Idaho AG-elect hires former Trump administration attorneys
Idaho will add a new position of solicitor general to challenge federal government actions and policies when Raul Labrador becomes the state's new attorney general in early January
Idaho AG-elect hires former Trump administration attorneys
Show all 2Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Idaho will add a new position of solicitor general to challenge federal government actions and policies when Raul Labrador becomes the state’s new attorney general in early January.
Labrador on Thursday announced two staff positions to be filled by former members of President Donald Trump’s administration: David Dewhirst will be Labrador’s chief deputy, and Theo Wold will be the solicitor general. Neither is listed by the Idaho State Bar as authorized to practice law in Idaho.
In announcing the positions, Labrador said the solicitor general will “ensure that Idaho’s interests are safeguarded against federal overreach.”
Only about a dozen states have solicitor generals. The states range from being generally conservative to generally liberal and include New York, Alabama, Ohio and Washington.
“I’m committed to modernizing and improving the office, and these dedicated and proven public servants will help me accomplish that goal,” Labrador said in a statement. "I look forward to serving the people of Idaho as we build a more prosperous, safe, and free state.”
Dewhirst earlier this month resigned as solicitor general for Montana, a position he was appointed to in January 2021. He was that state's first-ever solicitor general and sued the Biden administration over federal coronavirus vaccine mandates and the canceled Keystone XL pipeline project.
During the Trump administration, Dewhirst was principal deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Wold held multiple positions in the Trump administration. He was acting assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, and deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy.
Labrador, who has promised to make the Attorney General's office more partisan, beat five-term incumbent Lawrence Wasden in the May primary and then easily won the general election this month.
At least eight lawyers have left the office ahead of Labrador assuming the post, including the chief deputy and an attorney defending the state’s restrictive abortion laws. The office has 132 attorney positions in all.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.