Jonathan Mitchell, the Texas lawyer responsible for the six-week abortion law that permitted private citizens to claim $10,000 bounties from transgressors, has been engaged by Donald Trump in his bid to remain on the US Presidential ballot. This move comes as part of Trump’s appeal against a Colorado ruling that found him ineligible due to his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election.
In a letter to the high court, Mitchell, who has previously argued five cases before the Supreme Court, formalized his role as part of Trump’s legal team dealing with the Colorado case. The case, characterized by its potential implications on Trump’s ability to run in the forthcoming November elections, could be considered by the Supreme Court as early as this week.
Mitchell gained considerable support among conservatives after aiding in the drafting of the Texas abortion law. The law, unique for its enforcement by the public instead of the state, managed to endure Supreme Court review in 2021, despite the existing provisions of Roe v. Wade.
In response to Mitchell’s appointment, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung expressed confidence in the strength and qualifications of their legal team, celebrating their ongoing efforts to push back against what the campaign perceives as politically motivated attacks against the former president’s right to run for office.
Mitchell’s past experience includes a period as a legal adviser in the US Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel between 2003 and 2006, followed by a term as Texas’ solicitor general from 2010 to 2015. You can read more about his professional background and contributions in his biography on the website of the conservative Federalist Society.
In addition to his work on the Texas abortion law and the current Colorado case, Mitchell is also known for his challenge against a mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, often referred to as Obamacare) requiring coverage for preventive services such as cancer screenings, polio vaccinations, and medications that stave off HIV infection.
While Trump’s battle over his right to participate in the 2024 Presidential election continues, the engagement of Jonathan Mitchell to his legal team is a tangible representation of the complexities and high-stakes nature of this dispute.
For more information on this ongoing legal dispute, please visit Bloomberg Law.