NC GOP Seeks to Limit AG's Legal Authority

North Carolina Republicans have introduced Senate Bill 58, aiming to restrict Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson from participating in lawsuits challenging executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Senators Eddie Settle, Tim Moffitt, and Bobby Hanig, seeks to prevent the attorney general from advancing any legal argument that could invalidate presidential executive orders. This legislative move follows previous efforts by GOP lawmakers to limit Jackson's powers, including December legislation that restricted his ability to challenge state laws and reduced power held by other Democratic positions. Jackson has joined lawsuits against Trump's orders on birthright citizenship and federal funding freezes, arguing they violate constitutional provisions. The legislation faces potential challenges, as the Democrats broke the GOP supermajority, meaning a veto from Democratic Governor Josh Stein could be difficult to override without bipartisan support. The North Carolina Department of Justice has not commented on the proposed bill.