California hires Eric Holder to spearhead “lawfare” battles against Trump

LESLIE EASTMAN JAN 5, 2017 10:00 AM

California has a massive housing crisis, pension troubles, and an escalating crime rates. So, what do the state’s leaders decide to do?

Hire one of the most controversial figures in the Obama Administration to engage in legal battles against the Trump Administration.

Bracing for an adversarial relationship with President-elect Donald Trump , the California Legislature has selected former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. to serve as outside counsel to advise the state’s legal strategy against the incoming administration.The unusual arrangement will give Holder, leading a team of attorneys from the firm Covington & Burling, a broad portfolio covering potential conflicts between California and the federal government. Former Los Angeles Rep. Howard Berman, a Democrat who is now a senior advisor to the firm, will also be part of the effort.

Exactly how many California tax dollars are going to be diverted for this legal war effort?

[Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount] and [Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles] agreed to pay Holder’s firm $25,000 a month, plus expenses such as travel and printing, for three months beginning Feb. 1. After that, the parties will renegotiate the deal, said Kevin Liao, a spokesman for Rendon.

Not all Californians are happy with this arrangement. One representative reminded her colleagues that the state already has plenty of lawyers.

Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, called Holder’s hiring “a waste,” noting that the state Department of Justice has a staff of 4,300 people and an annual budget of $830 million.

California citizens, who will now be footing this bill, also are less than thrilled at the prospect of paying for Holder’s services.

Though I will say this: It is good to see progressives embrace states’ rights with the enthusiasm once reserved for….Tea Party participants.

As a reminder of Holder’s qualifications, let’s take a look back at his legacy:

• Holder resigns in 2014, after numerous controversies, gross ineptitude, and arrogant political maneuvering at the Department of Justice.
• Attorney General Eric Holder advised state AGs that they may disregard their oaths of office.
• Holder Lied and People Died: Attorney General Eric Holder may have about when he became aware of Operation Fast & Furious.
• Holder in 1995: We have to “brainwash” people against guns
• Eric Holder’s Justice Department ignoring inquiries about why it dropped a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party.

The best explanation I have for the California legislators’ decision to hire Holder: The state recently voted to make pot legal.

Sometimes, I truly despair of the state of my state.

Those of you who wish to may now head over to the #CalExit GoFundeMe page. At this point, I can hardly blame you.

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