Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump and other members of his administration. The lawsuit challenges Executive Order No. 14248, which aims to implement extensive voting restrictions. The attorneys general assert that the directive is not authorized by the U.S. Constitution or Congress and violates the separation of powers.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the Executive Order attempts to impose proof of citizenship requirements and threatens to withhold federal funding meant for state election administration. Minnesota Attorney General Ellison stated, “Elections in Minnesota are already fair and secure." He added that the order is an "unlawful attempt by the Trump Administration to take over significant parts of how Minnesota runs our elections.”
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon expressed his support for the lawsuit, stating, “The President’s executive order is unconstitutional and oversteps his authority." He added that the order could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans.
The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as Arizona, California, and New York, with the lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. They contend that the provisions of the Executive Order will cause serious harm if not halted.