What One Attorney General Learned From Suing Trump 46 Times

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Legal Battle Against Trump

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has been among the nation’s most active state prosecutors. During both Trump administrations, attorneys general from Democratic-led states have served as organized protectors of constitutional law, resisting federal actions seen as overreach.

From Resistance to Coordination

In the early years of the Trump presidency, a diverse group of Democratic attorneys general informally coordinated efforts to curb executive decisions they viewed as unlawful. By Trump’s second term, 23 blue states had formed a more structured and strategic alliance, acting as a constitutional safeguard against federal overreach.

Rob Bonta’s Approach

On Dahlia Lithwick’s Amicus podcast, Bonta discussed California’s evolving litigation strategy. Their conversation, edited for clarity, revealed the state’s direct and principle-based approach to federal challenges.

Dahlia Lithwick: “If my math is correct, as California’s attorney general, you have now authorized 46 lawsuits against the Trump administration. How does your office decide what deserves a suit and what doesn’t?”

Rob Bonta: “We don’t get to choose. Our rule is simple: If Trump breaks the law and it harms California, we sue. If he doesn’t, we don’t. When a president swears to defend the Constitution and immediately issues an executive order that undermines it, it’s our duty to act.”

Litigation as Constitutional Duty

Bonta framed his office’s strategy not as political opposition but as a legal obligation to protect California’s residents and uphold constitutional values. His record of 46 lawsuits underscores the state’s active role in holding federal power accountable.

Author’s Summary

Rob Bonta’s leadership shows how California turned legal resistance into a methodical defense of constitutional law, prioritizing duty over politics in facing federal overreach.

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Slate Slate — 2025-11-19

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