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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Washington Attorney General Says He's Prepared To Sue Trump Again

TVW
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson says he'd ''be surprised'' if Washington state doesn't sue the Trump administration again in the future.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson predicts future legal battles with President Donald Trump. The Democrat said Wednesday that he’s prepared to sue the president again if he feels Washington state is harmed by White House actions.

Ferguson has made national and even international headlines in recent weeks for successfully suing to block President Trump’s travel and refugee ban. And Ferguson said future lawsuits against the president are likely.

“I’d be surprised if this is the one and only case that we have over the next four years,” he said.

Ferguson said his office is trying to anticipate future actions by Trump that might affect Washington.

“We’re looking at other things the president said during the campaign and potential executive orders that might come forward and putting a team in place that can analyze it,” Ferguson said.

Top issues for Ferguson are immigration, the environment and gay and transgender rights. He said the questions he would ask before filing another lawsuit include: how strong is the case and is the issue meaningful to Washington residents.

But Ferguson said his office is not adopting a “resistance everywhere” approach to Trump as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has vowed.

Ferguson appeared on TVW’s “Inside Olympia” program.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."