As Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey concludes his tenure before stepping into his new role as Deputy Director of the FBI, he reviews his accomplishments as the 44th Attorney General of Missouri. Bailey focused on a narrative of protecting constitutional rights, enforcing law and order, and pushing back against what he described as federal overreach during his time in office.
"I promised Missourians that I would restore the rule of law and fight for their freedoms," Bailey said in a recent recap of his legacy published by the Attorney General's Office. His accomplishments, as he lists them, include a series of high-profile legal victories that he claims saved taxpayers billions and vigorously defended Missouri's values. Notable among these victories is a $24 billion judgment against the Chinese Communist Party for its alleged role in the spread of COVID-19. This judgment is particularly significant as it stands as the first ruling of its kind worldwide, according to the AGO's statement.
The AGO's stance under Bailey also included staunch opposition to numerous Biden-Harris Administration initiatives. These efforts culminated in what Bailey termed as major victories in cases that touched on workers' rights, health care, education, and technology. Notably, his office halted what it referred to as the federal government's illegal student loan "SAVE" scheme, which purportedly saved the taxpayers half a trillion dollars. Another significant achievement, according to Bailey, was obtaining a court order that prevented federal agencies from allegedly violating the First Amendment rights of Americans—a case he called the most significant free speech case of a generation.
Bailey's summary also touted actions regarding child protection and family values, including a shutdown of a St. Louis clinic that performed transgender-related medical procedures on minors without parental consent. In the realm of Second Amendment rights, Bailey cited wins against what he described as unconstitutional firearms regulations put forth by Biden's Administration. These interventions encompassed a mix of legal actions and investigations, aiming to uphold the rights Bailey believes to be central to Missourians and Americans at large.
Supporting Missouri's agricultural sector was another of Bailey's priorities. His office combated federal regulations that, in his view, threatened the property rights and livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the state. Successful actions included halting the "Waters of the United States" rule and defending statutes that protect agricultural operations from excessive regulation.
As Bailey transitions to his new role at the FBI, the state of Missouri will watch to see how the strong legal precedents he set will influence future policy and legal actions. His legacy, as drawn from the Attorney General's Office recap, leaves a clear imprint on Missouri's approach to law enforcement and constitutional rights.
