Maryland’s General Assembly on Wednesday approved a blanket authorization for state Attorney General Brian E. Frosh to sue the federal government, illustrating the eagerness of Democratic legislative leaders to challenge the Trump administration over undocumented immigrants, refugees, health care and other issues.
The proposal passed quickly through the legislature over the past two weeks on party-line votes that exposed an increasingly bitter partisan divide in Annapolis.
It will take effect without the signature of Gov. Larry Hogan (R), whose spokeswoman accused Democrats of engaging in “Washington-style party politics” and “philosophizing over what might or might not happen in Washington, D.C. — instead of focusing on Maryland.”
The joint resolution is one in a series of Democratic measures in response to Trump administration policies, including a bill that would set aside $3 million in the state budget for Frosh to protect Marylanders from “harmful” federal efforts.
Another measure, the Trust Act, would prohibit police and sheriff’s departments from complying with federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants; bar local authorities from arresting people for immigration purposes; and try to limit federal immigration officials’ authority to remove people from schools, hospitals or courthouses.
It’s funny how Hogan is accusing Democrats of “Washington-style party politics” when Hogan himself is doing the exact same thing:
Frosh said last week he asked Hogan on Feb. 1 for permission to challenge the constitutionality of Trump's travel ban. Hogan did not answer the request.
Republicans in the General Assembly have argued it is unwise to grant unchecked and expanded powers to the attorney general.
The Maryland Senate approved the measure on Friday. House Republicans unsuccessfully tried to water down the proposal on Tuesday by requiring Frosh to get approval from a panel of state lawmakers before he filed a lawsuit. The amendment failed.
Hogan is suppose to be this super popular Governor but he’s representing a Blue State which hates Trump. Democrats in Maryland found a way to shape the narrative so here to tie Hogan to Trump. Now all we need is a strong candidate to defeat him in 2018. Stay tuned.
