Conflict Between Montana AG, Gallatin County Attorney Reaches the Supreme Court
Austin Knudsen says Gallatin County must share confidential criminal justice records with ICE for civil immigration enforcement, and Cromwell has asked the Montana Supreme Court to intervene.
- On May 1, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell petitioned the Montana Supreme Court to resolve a dispute with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen over whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can access confidential criminal justice information without a court order.
- Attorney General Knudsen invoked supervisory control over Cromwell's office on April 30 after alleging she failed to clarify that Gallatin County may share confidential criminal justice information with ICE for civil immigration enforcement.
- Knudsen further escalated Monday by ordering Cromwell to dismiss the lawsuit and terminate her representation agreement with the Graybill Law Firm, citing his supervisory authority under state law.
- Rejecting what she called "theatrical directives," Cromwell stated "I am not interested in speculation or directives delivered through the media. I am interested in the law" and vowed to retain independent counsel pending the Supreme Court's decision.
- The case centers on whether criminal justice information protected by the Montana Constitution can be released for civil immigration enforcement; a ruling would establish a clear legal standard for agencies statewide.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
AG orders Cromwell: End Supreme Court case, cancel counsel
Asserting supervisory control on Monday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen ordered Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell to withdraw her Montana Supreme Court filing from Friday and cancel her legal representation. For Cromwell, Montana’s constitutional right to privacy is the crux of her dispute. For Knudsen, if his order stands the issue ends here — on his terms. Cromwell’s petition for declaratory relief from her legal counsel, attor…
Newsbug.info
Bozeman ICE records fight heads to Montana Supreme Court
Bozeman, Mont. — Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell is asking the Montana Supreme Court to step into a dispute over whether ICE can get confidential information without going through Montana’s legal process, according to a May 1, 2026, press release.
Montana AG orders county attorney to drop lawsuit against him
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is ordering Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell to drop a lawsuit against him.Knudsen sent a letter to Cromwell Monday, invoking his supervisory authority and directing her to dismiss the case.The lawsuit was filed three days ago.Knudsen is also directing Cromwell to terminate her outside legal counsel at the Graybill Law Firm.In a letter responding to the Attorney General, Cromwells attorney, Raph Gr…
Montana AG uses supervisory authority in feud with Gallatin County offcial over ICE
After failing to muscle the Gallatin County Attorney's Office into obedience, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Thursday invoked his supervisory powers to advance his ongoing feud over federal immigration off cers' access to criminal information.
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