AZ Gov. Bars AG From Defending Law

In a pre-emptive defensive move, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has suspended her state’s attorney general from defending the controversial new immigration law that requires police to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect could be an illegal alien. The U.S. Justice Department is considering challenging the law, and Terry Goddard, a Democrat, happens to be Brewer’s likely opponent in the governor’s race this fall. Goddard has vocally opposed the law, and on Friday he met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Brewer explained her action in a statement citing Goddard’s “curious coordination” with federal officials opposed to the law. Brewer is tapping her own legal team.