State Attorneys General Withhold Records on Pre-Election Trump Lawsuit Planning

The Center Square investigative reporter Adam Herbets details findings from a confidential document showing nearly two dozen Democratic state attorneys general coordinated a legal strategy — the "Project for Federal Accountability" — to sue a potential second Trump administration months before the 2024 election. President Trump responded to The Center Square exclusive earlier this month. Herbets breaks down which states have denied, delayed, or heavily redacted public records requests related to the effort, and what several states are charging to release them. - The confidential document was reportedly created roughly three months before Kamala Harris announced her presidential campaign, according to The Center Square's investigation - California denied a records request, citing attorney-client privilege and burden across a reported 82 lawsuits the state has joined - Colorado quoted Center Square $61,641 for records - Nevada cited "common interest privilege" and Maryland said release "would be contrary to the public interest" in denying requests - Washington and New York provided some records, but both were heavily redacted - Hawaii is the only state The Center Square found signed the coordination document after Trump had already taken office - Oregon told Center Square it exchanged at least 1,000 emails related to the effort before Trump took office - The Center Square's investigative team is appealing record denials and redactions in California, Maryland, and Nevada