Tensions Rising Between State Leaders
Governor Joe Lombardo (R) recently shared some candid thoughts about Attorney General Aaron Ford’s (D) legal actions against the Trump administration.
In a Monday morning interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Republican governor criticized Ford for filing lawsuits without communicating with him. “Trump has done, if you ask me how he’s done so far, I think he’s done good,” Lombardo said. “He’s done exactly what he ran on and got voted on, got put into office.”
Lombardo called Ford’s actions “unfortunate” and expressed concern about the lack of communication between their offices.
What’s the Disagreement About?
The Democratic attorney general has signed on to more than five lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration. These range from fighting to block cuts to medical research at universities to challenging the power of Elon Musk and the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Ford is using his legal authority to oppose Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration. While the governor supports Trump’s border security measures, Ford has joined other Democratic attorneys general in challenging them in court. Ford has specifically challenged the administration’s deportation policies and restrictions on asylum seekers, arguing they violate legal protections.
Another key area of disagreement is about the Department of Education. The governor accused Ford of taking “artistic license” in his descriptions of the litigation about dismantling the federal Department of Education. Lombardo said there hasn’t been an explanation of how it’s going to be detrimental.
Why Conservatives Care About This
For folks who believe in limited government and state rights, this clash represents an important principle: who should have power over important decisions?
Lombardo believes states should handle education:
“States are better situated to understand the education needs of their own, and removing the Department of Education removes a bureaucracy.”
He added:
“I don’t think there will be any changes to how Nevada administers its education.”
This view aligns with conservative values of keeping government decisions close to home, where leaders better understand local needs.
In a statement following Trump’s executive order, Lombardo highlighted how returning control to the states will:
“enable long-awaited curriculum and administrative reforms, while expanding opportunities for school choice and educational freedom.”
The Political Angle
There are more than policy differences at play here. Ford has said he plans to run for governor against Lombardo in 2026, adding a political dimension to their disagreement.
While Lombardo acknowledged that Ford is “an independent and constitutional officer” with the ability to act independently, he still believes there should be better communication between their offices.
The governor noted that:
“Statutorily, Ford needs to inform Lombardo if he seeks third-party counsel; but outside of that, he can act independently.”
This legal nuance shows how complicated the relationship between these elected officials can be.
Ford had not immediately responded to a request for comment on the governor’s criticism as of early Monday afternoon, so we haven’t heard his side of this particular exchange yet.
What Happens Next?
This disagreement reflects the political divide in Nevada, even as the state supported President Trump in the 2024 election. With Lombardo backing Trump’s agenda and Ford opposing key parts of it, Nevadans are seeing their elected officials take opposite sides on federal policies.
For many conservatives, Lombardo’s support of Trump’s initiatives, especially on education and immigration, aligns with their vision for limited federal government and stronger state control. As Governor Lombardo previously emphasized, when it comes to education, “we will finally be able to teach common sense instead of Common Core.”
This sums up what many conservatives believe – that local control leads to better results for our communities.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
