On Thursday, March 06, 2025, 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.