016 reporting by the New Mexico Political Report, Kubiak cited Torrez’s campaign finances as his reason for withdrawing, stating that “New Mexicans cannot afford to challenge anyone who has unlimited resources and support from a multibillionaire from another country,” in apparent reference to Soros, who was born in Hungary and resides in New York.
In the Source New Mexico interview, Torrez expressed alarm about the pace of policy changes under the Trump administration, claiming that “none of the institutions in our government have been built to respond and react to the scale and speed of the destruction that’s being wrought by the Trump administration.”
The coordinated legal resistance by Democratic attorneys general represents one of the most organized efforts to challenge presidential authority through the judicial system in recent years, reminiscent of similar tactics employed by Republican attorneys general during the Obama and Biden administrations.
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12 Comments
This is a complex issue without easy answers. I hope both sides can find ways to work together and focus on the best interests of the country, even if they disagree on specific policies.
Agreed. Compromise and good-faith negotiations are essential in a democracy, even when political divisions run deep.
This highlights the deep ideological divides in the country. I hope the courts can provide clarity and uphold the Constitution, even as the political battle rages on.
An impartial judiciary will be critical in navigating these complex legal and political disputes. It’s a delicate balance to maintain the rule of law.
The sheer volume of lawsuits is staggering. While I respect the right to challenge policies, I worry this could lead to legislative gridlock and undermine effective governance.
You raise a valid point. Excessive litigation can become a hindrance to progress, regardless of the merits of individual cases. A more constructive dialogue may be needed.
It’s interesting to see the extent of the legal battle between the Trump administration and Democratic state AGs. While I understand the desire to challenge policies, I worry this could further polarize the political landscape.
I share your concern about increased polarization. Constructive dialogue and compromise seem to be in short supply these days.
The legal battle between the Trump administration and Democratic state AGs is a concerning development. I hope the courts can provide impartial guidance and help find a way forward.
You make a fair point. An independent judiciary will be crucial in navigating these complex legal and political disputes.
This is concerning news, though not surprising given the bitter partisan divisions. I hope both sides can find ways to work together and uphold the rule of law, even if they disagree on policies.
Coordinated legal challenges are a concerning trend. Hopefully the courts can provide impartial oversight and ensure the law is applied fairly, regardless of political affiliations.