Two recent letters to the editor (Mike Shouse, Dec. 18 and John Van Dalen, Dec. 26) regarding my successful litigation against the Trump administration remind me of Sen Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s quote: “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Regarding my 5-0 record against the Trump administration, Mr. Shouse asserts that “most” of those decisions “will be overturned by the higher courts.”
That is incorrect. In fact, those five cases are over, and there are no more appeals. Just like the Seahawks can’t go back and replay their loss against the Rams, the Trump administration can’t go back to re-litigate their defeats in these cases.
Both letters assert that I’m using taxpayer dollars to challenge President Trump’s unlawful actions. That is also incorrect. My consumer protection, antitrust, and civil rights units are receiving zero dollars from taxpayers.
That’s not a typo. In fact, these legal teams are funded entirely by successful litigation against powerful special interests that don’t play by the rules.
Indeed, Mr. Shouse describes my claim that these divisions are self-sustaining from recoveries as “ridiculous.”
I hate to break it to you, Mr. Shouse, but it’s true. In fact, my affirmative litigation divisions are that rare thing in state government — bringing back more money for both the people and the state of Washington than they spend. Just one example — we recently mailed $41 million to thousands of Washingtonians ripped off by a global price-fixing scheme.
I understand that my legal team’s repeated victories against the Trump administration frustrate individuals like Mr. Shouse and Mr. Van Dalen. But I have another fact for them: I won’t stop making sure the president follows the rule of law.
Bob Ferguson
Washington Attorney General
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
