Podcast Summary: "The Many Legal Fights Facing Dem AGs"
What A Day by Crooked Media
Release Date: March 11, 2025

What A Day, hosted by Jane Coaston, delves into the pressing issues shaping the United States each morning. In the episode titled "The Many Legal Fights Facing Dem AGs," released on March 11, 2025, Coaston explores the multifaceted legal battles that Democratic Attorneys General (AGs) are currently navigating against the Trump administration's policies. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, shedding light on the challenges and strategies of state-level legal opposition.

1. Introduction to the Legal Battleground

The episode opens with Jane Coaston setting the stage for a discussion on the aggressive legal stance taken by Democratic AGs. She references a concerning statement by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, highlighting the heightened political tensions:

Jane Coaston [00:02]: "It's a show that felt pretty okay until it heard Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville talking to Larry Kudlow on his Fox show Monday where he said this. We have no chance unless he does tariffs and holds people accountable to what's been going on."

Coaston outlines the key issues at hand, including the Trump administration's attempts to deport undocumented immigrants via the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) app and the potential rise in utility bills for over a million Americans due to tariff escalations.

2. The Supreme Court and Conversion Therapy in Colorado

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth, a measure currently under Supreme Court review. Coaston introduces the topic by explaining the case and its broader implications:

Jane Coaston [00:56]: "On Monday, the Supreme Court announced that they decided to hear a case challenging Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ kids."

Phil Weiser [02:41]: "If this cruel and this unaccepted practice of so-called gay conversion therapy is given First Amendment protection and Colorado's decision to regulate a practice... It'll be a sad day for America."

Weiser emphasizes the potential rollback of equal rights and the dangers of permitting harmful practices under the guise of free speech. He stresses that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but also causes significant psychological harm.

3. Democratic AGs' Multifaceted Legal Strategy

Cooston expands on the diverse range of legal challenges that Democratic AGs are tackling. These include combating robocalls, debt collection fraud, and opposing the Trump administration's efforts to restrict state autonomy on various issues such as birthright citizenship and federal funding for essential services.

Phil Weiser [04:17]: "We knew we were gonna face challenges. That's why even before the election, I and my colleagues were preparing... And we're ready for whatever's coming."

Weiser discusses the rapidity with which these legal battles have unfolded, contrasting it with the previous administration's slower pace in addressing similar issues.

4. Specific Legal Battles: Birthright Citizenship and Educational Grants

Weiser provides concrete examples of the AG's proactive measures:

Phil Weiser [04:56]: "I find morally offensive and legally unjustifiable... We were ready. And on day one, we were able to finalize the lawsuit and file it immediately."

He details the successful preliminary injunction against the administration's attempt to revoke birthright citizenship, highlighting the AG's role in safeguarding constitutional rights.

Another significant case involves Colorado's educational grants aimed at supporting rural teachers. The administration's abrupt cancellation of these grants without justification prompted immediate legal action:

Phil Weiser [06:25]: "Colorado has a grant we get from the Department of Education... I've got a clear harm to the people of Colorado, to our rural communities, and a clear legal violation. We took action."

This example underscores the AG's commitment to defending state-funded programs that directly benefit citizens.

5. Coalition Efforts: Protecting Gender-Affirming Care

Cooston discusses the collaborative lawsuit led by Colorado AG Phil Weiser alongside AGs from Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota against an executive order targeting federal grant funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors.

Phil Weiser [07:42]: "I'm a big believer in listening and I'm a big believer in hearing from people... I jumped into this case because our hospitals in Colorado were affected."

Weiser highlights the personal impact of such policies, noting testimonials from friends whose lives were positively influenced by gender-affirming care. He frames the lawsuit as a defense of state autonomy against federal overreach:

Phil Weiser [08:41]: "The federal government can't bully us into allowing people to be harmed in a way that I know... It's potentially a life or death issue."

