Today, House Republicans are taking another step in their baseless, politically motivated impeachment charade. This time targeting Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas despite having no evidence of actual wrongdoing, just grievances over policy disagreements. They know what they’re doing is all a stunt, Rep. Chip Roy said so when he called out House Republicans’ latest photo-op at the border. For the hearing today, House Republicans have brought three state attorneys general to testify who have their own history of impropriety.
First is Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen who is currently facing allegations that he and his staff made 41 violations of the state’s professional conduct rules. The Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel claimed Knudsen knowingly disobeyed obligations set by a court, undermined public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the justice system by attempting to evade the state supreme court’s authority, and assaulted the integrity of the court and its duly elected justices. Next is Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey who in April of 2023 suddenly withdrew his office’s involvement in a lawsuit defending the state highway patrol against a technology company after receiving large campaign contributions from PACs linked with the lobbyist working for the company. Finally, there is Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond who has a history of refusing to prosecute powerful individuals despite acknowledging they committed wrongdoing. First, Drummond dismissed charges against an influential state legislator even though Drummond acknowledged he believed that the state legislator, who a grand jury indicted, had “violated the law.” Drummond also refused to remove a sheriff from office who was reportedly part of a conversation that included racist remarks about lynching Black people and comments about killing journalists.
House Republicans have proven time and time again that they are only interested in scoring partisan political points, not seriously addressing immigration reform.
Rep. Chip Roy Admitted All House Republicans Have Done Is Pull Stunts For Photo-Ops When It Comes To Immigration
Rep. Chip Roy On House Republicans’ January 2024 Border Stunt: “Our People — Law Enforcement, Ranchers, Local Leaders — Are Tired Of Meetings, Speeches, And Press Conferences.” “Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said he won’t be attending the House GOP border trip Wednesday, calling instead for Congress to focus on new legislation and vowing to fight fellow Republicans to do it, if necessary. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is set to lead a group of about 60 Republican lawmakers to Eagle Pass, Texas, on Wednesday as the House zeroes in its legislative focus on the southern border as the 2024 election cycle ramps up. The congressman commended the trip but added that the House should instead be working on passing bills. ‘Our people — law enforcement, ranchers, local leaders — are tired of meetings, speeches, and press conferences,’ Roy said in a letter obtained by The Hill. ‘It’s time to act with urgency,’ he added, noting a ‘historical failure’ of Republicans to properly address border security in the past.” [The Hill, 1/2/24]
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen Is Facing Allegations Of 41 Violations By Montana Disciplinary Counsel Office
HEADLINE: “AG Austin Knudsen Charged With 41 Counts Of Professional Misconduct” [Montana Right now, 9/6/23]
September 2023: Organization That Investigates Claims Of Attorney Misconduct In Montana Filed A Complaint Against Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Alleging That He And Attorneys Who Work For Him Undermined Public Confidence In The Judicial System With Communication To And About The Montana Supreme Court. “The professional organization that investigates claims of attorney misconduct in Montana filed a complaint against Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Tuesday. The complaint, filed by Missoula attorney Timothy Strauch on behalf of the Montana Supreme Court-appointed Office of Disciplinary Counsel, says Knudsen and attorneys who work for him at the state Department of Justice undermined public confidence in the judicial system with their communications to and about the Montana Supreme Court during a lengthy separation-of-powers conflict with Republican legislators.” [Montana Free Press, 9/5/23]
Attorney General Austin Knudsen Faced Allegations Of 41 Violations Of The Montana Rules Of Professional Conduct Related To 2021 Litigation About The State Legislature’s Ability To Subpoena Judicial Documents. “The complaint alleges 41 violations of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct stemming from 2021 litigation about the Legislature’s ability to subpoena judicial documents that marked a high point in that conflict. Many of the counts focus on a letter from the late Chief Deputy Attorney General Kris Hansen to Justice Jim Rice — who acted as chief justice in the stead of Mike McGrath during the lawsuit — flouting a court order that quashed legislative subpoenas for court documents and accusing the court of interfering with legislative business.” [Montana Free Press, 9/5/23]
- Many Of The 41 Violations Attorney General Austin Knudsen Was Accused Of Committing Centered On A Letter From Late Chief Deputy Attorney General Kris Hansen Flouting A Court Order That Quashed Legislative Subpoenas For Court Documents And Accused The Court Of Interfering In Legislative Business. “The complaint alleges 41 violations of the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct stemming from 2021 litigation about the Legislature’s ability to subpoena judicial documents that marked a high point in that conflict. Many of the counts focus on a letter from the late Chief Deputy Attorney General Kris Hansen to Justice Jim Rice — who acted as chief justice in the stead of Mike McGrath during the lawsuit — flouting a court order that quashed legislative subpoenas for court documents and accusing the court of interfering with legislative business.” [Montana Free Press, 9/5/23]
