States AGs Emphasize Rule of Law; Look Forward to Working with Trump's Justice Department

Back in May, at the RNLA’s annual National Policy Conference, one of its highly-praised panels included a discussion and conversation with three current sitting state Attorneys General—Attorney General Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Attorney General Curtis Hill of Indiana, and Attorney General Jeff Landry of Louisiana.

They took a few moments to speak about their priorities in their home states as well as how they each saw their role at their home state’s chief lawyer.

Arkansas's Attorney General Leslie Rutledge spoke of the benefits of working with Trump Administration, rather than against the liberal and leftist policies of the previous administration. She also discussed her historic win as Arkansas’s first Republican Attorney General and her ongoing work to make the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office more accessible to all its residents.

[P]eople don't know all that we do in the Attorney General's Office. I really strive to reach more people. We have 75 counties in Arkansas. I've launched mobile offices and we go to every single county every year. This will be the third year in a row. I have personally gone to every county, all 75, holding “Rutledge Roundtables.” There is no litmus test to attend those roundtables. . . . We have to talk to people[, including those] who do not agree with us, and we have to do a better job of being public servants of letting people know how they can get help from our office. That's the one thing I have learned the most, how big the role of attorney general is and how much we can impact people daily life…

Jeff Landry, the new Attorney General of Louisiana, was most concerned about ensuring that police have the resources and ability to combat crime in their communities.

One of the most important roles we play is assuring the rule of law is actually followed. It's scary when you have to say that this country, to think that there are laws out there that [key members from the prior administration were just] picking and choosing whether or not they were going to follow them.

Attorney General Curtis Hill of Indiana ran and won on promising greater accountability and oversight as his priority in his new tenure as Attorney General--to serve the people. Beckoning back to President Reagan, Hill also wants to return common sense to his office.

My role as Attorney General remains the same regardless of who is in the White House. . . . My job is to defend the interests of my state and my people. Regardless of what the threat might be . . . [if we believe] some type of behavior is unconstitutional or we believe it to the detriment of Indiana, my office will act and will not act without any hesitation.

While each state varied a bit in their own agendas, there were some clear similarities. Specifically, each of the Attorneys General expressed enthusiasm about working with the Trump Administration and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session’s Justice Department. They also look forward to the addition of great judges, like Justice Gorsuch, and the score of other well qualified textualist judges recently nominated to the federal courts.

You can view the entirety of this discussion, here at C-SPAN. They taped the entire day’s public sessions. The AG Panel begins just after the 2-hour mark (about 2:02:00).



LOOKING FORWARD:

On August 4th and 5th, the RNLA is planning another stellar lineup of speakers for its annual National Election Law Seminar and you will be able to earn up to 9 hours of CLE credit, including an hour of ethics credit. This year, the RNLA is going to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which was a pivotal swing state in the 2016 Election. 

A keynote speaker at the Seminar will be Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee. In the coming weeks, we will have additional announcements of keynote speakers and specials guests in attendance. Tickets are available now. The special early bird rate will end on Friday, July 14.  Also, specially discounted hotel rooms are still available for attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!

Three State Attorneys General to Speak at RNLA's National Policy Conference on May 5

The RNLA is honored to host three distinguished state attorneys general to speak at its National Policy Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on May 5: Curtis Hill, Attorney General, State of Indiana; Jeff Landry, Attorney General, State of Louisiana; and Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General, State of Arkansas.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has focused his agenda on four priorities: rolling back federal overreach; protecting families from drugs and violent crime; safeguarding consumers from fraud and scams; and inspiring youth to pursue meaningful lives.  Prior to his election last November as the top vote-getter of any elected official in Indiana history, General Hill was serving his fourth term as Elkhart County prosecutor.  General Hill has served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Indiana State Bar Association; Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving (past chairman); Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (past trustee); and Board of Regents for the National College of District Attorneys, in addition to serving his community through leadership in a many other organizations. 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2010, where he was ferocious advocate of the Constitution, a leader on national energy policy emphasizing increased domestic oil and gas production, an activist for conservative family values, and a promoter of true reductions in wasteful government spending.  General Landry is a veteran of Desert Storm and left the military with the rank of Sergeant. He received the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Ribbon, an Overseas Training Ribbon and the Louisiana War Cross from his eleven years of service as a member of the Louisiana National Guard. 

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected attorney general.  Along with making the office more accessible, General Rutledge’s priorities have included creating more awareness of the office’s services, such as consumer protection and internet safety for all ages and skill levels; leading efforts to combat domestic violence; and focusing on making the office the top law firm for Arkansans.  She previously served as Deputy Counsel for the Mike Huckabee for President campaign, Deputy Counsel at the National Republican Congressional Committee and Counsel for the Republican National Committee, including during the 2012 Presidential campaign cycle.  General Rutledge is a leader in numerous community organizations including the Junior League, Alpha Delta Pi Alumni, National Rifle Association, and Women in Networking in Central Arkansas.

The early bird registration discount for the National Policy Conference ends next Tuesday, April 18.  Sign up to join us for this exciting event and hear from General Hill, General Landry, and General Rutledge!