6. Upholding LGBTQ Rights Amid Political Divides

Addressing internal Democratic debates over LGBTQ advocacy, Weiser defends the party's stance on inclusivity and equal rights, emphasizing the importance of principled leadership over political pragmatism.

Phil Weiser [09:06]: "People have the right to live as their best authentic selves... Attacks on anyone based on who they are... It's an attack on all of us."

Weiser argues that strengthening LGBTQ rights is integral to the broader Democratic agenda of fostering an inclusive society.

7. Personal Resilience: Holding on Amidst Legal Storms

In a lighter segment, Coaston inquires about Weiser's personal strategies for maintaining mental well-being amidst his demanding role. Weiser shares his approach to finding joy and balance:

Phil Weiser [10:22]: "I have two kids... a dog who I enjoy walking... I've gotten out skiing once this year... I enjoy watching TV with my family."

He underscores the necessity of personal resilience to effectively serve the community:

Phil Weiser [10:22]: "I need to stay in good shape, good frame of mind and stay fit."

8. Broader Political and Economic News Coverage

Following the interview, Coaston transitions to other significant news:

• Ontario's Electricity Surcharge: Premier Doug Ford's 25% surcharge on electricity exports threatens to increase utility bills for 1.5 million Americans, particularly impacting states like Minnesota, Michigan, and New York. Weiser criticizes the move as a retaliation against Trump's tariff policies.

  Phil Weiser [14:30]: "Believe me when I say I do not want to do this... That's President Trump."

• Elon Musk's Cyberattack Claims: Musk alleges that his social media platform, Twitter (rebranded as "X"), suffered a massive cyberattack originating from Ukraine, a claim he made without substantive evidence. Concurrently, Tesla faces significant stock declines due to public protests and internal challenges.

• NASA Job Cuts: Under directives from the White House, NASA has laid off over 20 workers, leading to concerns about the agency's capacity to address critical scientific missions, including climate change studies. Weiser voices apprehension over the diminishing role of government agencies in favor of private enterprises like SpaceX.

• Trump Administration's CBP Home App: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced the CBP Home app to facilitate the voluntary deportation of undocumented migrants. Coaston critiques the app as a tool for mass deportation without safeguarding migrants' legal rights.

• Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: In a conversation with Bloomberg Senior Story Editor Stacey Vanek Smith, Coaston explores President Trump's initiative to create a national cryptocurrency reserve using seized Bitcoin assets. Smith expresses skepticism about the reserve's purpose and its benefits to the average American.

  Stacey Vanek Smith [22:05]: "The digital strategic bitcoin reserve... is more puzzling because certainly we don't need bitcoin to make the economy go."

9. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Coaston wrapping up the discussions, emphasizing the significant role of Democratic AGs like Phil Weiser in countering federal policies deemed harmful to state interests and individual rights. The episode underscores the ongoing legal battles that shape the political and social landscape of the United States.

Notable Quotes:

• Phil Weiser on Conversion Therapy:

  [02:41] "If this cruel and this unaccepted practice of so-called gay conversion therapy is given First Amendment protection and Colorado's decision to regulate a practice... It'll be a sad day for America."

• Phil Weiser on Preparing for Legal Challenges:

  [04:17] "We knew we were gonna face challenges. That's why even before the election, I and my colleagues were preparing... And we're ready for whatever's coming."

• Phil Weiser on Gender-Affirming Care:

  [07:42] "I'm a big believer in listening and I'm a big believer in hearing from people... I jumped into this case because our hospitals in Colorado were affected."

• Phil Weiser on Inclusive Rights:

  [09:06] "People have the right to live as their best authentic selves... Attacks on anyone based on who they are... It's an attack on all of us."

• Phil Weiser on Personal Resilience:

  [10:22] "I need to stay in good shape, good frame of mind and stay fit."

This episode of What A Day provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic legal efforts by Democratic AGs to counteract federal policies undermining state autonomy and individual rights. Through the insightful conversation with Phil Weiser, listeners gain an understanding of the complexities and motivations driving these legal battles, as well as the broader political and economic context in which they unfold.