The Montana Office Of Disciplinary Counsel Accused Attorney General Austin Knudsen Of Knowingly Disobeying The Rules Of The Court, Acting With Impropriety And Inaccuracy, And Being Disrespectful. “The complaint alleges that ‘sending the Court a letter to reargue an issue, resist the ruling, or insult the judge constitutes a knowing disobedience of an obligation under the rules of a tribunal,’ a violation covered under professional conduct rule 3.4: ‘Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel.’ The Office of Disciplinary Counsel takes similar issue with a letter from Knudsen to members of the Supreme Court accusing them of impropriety and inaccuracy, statements the complaint describes as ‘contemptuous, undignified, discourteous, and/or disrespectful.’” [Montana Free Press, 9/5/23]
- Montana Office Of Disciplinary Counsel: “Knudsen And Lawyers Under His Supervision Routinely And Frequently Undermined Public Confidence In The Fairness And Impartiality Of Our System Of Justice By Attempting To Evade The Authority Of The Montana Supreme Court And Assaulting The Integrity Of The Judiciary And The Individual Justices Who Were Duly Elected By Montana Citizens To Make Decisions.” “Based on that and other counts, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel makes a case that ‘Knudsen and lawyers under his supervision routinely and frequently undermined public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of our system of justice by attempting to evade the authority of the Montana Supreme Court and assaulting the integrity of the judiciary and the individual Justices who were duly elected by Montana citizens to make decisions.’” [Montana Free Press, 9/5/23]
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey Stopped Defending State Highway Patrol In A Lawsuit After Getting Contributions From The Company Suing
APRIL 2023: MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW BAILEY WITHDREW FROM A LAWSUIT THAT ACCUSED THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL OF HARASSING AN ELECTRONICS COMPANY
HEADLINE: “Missouri AG Drops Out Of Gambling Case After Taking Donations From Companies Suing State” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
April 2023: Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s Office Withdrew From A Lawsuit That Accused The Missouri State Highway Patrol Of Harassment And Threats Against Companies That Profited From Video Games Offering Cash Prizes. “Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office withdrew last week from a Cole County lawsuit accusing the Missouri State Highway Patrol of harassment and a ‘concerted campaign of threats’ against companies that profit from video games offering cash prizes.” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
- In 2019, The Missouri State Highway Patrol Began A Focused Enforcement Effort, Claiming Video Game Machines Placed By Torch Electronics In Convenience Stores And Truck Stops Violated State Gambling Laws. “Torch Electronics, founded in 2015, has placed thousands of its video games in convenience stores, truck stops and other locations across the state. Warrenton Oil, which operates more than 50 convenience stores, has Torch machines in many of its locations. Starting in 2019, the patrol began a focused enforcement effort on the belief that the machines violate state gambling laws. In 2019 and 2020, the patrol sent more than 200 cases to local prosecutors alleging violations of state gambling laws. Few criminal cases have been filed, however, and the Cole County lawsuit seeks to quash any future investigations. Torch argues through attorney Chuck Hatfield that its machines are legal. Under current state law, a game is considered to be gambling if the player risks something of value on a contest of chance or event outside of their control with the expectation of receiving something of value ‘in the event of a certain outcome.’” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
- Former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt Had Accused Torch Electronics Of Improperly Seeking To Delay Criminal Investigations Through Its Lawsuit. “While Schmitt was in office, the attorney general accused Torch of improperly seeking to delay criminal investigations through the lawsuit. The only way to truly determine if the games are illegal is through a criminal prosecution, not a lawsuit to block prosecution, Schmitt’s office wrote. ‘Plaintiffs cannot seek equitable relief because they have unclean hands,’ assistant attorney general Ross Kaplan wrote in a 2021 filing. ‘In choosing to conduct a criminal enterprise, despite knowledge of the criminal laws of the state, plaintiffs have subjected themselves to the criminal justice system of the state.’ The lawsuit in Cole County is not the only venue where Torch has gone to court to block prosecutions. In Linn County, Torch sued the local prosecutor after being charged with a felony; both cases were dropped earlier this year after a new prosecutor was elected. In Greene County, a lawsuit to prevent prosecution was filed after a raid where Torch machines were seized. That case has been dismissed.” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
Missouri Was Forced To Hire Outside Counsel To Take Over The Case With Torch Electronics After The Attorney General Withdrew From The Lawsuit. “In April, attorneys working for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey withdrew from the lawsuit citing a conflict of interest after the Republican accepted campaign contributions from political action committees linked to Torch’s lobbyist, former Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley. That resulted in the state having to hire outside counsel to take over the case more than two years after the lawsuit was filed. Pool, a Jefferson City attorney, made his first appearance in the case April 19.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/3/23]
BEFORE WITHDRAWING FROM THE LAWSUIT, ANDREW BAILEY’S CAMPAIGN HAD RECEIVED LARGE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PACS LINKED TO THE LOBBYIST WHO WAS WORKING FOR THE COMPANY
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey Had Recently Accepted Large Campaign Contributions From PACs Linked To The Lobbyist Who Was Working For The Two Companies That Were Suing The State Highway Patrol. “Bailey, who is seeking a full term in office in 2024, has in recent months accepted large campaign contributions from political action committees linked to Steve Tilley, lobbyist for the two companies that brought the lawsuit against the state — Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil.” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
- Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey Claimed An Unspecified Conflict Of Interest Was The Reason For The Office Dropping Out Of A Lawsuit Against The Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s decision to withdraw from a lawsuit against the state highway patrol has earned a sharp rebuke from his potential 2024 rivals, with candidates from both parties demanding he return campaign donations connected to companies suing the state. Bailey cited an unspecified conflict of interest for not being able to defend the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a lawsuit filed nearly two years before he took office by companies accused of operating illegal gambling devices — Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil. The state will now be defended by private counsel.” [Missouri Independent, 5/1/23]
Missouri Independent: “The Only Thing That Has Changed In The Case Since The Lawsuit Was Filed In February 2021 Is The Occupant Of The Attorney General’s Office.” “The only thing that has changed in the case since the lawsuit was filed in February 2021 is the occupant of the attorney general’s office. Bailey was inaugurated in early January, taking over from Eric Schmitt, who won election last year to the U.S. Senate.” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
FORMER MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC SCHMITT HAD RETURNED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY WHEN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AROSE
Former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt Had Returned A Campaign Contribution From The Owner Of Torch Electronics After Similar Conflict Of Interest Concerns Were Raised. “Moran noted that Bailey’s predecessor, Eric Schmitt, returned a campaign contribution from the owner of Torch Electronics after conflict of interest concerns were raised. He said Scharf would pledge not to solicit or accept any campaign contributions from registered Missouri lobbyists or the PACs that they control. ‘We call on Andrew Bailey to take the same pledge,’ Moran said, ‘and return any such contributions that he has already received.’” [Missouri Independent, 5/1/23]
SINCE 2014, MISSOURI ATTORNEYS GENERAL HAVE FOLLOWED A POLICY NOT TO ACCEPT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM COMPANIES TARGETED FOR INVESTIGATION
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office Had A Policy Since 2014 That It Would Not Accept Contributions From Any Company Targeted For Investigation. “Since 2014, the attorney general’s office has had a policy that it will not accept contributions from any company targeted for investigation. Schmitt returned contributions received in June 2021 from Torch owner Steven Miltenberger and his wife, Sondra Miltenberger, after criticism that, because of the ongoing litigation, they could be a conflict of interest. In mid-April, Bailey reported raising $305,000 so far for his campaign committee, including $14,125 in contributions from five political action committees linked to Tilley.” [Missouri Independent, 4/24/23]
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond Refused To Hold People Accountable Despite Acknowledging They Committed Wrongdoing
OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND DISMISSED CHARGES AGAINST A STATE LEGISLATOR DESPITE ADMITTING HE THOUGHT THE LEGISLATOR HAD “VIOLATED THE LAW”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond Dismissed Charges Against A State Legislator Even Though He Believed The Legislator “Violated The Law.” “Even though he believes Rep. Terry O’Donnell ‘violated the law,’ Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond today dismissed all charges against an influential legislator who ran a bill changing the law and legalizing his wife’s ability to inherit her mother’s state-appointed tag agency. […] Despite saying he believes Prater investigated the case independently without Hunter’s involvement, Drummond told NonDoc on Thursday that Hunter’s beef with O’Donnell became his justification to dismiss the charges. ‘I think he violated the law, but I think because he was targeted, I am not going to tolerate the prosecution of a legislator who has the audacity to hold accountable the attorney general. That’s just wrong,’ Drummond said. ‘He was targeted for what I believe is loosely a common practice at the Capitol. The letter (I wrote O’Donnell today) admonishes him and says that you did wrong, but it didn’t rise to the level of a felony, nor do I feel the need to prosecute.’” [NonDoc, 4/6/23]
- Oklahoma State Rep. Terry O’Donnell And His Wife Were Indicted By A State Grand Jury On Eight Criminal Counts, Including Conspiracy, Perjury, Violation Of A Law Regulating Official Conduct As A Legislator, And Fraudulently Obtaining Something Of High Value. “Rep. Terry O’Donnell (R-Catoosa) and his wife, Teresa, were indicted in December 2021 by an Oklahoma County grand jury. The convened body of citizens heard days of testimony from 27 witnesses and voted to indict Terry O’Donnell on eight criminal counts and Teresa O’Donnell on four of them. The counts included conspiracy, violation of a law regulating official conduct as a legislator, perjury, and obtaining a thing of value greater than $15,000 by false pretense.” [NonDoc, 4/6/23]
OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND REFUSED TO REMOVE A SHERIFF FROM OFFICE WHO WAS PART OF CONVERSATION THAT CONTAINED VIOLENT AND RACIST COMMENTS
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond Refused To Remove From Office An Oklahoma Sheriff Who Had Participated In A Conversation That Included Racist Remarks About Lynching Black People And Comments About Killing Journalists. “An Oklahoma sheriff who allegedly participated in a secretly recorded conversation that included racist remarks about lynching Black people and comments about killing journalists will not face criminal charges and cannot be removed from office, the state’s attorney general announced Friday. In a letter to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday, the state’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond said his office completed an investigation and found ‘no evidence’ that McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy committed any criminal act in the audio, which caused nationwide outrage. Drummond, a Republican, said state law doesn’t allow elected officials to be ousted ‘merely for saying something offensive.’” [CNN, 6/30/23]