It Is War

For John, BLUF:  Actually, it looks more like political payoff than bright strategic move.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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California Hires Eric Holder as Legal Bulwark Against Donald Trump

Direct from the pages of The New York Times. Here is the plus four paragraphs.

LOS ANGELES — Girding for four years of potential battles with President-elect Donald J. Trump, Democratic leaders of the California Legislature announced Wednesday that they had hired Eric H. Holder Jr., who was attorney general under President Obama, to represent them in any legal fights against the new Republican White House.

The decision by the Legislature to retain Mr. Holder, who is now a prominent Washington lawyer, is the latest sign of the ideological battle that may play out over the next four years between this predominantly Democratic state and Washington.  Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for president, defeated Mr. Trump by more than four million votes here.

“Having the former attorney general of the United States brings us a lot of firepower in order to prepare to safeguard the values of the people of California,” Kevin de León, the Democratic leader of the Senate, said in an interview.  “This means we are very, very serious.”

Mr. de León said he expected California to challenge Washington — and defend itself from policies instituted in Washington — on issues including the environment, immigration and criminal justice.  He said California Democrats decided to turn to Mr. Holder as they watched Mr. Trump assemble his cabinet and begin to set the tone for his presidency.

“It was very clear that it wasn’t just campaign rhetoric,” Mr. de León said of Mr. Trump’s proposals over the past year.  “He was surrounding himself with people who are a very clear and present danger to the economic prosperity of California.”

These are attitudes that could have been copied from the Antebellum South.  And Former Attorney General Holder?  Once upon a time I thought he would be a pillar of strength in the Department of Justice.  I merely deceived myself.

Frankly, I don't think there is much gain in stoking the fires of rebellion, of succession.  But, last year lingers on, it seems.

Regards  —  Cliff