Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are discussing the issue of mass firings in various federal agencies in their new podcast, Pantsuits and Lawsuits. Recent government actions have led to a significant number of layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Centers for Disease Control, and nuclear weapons programs, prompting legal challenges across the country.
In an effort to address this issue, the attorneys general have teamed up. Leading a coalition of 14 states, they filed a lawsuit challenging what they consider an unlawful delegation of executive power to billionaire Elon Musk. Additionally, a larger coalition of 20 attorneys general has taken action against President Donald Trump and several federal agencies, citing the illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees, according to Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Their podcast aims to clarify these complex legal issues, and in the latest episode, they have invited Max Rose to share his insights. Rose, a former U.S. Congressman and Afghanistan war veteran, currently serves as a Senior Advisor for the VetVoice Foundation. He discussed the significant impact these layoffs have on veterans, government efficiency, and national security. According to the AG's office, "It was incredibly insightful talking to Max about what it’s like on the ground for federal employees facing this illegal, unprecedented upheaval." This quote, taken from the same episode, highlighted the broader implications of such 'bureaucratic shake-ups.'
The attorneys general are not only interpreting legal codes for their listeners but also reflecting on the tangible outcomes of their work, focusing on the real-world consequences that extend beyond the courtroom. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a key entity in these firings, is facing significant legal challenges for its actions against vital federal services. Through their podcast, Nessel and Mayes combine their expertise and humor to deliver informative and accessible content, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the work attorneys general do to serve and protect the public interest, as detailed in the press release.
Listeners can find these discussions on major podcast platforms, where new episodes of Pantsuits and Lawsuits are released biweekly. Nessel and Mayes cover state and national policy debates, analyze key legal cases, and provide insights into the legal landscape.
