California hires Obama law chief to lead resistance against Trump agenda
California has hired LGBT rights champion and former Attorney General Eric Holder to represent the state, anticipating legal resistance to the Trump administration.
Mr Holder served as the country’s top law official from 2008 until 2014.
He was instrumental in the decision to stop defending the Defence of Marrriage Act in 2011 – paving the way for it to be struck down by the Supreme Court – and made numerous interventions championing LGBT equality on behalf of the Obama administration, vowing to “aggressively defend” equal marriage in the court system.
It was announced this week that ahead of the Trump Administration coming to power, the state of California has hired Holder’s law firm to lead their resistance to any regressive changes, specifically citing civil rights concerns.
The Democratic leaders of the California legislature announced: “With the upcoming change in administrations, we expect that there will be extraordinary challenges for California in the uncertain times ahead.
“The Legislature will work with the Governor and our next Attorney General to protect California’s economy and our sensible policies on climate change, health care, civil rights and immigration.
“This is a critical moment in the history of our nation. We have an obligation to defend the people who elected us and the policies and diversity that make California an example of what truly makes our nation great.
“To accomplish that we will assemble the best and brightest in defense of our values and constitutional guarantees, and towards that end, the Legislature has retained the services of an expert legal team from the nationally-renowned Covington & Burling law firm, led by former United States Attorney General Eric Holder.
“Mr. Holder and his team will serve as outside counsel to the Legislature, advising us in our efforts to resist any attempts to roll back the progress California has made.”
Mr Holder said: “I am honored that the legislature chose Covington to serve as its legal advisor as it considers how to respond to potential changes in federal law that could impact California’s residents and policy priorities.
“I am confident that our expertise across a wide array of federal legal and regulatory issues will be a great resource to the legislature.”
