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The Role of the State Attorney General-Harvard Law School-Spring 2023
Section 5
4 minutes + 12 links

Relationship with Federal Government: February 20, 2023

Samantha Burke,
Peter Brann

State AGs have a complex relationship with the federal government, including the President, the U.S. Department of Justice, local U.S. Attorneys, and other federal agencies. Away from the headlines, in most cases, attorneys general cooperate with federal agencies to carry out federal policy, but in some cases and in some states, attorneys general attempt to either challenge or prompt federal action. 

The differing strains of this relationship do not necessarily divide on the usual partisan axis. Over the years, the relationship has been characterized by cooperation, disinterest, preemption, or outright hostility, some times even within the same Administration.  

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