OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., (The Oklahoma Post) –
Governor Kevin Stitt didn’t hold back in his criticism of Attorney General Gentner Drummond following a federal court ruling that reaffirmed the governor’s authority to appoint legal counsel. The ruling, which arose from a legal battle over representation for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and several under the media radar civil cases, underscores a broader conflict over Drummond’s attempts to control state legal affairs.
“Here’s the deal, we have people in Oklahoma running for their next office instead of focusing on the position they already have. It’s exactly why Oklahomans hate politicians,” Stitt stated, pointing directly at Drummond’s alleged misuse of power. The attorney general has been accused of leveraging his position to enrich political allies, such as Collins Zorn & Wagner, while obstructing justice and due process for average citizens.
The recent federal court ruling reaffirming Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s authority to appoint legal counsel has significant implications for Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s controversial legal maneuvers. The ruling, tied to a dispute over legal representation in a mental health services case, highlights a broader pattern in which Drummond has allegedly weaponized his office to benefit political allies.
The court’s order, referencing Cherokee Nation v. United States Department of the Interior, underscores that the governor holds supreme executive power to hire legal counsel independently, even when the attorney general attempts to intervene. This directly counters Drummond’s long-standing practice of appointing outside firms, such as Oklahoma City-based Collins Zorn & Wagner, in cases where his political interests align. Critics argue that this unchecked authority has allowed Drummond to enrich his associates while using the legal system to silence and punish individuals who challenge his office. The ruling serves as a crucial check on Drummond’s overreach, affirming that state agencies have the right to legal representation that aligns with their interests rather than being dictated by the attorney general’s personal and political agenda. As calls for accountability grow, many Oklahomans are now questioning whether Drummond’s actions have led to violations of due process and obstruction of justice in numerous cases across the state.
See the order and the Governor’s press release below:
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Court Upholds Governor’s Authority to Appoint Counsel
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Today, Governor Stitt applauded the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma’s decision to confirm the Governor’s authority to appoint counsel for the State’s executive agencies.
“The attorney general should act in the best interest of the state, not of special interests and campaign donors,” said Governor Stitt. “In case after case, he has abused his position to seize control of litigation then concede the state’s position. Now, this is settled law. The Governor has the authority to appoint counsel for agencies, not the attorney general.”
The Oklahoma Supreme Court previously decided that “the Attorney General’s statutory authority to take and assume control of the State’s defense is subordinate to the Governor’s constitutionally-granted Supreme Executive power, and statutorily-granted authority which gives him the right to represent the state and choose his counsel in defense of the action.”
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma echoed that decision and denied the Attorney General’s request to prevent the Governor’s appointed counsel from appearing on behalf of Commissioner Friesen in Briggs v. Friesen.
The full order can be read here.
*End of Press Release
(Writing by Lee Brooks; Editing by Robbie Robertson)
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