Hes Americas ball-busting sweetheart
He's America's ball-busting sweetheart Karen Ducey/Getty Images

In today’s world of upheaval and unrest there are only two constants: the unshakeable fact of our fragile mortality and that Attorney General Bob Ferguson will sue the Trump administration.

With attacks on everyone’s personal freedoms coming weekly, it seems like Ferguson is firing off a new suit just as often. Most of them make the headlines. You’ve seen them: stuff like “Bob Ferguson won’t let Jeff Sessions take our weed!” even though that one technically isn’t a suit (yet) or “Bob Ferguson says the travel ban is fucked up” — that one includes parts one, two, and three.

However, a lot of what Bobby Ferg’s been up to hasn’t been widely publicized, and even the lawsuits that have been get buried by the aforementioned exhausting news cycle. Here at The Stranger, as a lowly intern a staff writer, I was tasked with compiling all of these lawsuits.

Jan. 30, 2017: Washington v. Trump: The original travel ban lawsuit
Let’s set the scene. Donald Trump had been president for 10 days. He issued a bullshit executive order on immigration that banned refugees and temporarily restricted access into the U.S. for the citizens of seven majority Muslim countries. Bob Ferguson said, “over my dead body” and also “that’s not constitutional” and Washington became the first state to sue Trump.
Where it stands: Judge James Robart temporarily blocked the executive order from taking effect. It was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in February. The Trump administration retracted the order.

March 15th: Washington v. Trump: Travel Ban 2: Return of the Travel Ban
Trump revised his original travel ban. Instead of blocking citizens from seven countries it would only be six now. Ah, progress. Two days later, Our Good Pal Bob said Washington would block that ban, too.
Where it stands: A judge in Hawaii stopped Trump from implementing the ban in full.

March 31, 2017: The One About Ceiling Fans
There was a delay in implementing new energy efficiency standards. Mainly in ceiling fans. New York v. Rick Perry and the U.S. Department of Energy was led by New York. Washington hopped on in support. The rules would reduce energy consumption and save consumers between $4.5 billion and $12.1 billion.
Where it stands: The Department of Energy announced that the rules would go into effect.

May 9, 2017: The Coal-Mining-Is-Bad-Why-Aren’t-You-Getting-This Lawsuit
The Department of the Interior restarted a program to lease coal-mining rights on public lands. It ignored a nearly 40-year-old study that discussed the negative impacts of mining on federal land. California v. Ryan Zinke, et al. challenged this. Washington and three other states sued.
Where it stands: Pending

June 13, 2017: Lawsuits Are The Only Defense Against Climate Change
Another EPA suit because Rick Perry is an ignorant weasel. California v. Perry and the U.S. Department of Energy proposes that the Department of Energy illegally delayed the publishing of new energy efficiency standards for things like walk-in coolers, portable air conditioners and air compressors. Those standards could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 26 million metric tons per year and save $24 billion throughout the next 30 years, according to the lawsuit claims.
Where it stands: Pending

June 20, 2017: There’s A Clean Air Act, You Assholes
Did you think we were done with the EPA suits? Bob Ferguson and Co. are just getting started! This time the EPA violated the Clean Air Act when it didn’t implement regulations for emissions new oil and gas facilities. Clean Air Council v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ensued.
Where it stands: Washington wins.

July 6, 2017: Pruitt Sued For Just Being Dumb
League of United Latin American Citizens v. Pruitt and the EPA was started by New York and others joined in. It’s a doozy. Apparently, it’s a lawsuit that orders Scott Pruitt (EPA chief) to learn. Specifically, he has to study the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos to determine whether it’s safe to use. (It probably isn’t). "President Trump's EPA is willfully ignoring scientific evidence that chlorpyrifos is harmful to human health," Ferguson said in a news release.
Where it stands: Pending

