Former Michigan attorneys general tell House panel office must prioritize law, public safety over politics

LANSING, Mich. — Former Michigan Attorneys General Bill Schuette and Mike Cox told a House Oversight Subcommittee on Weaponization of State Government that the attorney general's first responsibilities are public safety and enforcing the Michigan and U.S. constitutions, and warned that the office can be misused if politics drive charging and litigation decisions.

At a hearing convened by Chair Rep. Regas, the two Republicans described how the Michigan attorney general's office functions in practice, the institutional safeguards they say reduce partisan use of the office, and examples of cases that raise questions about proper priorities.

"The first responsibility of the attorney general is public safety," Bill Schuette said, adding that the office must "enforce the Michigan and United States Constitution." Mike Cox described the office as, in practice, "a house attorney for all state government," advising agencies and defending the state in civil matters while also initiating prosecutions and suits where appropriate.

Why it matters: The panel is examining whether and how the attorney general's powers can be used to pursue political opponents or policy goals rather than to protect the public and uphold the law. Lawmakers pressed the witnesses about…