Kansas litigation conflict paints AG as ‘kingly’ gatekeeper, claims governor seeks ‘coronation’

Tensions flare in scorched-earth court filings between Dem gov and MAGA attorney general

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas ReflectorDecember 31, 2025TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach filed scorched-earth briefs outlining their disagreement on who possessed authority to advance federal litigation on behalf of the state of Kansas.The ruckus headed to the Kansas Supreme Cou...

Kansas litigation conflict paints AG as 'kingly' gatekeeper, claims governor seeks 'coronation'

A dispute about the state's role in federal court litigation pits Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly against Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach. (Photos by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach filed scorched-earth briefs outlining their disagreement on who possessed authority to advance federal litigation on behalf of the state of Kansas. The ruckus headed to the Kansas Supreme Court was framed …

Kansas litigation conflict paints AG as ‘kingly’ gatekeeper, claims governor seeks ‘coronation’

Kansas dispute about state's role in federal court litigation pits Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly against Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Tensions between governor’s office, attorney general flare over death penalty opinion

A new fight between Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach and Gov. Laura Kelly's administration has erupted over a new legal opinion about the death penalty. The attorney general issued an opinion on Monday telling the governor's legal counsel that Kelly doesn't have the legal authority to refuse to  extradite individuals to jurisdictions that would be seeking the death penalty. A state has no discretion to withhold a fugitive from extradition…