ICYMI: New York Times: Suing the Trump Administration, Again and Again and Again

By Mike McPhate

If there’s a Democratic revolt against the Trump administration, California’s attorney general is arguably one of its more important architects.

Since taking the job in January, Xavier Becerra has brought dozens of legal actions against the federal government.

He has challenged the travel ban, threats to federal funding, the plan to end the “dreamer” program, changes to health care and environmental policy and, just Wednesday, the proposed border wall.

In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Becerra, 59, said he saw his role as one of safeguarding California’s ability to prosper.

“California is not looking to pick a fight,” he said. “But if Trump is trying to get in our way, that’s when we go at it.”

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In California, the biggest state by population, Mr. Becerra brings more firepower than anyone to the fight. His Department of Justice has more than 4,500 employees and a budget of more than $800 million.

“He’s on the front lines. He’s got the budget. He has the position in California government. He’s got access to national media given that it’s California,” said John J. Pitney, Jr., a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College. “A vigorous California attorney general can have a real impact.”

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Mr. Becerra is not the first attorney general to go hard at a president from a rival party.

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If Mr. Becerra’s pace continues, he could well surpass that.

He’s got another legal action cooking, he said on Thursday, this time on the environment.

Read the full story here.