North Carolina lawmakers are working to limit lawsuits challenging President Donald Trump’s actions. Since Trump took office, many of his executive orders and policies have faced numerous legal battles, primarily led by Democratic attorneys general from across the country.
These legal challenges have slowed down or stopped some of Trump’s initiatives, but now, Republicans in North Carolina are looking to end this by reducing the power of state officials, particularly the newly elected Democratic Attorney General, Jeff Jackson.
Despite Donald Trump’s victory in North Carolina in the 2024 election, the state saw significant success for Democrats in other statewide offices. One of the most notable wins for the Democratic Party was in the attorney general’s race, where Jeff Jackson triumphed.
His victory continued a long history of Democratic dominance in this office in North Carolina. However, the powers of the attorney general’s office are now in the crosshairs of Republicans, who are trying to reduce the office’s influence over legal matters involving the state and the federal government.
In response to their losses in several statewide races, North Carolina Republicans have wasted no time attempting to strip Democratic officials of their powers. One of their most significant moves was the introduction of Senate Bill 382 in late 2024.
The bill was originally presented as a relief package for western North Carolina, an area that had been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene earlier that year. However, along with the provisions aimed at helping the region recover, the bill also contained provisions targeting the governor, the attorney general, and the superintendent of public instruction—offices that were all to be held by Democrats starting in January 2025.
Under Senate Bill 382, the governor’s ability to appoint members of the state board of elections was removed. Additionally, the new law restricted the superintendent of public instruction’s ability to oppose the state’s review board regarding charter school applications.
The most controversial aspect of the bill, however, was the provision that severely limited the authority of the state’s attorney general. The law now prevents the attorney general from taking any position that conflicts with the state legislature’s position on a case. Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, denounced the legislation, calling it a “power grab” by Republican lawmakers. Despite his veto, the bill passed, and it went into effect, much to the dismay of Democratic leaders.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina also condemned the legislation, arguing that it undermined the will of the voters and weakened the checks and balances built into the state’s political system.
Liz Barber, the policy and advocacy director for the ACLU of North Carolina, criticized the bill, stating that it was an attempt to strip powers from democratically elected officials and disenfranchise North Carolina voters. According to Barber, the move to override the governor’s veto and pass the bill was an example of political strong-arming that threatened the democratic process.
But North Carolina Republicans were not done yet. In January 2025, just after the passing of Senate Bill 382, another bill, Senate Bill 58, was introduced to further restrict the powers of the state’s attorney general. The new bill was designed to prevent Jeff Jackson from pursuing legal action against Trump’s executive orders, especially those that Trump had implemented during his presidency.
SB 58 specifically prohibits the attorney general from filing lawsuits or taking legal positions that would challenge or invalidate any of the president’s executive orders. This measure has been seen as a way for Republicans to protect Trump’s executive actions from further legal challenges.
Mitch Kokai, a senior political analyst at the conservative John Locke Foundation, suggested that the legislation was less about defending Trump and more about redirecting the attention of the state’s attorney general back to the people of North Carolina.
According to Kokai, the bill was aimed at ensuring that Jackson would focus on his core duties, which include defending the state government in litigation and combating crime. He argued that the attorney general’s office should not be used to score political points or engage in legal battles that focus on national issues instead of the needs of the state’s residents.
Republicans in North Carolina have already passed legislation that limits the types of cases the attorney general can pursue. Last year, they passed a measure that blocks the attorney general from taking positions that would invalidate state laws.
Additionally, Jackson must now defer to the state legislature if lawmakers choose to participate in a legal case. Kokai believes that these moves are designed to keep the state’s top prosecutor focused on issues that directly affect North Carolina residents, rather than using the office as a tool for political opposition to the president.
However, Democratic leaders and legal experts view Senate Bill 58 as a direct attack on the state’s attorney general and his ability to protect North Carolina citizens. Jeff Jackson, who has been an active participant in lawsuits challenging Trump’s policies, has defended his role as attorney general, arguing that his office plays a crucial part in protecting the state’s rights and interests. Jackson has pointed to several important legal victories where his office successfully challenged federal actions, such as a ruling that restored federal funding for research at universities.
Liz Barber from the ACLU echoed these concerns, stating that the legislation undermines the attorney general’s ability to fulfill his constitutional duty. According to Barber, Jackson was elected by the people of North Carolina to protect their rights and uphold the Constitution.
By limiting his ability to challenge federal actions, Republicans were effectively weakening the state’s legal defense against unlawful or unconstitutional federal policies. Barber emphasized that the attorney general’s primary role is to serve as a shield against actions that would harm the state’s economy and the rights of its citizens.
The ongoing battle over the powers of the attorney general in North Carolina highlights a larger national struggle between Republican-controlled state legislatures and Democratic attorneys general. With Republicans seeking to limit the influence of Democratic leaders and prevent legal challenges to federal policies, the future of the state’s attorney general’s office and its role in protecting citizens’ rights remains uncertain.
This power struggle is unlikely to resolve anytime soon, and North Carolina’s legal landscape may continue to evolve as new bills and legal challenges are introduced. For now, Republicans are determined to curb the influence of state officials elected by Democrats, while Democrats remain focused on defending the rights and interests of North Carolina’s residents.
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Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
