Connecticut's AG Is Showing How to Fight Back Against Trump's Threats on Day 1

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong isn’t mincing words when it comes to Donald Trump’s looming threats to the Constitution. Speaking with clarity and conviction, Tong made it clear he’s prepared to lead the charge against Trump’s attempts to violate constitutional rights and states’ sovereignty. From dismantling birthright citizenship to trampling on labor rights, Trump’s grandiose claims are being met with equally robust resistance from Tong and his colleagues. These attorneys general are providing an early roadmap for how to use the legal system to neuter Trump’s most dangerous movies on day 1.

“I will be the first to sue Donald Trump,” Tong declared, adding that he and a coalition of 23 Democratic attorneys general already have lawsuits drafted and ready to file. “In Trump 1.0, we created a firewall to stop him, and I have the plan and the recipe for how we will stop him again.”

This isn’t Tong’s first rodeo. As the head of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, he has built a reputation for fiercely defending constitutional principles. Tong, who grew up working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, sees his journey from the kitchen to becoming Connecticut’s attorney general as a testament to what’s possible in the United States. But he also sees Trump’s agenda as a direct threat to that promise.

Tong specifically called out Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship, a move that would violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Tong vowed to defend this cornerstone of American democracy with every tool at his disposal, rallying a broad coalition of Democratic states to resist Trump’s unconstitutional overreach.

Democratic attorneys general have already shown their readiness to take Trump to court. They’ve fought to preserve the Affordable Care Act, protect DACA recipients, and push back against abortion restrictions in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Now, Tong and his colleagues are shifting from defense to offense, filing proactive lawsuits to counter Trump’s anticipated executive orders.

States like California and Illinois are already mobilizing resources, with Governor Gavin Newsom holding emergency legislative sessions to ensure funding for legal challenges. Democratic leaders across the country are creating a bulwark to stop Trump’s unlawful actions before they take root. Even local leaders, like the mayor of Denver, Colorado, have pledged to resist Trump’s agenda, vowing to stand against mass deportations and federal overreach.

While Trump’s legal talent leaves much to be desired—his senior advisers include figures like Stephen Miller and Alina Habba, whose tactics are often bizarre and ineffective—his rhetoric remains dangerous. Miller’s America First Legal nonprofit has been sending threatening letters to sanctuary cities, while former border official Tom Homan has been stoking fear in migrant communities.

However, Trump’s legal record speaks for itself. He’s more often a litigation loser than a winner, as evidenced by the resounding victories of E. Jean Carroll, who successfully sued Trump for sexual assault and defamation. Tong and his team have far greater resources than Carroll, and they’re poised to use those resources to expose the internal contradictions and unconstitutional actions that define Trump’s governance.

The schisms within MAGA-world are already becoming apparent, as Trump struggles to balance the demands of his wealthy corporate backers with the promises he made to his base. Democratic attorneys general are ready to exploit these inconsistencies, filing lawsuits that challenge Trump’s targeted enforcement of policies that disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.

President Biden’s record-setting appointment of federal judges has also tilted the judicial landscape in favor of democracy. Tong and other attorneys general will likely find their cases heard by judges who prioritize constitutional integrity over partisan loyalty, creating an uphill battle for Trump’s legal team.

Tong’s strategy is simple but effective: expose Trump’s lies and call his bluff. By rallying Democratic states and filing lawsuits rooted in constitutional principles, Tong is ensuring that Trump’s agenda doesn’t go unchecked. As Tong puts it, “We’re not just going to take it anymore. We’re on offense now.”

For swing voters who may still be flirting with Trump’s empty promises, this strategy provides a clear contrast. It’s about making personal connections, being authentic, and relentlessly delivering the truth. With leaders like Tong at the helm, Democrats are ready to meet Trump’s chaos with clarity, ensuring that democracy prevails over deceit.