Harris County officials have voted to allow County Attorney Christian Menefee to file lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s (R) executive orders without requiring approval from the Commissioners Court.
The decision, which passed in a 3-1 vote, gives Attorney Menefee a six-month window to challenge federal orders that could impact the county. This includes President Trump’s recent executive order seeking to remove birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
The motion faced opposition from Commissioner Tom Ramsey (R), the sole GOP member on the court, who voted against the measure.
“Request for approval of an order authorizing the County Attorney, for a period of six months, to file litigation against the federal government and its officers challenging the Executive Orders issued by President Donald J. Trump and any associated rules or regulations that may impact Harris County," the motion reads.
Responding to the vote, Joseph L. Trahan (R), a former candidate for Texas Senate District 15, took to social media to criticize the decision and the county’s leadership. “Harris County Texas (Houston) is the most corrupt, in your face, blatant, well-oiled, money laundering, taxpayer rip-off, election-rigging, municipal government mafia,” he wrote on X.
Harris County Texas (Houston) is the most corrupt, in your face, blatant, well oiled, money laundering, tax payer rip off, election rigging, municipal government mafia going
and
Texas Governor @GregAbbott_TX knows it, does nothing about it, remains silent about it and refuses… https://t.co/IKqPr2mUkV
— Joseph L Trahan for Senate District 15 (@JosephLTrahan) February 10, 2025
Trahan also called out Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), accusing him of remain silent and not acting during the ordeal.
“Texas Governor [Greg Abbott] knows it, does nothing about it, remains silent about it and refuses to use the powers afforded the Texas Governor in our constitution to activate the ‘Special Unit’ of the Texas Rangers to investigate abuse of the powers of office by elected and/or appointed officials,” Trahan wrote on X.
Attorney Menefee, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, reaffirmed his stance on birthright citizenship earlier this month, sharing a video on X where he argued that “If you are born on U.S. soil, you are a U.S. citizen. Full stop.”
Birthright citizenship is not up for debate.
This cruel attack will hurt kids and create Constitutional chaos.
We won’t let it stand — my office is fighting back. pic.twitter.com/kTAx6rAbrA
— Christian D. Menefee (@CDMenefee) February 4, 2025
