Texas has now reached a significant milestone, filing its 101st lawsuit against the Biden administration. This marks another chapter in the ongoing legal battles between the state and the federal government.
The latest lawsuits filed this month reflect Texas’ continued pushback on a wide array of policies, ranging from border security to federal regulations on communication and the investigations into President-elect Donald Trump.
The first lawsuit involves Texas joining Louisiana in challenging a new rule by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to federal prisoner phone call policies.
The states argue that the new rule preempts state laws and creates unnecessary financial burdens on taxpayers. Specifically, they claim that the rule violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which governs the way federal agencies issue regulations. The lawsuit seeks to block the rule, arguing that it arbitrarily limits states’ rights.
The second lawsuit targets the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filing a legal challenge to ensure that the Office of Special Counsel, led by Jack Smith, does not destroy records related to investigations into Donald Trump.
This lawsuit stems from concerns that key documents related to Smith’s prosecution of Trump might be lost or destroyed, particularly after Paxton’s Freedom of Information Act request for records was seemingly ignored.
The state’s long-running legal disputes with the Biden administration have ranged across several key issues. Texas has filed lawsuits over a range of actions impacting its oil and gas industry, border security efforts, election integrity, and various mandates related to public health and workers’ rights.
Among the most notable are lawsuits aiming to block Biden’s vaccine mandates, military mandates, gun control policies, and funding cuts to state programs like Medicaid and child support.
Attorney General Paxton has been a vocal critic of the administration’s policies, often accusing the Biden administration of overreaching and violating the Constitution. Paxton stated, “For the past four years, the Biden-Harris Administration routinely violated the Constitution to implement an agenda that harmed our Nation,” and praised Texas for leading the fight to uphold constitutional rights against federal overreach.
A prominent focus of Texas’ lawsuits has been the issue of immigration, with Paxton accusing the administration of orchestrating a “border invasion.” The state has also taken issue with federal policies affecting its natural resources and public safety initiatives, filing numerous legal challenges aimed at blocking those policies.
In the latest legal actions, Texas is taking a strong stance against the federal investigation into Trump. Paxton’s lawsuit against the DOJ seeks to prevent any destruction of records from Smith’s investigation, which has been a contentious issue in the legal and political spheres.
Paxton’s filing suggests a deep mistrust of Smith’s handling of the investigation and fears that records related to the probe might be destroyed without proper transparency.
Furthermore, the lawsuit is closely tied to a broader issue raised by the House Judiciary Committee, which has called for the preservation of all records related to Smith’s investigations of Trump.
The committee has voiced concerns that Smith’s office may have been involved in “gaming out legal options” in the event of Trump’s reelection, and they have demanded that all relevant documents be preserved.
Despite facing challenges from the Biden administration, Texas has managed to secure favorable outcomes in many of its lawsuits. These victories have bolstered the state’s legal standing and reinforced its position as a leading voice in opposition to federal policies it sees as harmful to its interests.
The ongoing lawsuits highlight the deep divisions between state and federal authorities, with Texas asserting its right to challenge what it considers federal overreach on numerous fronts. As the state’s legal battles continue to unfold, the outcome of these cases could have significant implications for both Texas and the broader national political landscape.
With the upcoming legal deadlines and ongoing investigations, it is clear that the Texas vs. Biden showdown is far from over.