By Brianna Kraemer
Carolina Journal
Republicans in the North Carolina Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that restricts the state attorney general from participating in legal actions aimed at challenging executive orders issued by the President of the United States.
The legislation prohibits the Attorney General from filing or joining lawsuits in state or federal courts outside of North Carolina that would invalidate any executive order from the President.
Senate Bill 58 passed the Senate on its final reading in a 29-19 vote, showing Republicans’ strong alignment with the Trump administration and a blow to North Carolina’s Democrats.
The move comes months into North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s four-year term, a Democrat who defeated Republican Dan Bishop in the November election.
While bill sponsor Sen. Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson, has described the bill as an overdue housekeeping move to address long-standing concerns over the powers exercised by the Council of States members, critics view it as a potential limitation on the attorney general’s capacity to safeguard state interests or challenge federal overreach.
“We should not take away the Attorney General’s ability to represent the citizens of the state of North Carolina when he has the opportunity to defend our state for jobs, for funding, for health care, for things that our people desperately need,” said Sen. Graig Meyer, D-Orange.
The proposal is already being considered in the House under a companion bill. If Republicans can coordinate an override vote against the governor’s likely veto, the law would take effect immediately and applies to all legal actions initiated on or after its enactment, signaling a new chapter in the state’s legal boundaries concerning federal executive authority.
Supporters of the bill argue that it preserves North Carolina’s autonomy and prevents the state’s top legal officer from engaging in national legal disputes that could undermine state legislation or presidential authority.
On many issues, a States Rights are most important.
Orherwise, the Fed has total control..of everything.
Exactly what many of you argue AGAINST.
Amen!!! NO ONE should be allowed to challenge a presidential order.
We really need to remove ALL council of states and consolidate ALL power within thr legislative branch. We’re already cut the governor’s power– not much more neutering we can do there! #MAGA
The NCGOP’s blatant attack on the powers of the North Carolina Attorney General, as seen in Senate Bill 58, is yet another attempt to consolidate power at the expense of democracy. Let me be clear—there will be a reckoning. Everything the Republican Party has done to cling to power will be reversed. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen.
North Carolina is becoming bluer with each passing year. More people and businesses are moving here from both blue and red states, bringing new ideas and values. That trend is unstoppable, no matter how much you attempt to rig the system.
To make matters worse for the Republican Party, veterans are now being shafted by Donald Trump, and we all know North Carolina has one of the largest military and veteran populations in the country. You don’t mess with veterans’ benefits and healthcare without facing serious repercussions. Thousands of retired service members vote here, and they will not forget who fought to keep America’s promise to its military personnel—or the party that stood by and did nothing while those benefits were gutted.
Another matter that could significantly affect voters’ decisions in upcoming elections is the uncertainty surrounding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
All these points mentioned above could spell doom for NC Republicans. Your power grabs are not a sign of strength—they are a sign of fear. The more you strip away democracy, the stronger the backlash will be. North Carolinians are watching, and we will remember.
They need to think about this, however, when there’s another democratic president…..