July 6, 2017: The “Why Does Betsy Hate Students? Doesn’t She Have Kids?” Lawsuit
Betsy DeVos is a monster who hates education. She made an announcement that the Department of Education would suspend a rule (the borrower defense rule) that protects students from predatory loan practices of for-profit colleges. So, Massachusetts sued in Massachusetts v. Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education. Washington and the rest joined in, you know the drill now.
Where it stands: Pending

July 24, 2017: Chemical Disasters Are Bad Lawsuit
Scott Pruitt and the EPA delayed putting a rule into effect that protects workers, communities, and first responders from chemical accidents. New York v. Scott Pruitt was filed by the Attorney General of New York. Washington and nine additional states signed the lawsuit.
Where it stands: Pending

August 1, 2017: Scott Pruitt’s One Day Ozone Backpedal
Scotty P. announced he “was going to delay designating which areas of the country met new standards for ground-level ozone,” Ferguson wrote. New York v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency challenged that. One day later, Pruitt changed his mind and said he wouldn’t actually delay.
Where it stands: “Lol JK” - Scott Pruitt in the face of a(nother) lawsuit

September 6, 2017: Please Save DACA Lawsuit
Trump tried to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. New York, Washington, and Massachusetts weren’t going to let that happen without a fight. They were co-leads on New York et al. v. Donald Trump et al.
Where it stands: Trump’s effort to ban DACA blocked

September 20, 2017: Greenhouse Gases Are Also Bad Lawsuit
More agencies trying to wiggle their way out of environmental regulation. California et al. v. U.S. Department of Transportation occurred when the Department of Transportation illegally suspended the effective date for a rule that required states to measure greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles and to measure these emissions. Washington and eight other states sued.
Where it stands: The Federal Highway Administration backed off and said the rules would go into effect "pending a procedurally valid repeal."

September 25, 2017: Donald Trump Doesn’t Think Trans People Are People
Donald Trump is no friend of the LGBTQ community. In a series of tweets over the summer he announced that transgender people wouldn’t be able to serve in the military. Karnoski, et al. v. Donald Trump et al. is Washington’s suit that accuses Trump of violating transgender people’s constitutional rights.

Where it stands: U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman temporarily suspended Trump's ban on openly transgender people in the U.S. military.

October 9, 2017: God Doesn’t Have A Say About Our Birth Control Lawsuit
Trump, the picture of religious piety, made a ruling that businesses could deny coverage for contraceptives based on religious and moral reasons. Ferguson challenged that steaming hot pile of garbage in Washington v. Donald Trump
Where it stands: Pending

October 11, 2017: Travel Ban 3: The Reckoning
Third time wasn’t quite the charm for Trump’s travel ban. Bob Ferguson and compatriots put up the same fight they had the two previous times in Washington v. Donald Trump. He’s really into restricting who can enter our country!
Where it stands: The Supreme Court has sided with Trump and accepted the travel ban.

Oct. 14, 2017: Poor People Should Have Healthcare Too Lawsuit
Subsidy payments for healthcare help low-income people by reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Of course, understanding that, we can also understand why Trump made a decision to end these Obama-era subsidies. Probably something along the lines of he hates poor people. California, et al. v. Donald Trump pits 17 states, including D.C., against this decision. Fergy Ferg wrote on his website that “this action will increase the premiums of 100,000 Washingtonians by as much as 28 percent." Obviously he had to stop it.
Where it stands: A judge in California refused to force the Trump administration to reinstate the subsidies, the Los Angeles Times reported. Judge Vince Chabria rejected the states' argument, saying other states have been preparing for the subsidies to disappear.

