R.I. AG Neronha blasts Governor McKee for denying additional funding as his office battles Trump
On the Rhode Island Report podcast, Neronha said states such as California and Hawaii have given their attorneys general more funding to fight Trump. But he said
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'Governor McKee is doing what he often does in this situation, which is putting his personal problems with me ahead of what's best for Rhode Island,' Neronha said. 'The only people capable right now of pushing back against this president are people who are in a position to sue him.'
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Neronha noted that he co-led a
He emphasized that federal funding accounts for one-third of the state's $14.2 billion budget. And he noted that it's still unclear if
'If that doesn't work out, who's going to be in a position to have to go to court to try to get it?' Neronha said. 'My office.'
While both are Democrats, Neronha and McKee have clashed in the past.
In October, McKee accused Neronha of directing
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On March 3, McKee released a video
'How?' Neronha said in response to the claim of fighting Trump. 'Governor McKee was really late to this fight.'
So is Neronha, who is term-limited as attorney general, still considering
'I haven't ruled anything out,' he said. 'I believe that I could do the work and do it well. But I'm not sure that's how I want to spend my 60s, and I have to figure that out.'
But Neronha indicated he is unlikely to run for lieutenant governor. 'I don't know that I'm wired to be a No. 2, honestly,' he said, noting he has led the attorney general's office and the US Attorney's Office in Rhode Island.
Neronha said he does see leadership qualities in other potential candidates for governor, including former CVS executive
On the podcast, Neronha said he does not support
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With Trump vowing
'What I worry about are unintended consequences,' Neronha said. 'There are very few crimes that are victimless and don't impact somebody in a serious way.' He said, 'I can see a path to supporting aspects of that bill, but I don't support it in its current state.'
To get the latest episode each week, follow Rhode Island Report podcast
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Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
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