Citizen's Group Queries Maine AG on Trump Lawsuit
By: David Deschesne
Fort Fairfield Journal, February 27, 2019
A local citizen's group representing several Northern Maine communities has sent a letter to Maine Attorney General, Aaron Frey regarding his arbitrarily entering the State of Maine into a Lawsuit against President Donald Trump, relative to his border security efforts. Former Maine Attorney General, Janet Mills, also engaged in an illegal entry into a multi-state lawsuit against the President, purely for political ends, without express authorization of the Governor or Legislature.
The query to the AG is being spearheaded by Rep. John Deveau (R-District #149).
“It is to our dismay to learn that you have included Maine as party to a lawsuit against President Trump’s National Emergency declaration of February 15, 2019. Given the constitutionality and law allowing him to do so (including Article Four, Section Four: 'the United States shall guarantee to every state a republican form of government and shall protect each of them against invasion', and; Public Law 94-412, and 90 Stat. 1255 that allows the President to declare a National Emergency), we question this action,” the letter says. “With the constitution and law in the President’s favor, what gives you the authority as Maine’s Attorney General to list Maine a party to this lawsuit? The lawsuit states, ‘the suit alleges that the states are trying to protect their residents, natural resources, and economic interests from President Donald J. Trump’s flagrant disregard of fundamental separation of powers principles ingrained in the United States Constitution.’”
The group requested AG Frey answer the following questions:
1. Who contacted the State of Maine, if anyone, and who did they contact as public officials in the State of Maine to ask for this state to be part of the lawsuit? If no one contacted Maine, what public officials in this state are a party to the decision and inclusion of Maine in the lawsuit?
2. Who, if any other public servants, to include members of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches, were informed and provided support or non-support to Maine as one of sixteen states in this lawsuit?
3. Specifically, what exactly are the specifics you seek to protect Maine residents, natural resources, and economic interests from the President by being a party to this lawsuit?
4. We would like to know what protections are at risk to Maine citizens by virtue of this national emergency?
5. We would like to know exactly what natural resources of the state of Maine are at risk due to this national emergency? Please provide that list and how you determined it.
6. What economic interests are at risk in the state of Maine due to this national emergency? Please provide that list and how it was derived and who provided input to its creation.
7. Given the seriousness of the Federal government’s sole role to provide for the national defense of protecting our country, what steps is the state of Maine taking short of being a party of this lawsuit to protect Maine from the alleged infractions you seek in the lawsuit? For example, what is the executive branch doing (to include Maine’s National Guard and Fusion Center, and also the judicial and legislative branches )?
The group, as signed below, requested the Attorney General answer the above questions and concerns within 72 hours.
John Deveau, District #149 Representative
Citizens in Support of this Letter:
Kevin Bushey, from Ashland
Mary Bushey, from Ashland
Cindy Johansen, from Monticello
Gary Holcombe, from Bridgewater
Bob Roy, from Presque Isle
Joshua Holcombe, from Houlton
Harold Pelletier, from Fort Kent
Jack McCarthy, from Woodland
Phil Merletti, from Lincoln
Roger Ek, Citizen, from Lee
