Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined forces with 19 other states to support the Trump administration in its efforts to combat federal waste, fraud, and abuse. This coalition is defending against lawsuits they describe as politically motivated attempts to prevent President Trump's team from accessing necessary federal databases.

Attorney General Wilson emphasized that the Biden administration had previously estimated federal government waste, fraud, and abuse to be between $233 billion and $521 billion. "It was the Biden administration that estimated there’s between $233 billion and $521 billion in federal government waste, fraud, and abuse, and President Trump is combatting that and saving taxpayers’ money," he stated. He further argued that such efforts should transcend political divisions but criticized opponents for filing lawsuits aimed at undermining the president's authority over the executive branch.

The states involved argue that Article II of the Constitution grants President Trump the power to direct executive branch agencies. They are urging the court to allow his administration to continue its initiatives aimed at eliminating federal inefficiencies.

In addition to supporting these national efforts, Attorney General Wilson is backing state-level Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives targeting similar issues within South Carolina.

This collective action includes participation from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah—and led by Iowa.