Aaron Ford’s actions as Nevada AG: Public good or political ambition?
An analysis of Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s 2025 office press releases reveals an agenda centered on social justice and steadfast opposition to Trump administration policies, resonating with some Nevada voters, but potentially at odds with the state’s diverse and evolving electorate. For instance, the Attorney General’s office under Ford secured a landmark $720 million opioid settlement, demonstrating its commitment to tackling critical statewide issues. Yet, Ford’s advocacy for far-left causes, such as sanctuary policies, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and frequent legal challenges against federal actions, coupled with his announced 2026 gubernatorial candidacy, has sparked debate about whether his focus fully reflects the will of all Nevadans.
Ford’s AG office has been notably aggressive in countering federal-government policies including tariffs, dismantling the Department of Education, defunding certain government programs, targeting federal employee firings, restricting birthright citizenship, limiting DOGE’s data access, and deploying the California National Guard for ICE perimeter security and crowd control in Los Angeles, while also urging Congress to address masked federal agents in immigration enforcement and supporting parole for over 500,000 immigrants with temporary legal status.
Beyond White House opposition, Ford has directed the AG’s Office to support progressive policies, including advocating for gender-affirming care for transgender youth, promoting sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring initiatives in workplaces.
Meanwhile, Ford’s AG office has prioritized consumer protection efforts, such as cracking down on fraud and deceptive over-the-counter hearing aids, aligning with its traditional responsibilities. However, Ford’s broader progressive agenda and frequent lawsuits against the Trump administration have drawn criticism for potentially alienating Nevada’s increasingly nonpartisan electorate.
As of the latest figures, Nevada’s 2.2 million active registered voters, 35% are nonpartisan, 28% are Democrats, 28% are Republicans, and 9% belong to other minor parties. Nevada’s political landscape has shown signs of a rightward shift in recent elections. In 2024, Republican Donald Trump won the state’s presidential vote by a 3.1% margin over Democrat Kamala Harris, marking the first Republican presidential victory in Nevada since 2004. In 2022, Republican Joe Lombardo, endorsed by Trump, defeated Democrat incumbent Steve Sisolak in the gubernatorial race.
The Nevada Attorney General, though elected as a partisan, is expected to serve impartially, prioritizing the state’s interests over politics, but there’s no legal mandate for nonpartisanship.
Critics argue that Ford’s leadership of the AG’s Office reflects a partisan agenda, driven by personal politics and influence from progressive-group donors, alienating Nevada’s growing nonpartisan voters. Although some support his commitment to opposing Trump administration policies, many view his use of the AG’s Office for aggressive legal challenges as politically motivated and self-serving, raising doubts about his ability to effectively represent Nevada’s increasingly diverse electorate.
What do you think? View the complete list of press releases detailing Ford's initiatives through the Nevada Attorney General’s Office here. Comment your thoughts HERE.
Sources:
News reports @ The Nevada Independent, FOX5 Vegas, KCRG, WGEM, and the Nevada Business Magazine