October 17, 2017: Why Does This Administration Hate Students? Lawsuit
“The gainful employment rule keeps colleges from offering worthless degrees and leaving their graduates with high levels of debt,” says Bob Ferguson’s website. The Department of Education allegedly illegally delayed the gainful employment rule. States (17 of them!) had something to say about that in Maryland, et al. v. U.S. Department of Education.
Where it stands: Pending

October 17, 2017: Immigration Enforcement Should Stop Being Shady Lawsuit
Wow, busy day for lawsuits. Bob and nine other AG’s accused the Trump administration of not complying with the Freedom of Information Act when it comes to information on federal immigration enforcement. Massachusetts et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security was filed and asks the judge to compel the release of that information.
Where it stands : Pending

December 5, 2017: This Ground Level Ozone Shit Again Lawsuit
Look out EPA, Bob is back and better than ever. He’s had it with your regulation delays. California, et al. v. Scott Pruitt and the EPA claims that the EPA is violating the Clean Air Act by delaying regulations on ground level ozone. It has been found to cause asthma and other respiratory problems.
Where it stands: On March 12, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr. granted summary judgement in favor of the states, ruling that the EPA violated the Clean Air Act and ordering the agency to adopt the designations by no later April 30, 2018.

January 31, 2018: Give Bob Your Records Lawsuit
Bob had a bone to pick with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. There were periods where the FERC failed to communicate, hold public meetings, and more. Also, they straight up ghosted Bob and didn’t respond to his public records request about those instances. Thus, Washington v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was born.
Where it stands : Pending
Other states involved: None

February 6, 2018: The EPA Wants To Poison Our Waters Probably Lawsuit
The EPA wanted to suspend the “waters of the United States” rule which clarified which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act. The EPA these days really just does the opposite of its job description. New York v. Scott Pruitt is an attempt to prevent the EPA from doing that.
Where it stands : Pending

February 22, 2018: Net Neutrality Is Good We All Know This Lawsuit
The 21 states in New York et. al. v. Federal Communications Commission contended that the Federal Communications Commission’s attempt to end net neutrality violated the First Amendment.
Where it stands : Awaiting appeal

March 27, 2018: Adding A Citizenship Question To The Census Is Bad Lawsuit
The census is supposed to count every resident of the U.S. every 10 years regardless of citizenship. It provides the baseline for planning decisions, federal grant and subsidy funding, and more. The Trump administration wants to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 census. Twelve states are suing because fewer people would be counted and it violates the Constitution. Washington has a large immigrant population and could face a devastating blow in federal funding and congressional representation if the census question is added, according to Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Where it stands: Pending

May 1, 2018: Another EPA Suit
Another day, another instance of the EPA actively working against its mission statement of protecting the environment. Scott Pruitt decided to do away with the new emissions standards for cars and some trucks built between 2022 and 2025. The standards basically ensured that future models would have better fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Not anymore. Bobby Ferg and company (read: 16 other states) are not having it. The lawsuit was filed yesterday on the grounds that the EPA is harming the environment and consumers.
Where it stands: Pending

June 26, 2018: Family Separation Is Evil And Probably Illegal Lawsuit
What makes it illegal? Bob Ferguson and Gov. Jay Inslee announced the lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's forced family separation policy happening at the U.S. southern border currently. Besides being morally depraved, Ferguson said that the policy ignores due process by separating parents and children with no rhyme or reason. It also violates federal asylum by turning away families seeking asylum. There are obviously other issues with the policy but that's the nitty gritty of it. Other states have joined in. The dream team: Massachusetts, California, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These states are also known as the only other states that would be okay to live in other than Washington.
Where it stands: Pending

June 27, 2018: The EPA Has Been Sued By Ferguson 10 Times
You know what they say! Tenth time's the charm! Bob Ferguson unleashed his wrath upon the EPA again today. This time for trying to reduce regulations on highly potent greenhouse gases called hydroflourocarbons, or HFCs. This violates the Clean Air Act, Ferguson said. He joined with 10 other Attorneys General in a lawsuit.
Where it stands : Pending

July 30, 2018: 3-D Printed Guns Are Not A Good Idea
Bob Ferguson led a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration for allowing anyone access to blueprints to untraceable 3-D printed firearms. The argument, which seems like common sense, is that downloadable guns make it easier for criminals to obtain weapons.
Where it stands: The court has agreed to block 3-D printed guns until the case is resolved.