‘Manufactured political drama’: Oklahoma AG smacks down state schools chief's Trump inquiry

03 March

State Superintendent Ryan Walters asked for a legal opinion from the attorney general over the impact of a presidential executive order.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Calling the inquiry a “manufactured political drama,” Oklahoma’s attorney general declined state Superintendent Ryan Walters’ request for a legal opinion over whether a presidential order blocks federal education funds from benefiting undocumented students.

Walters had asked the attorney general whether any Oklahoma school programs are affected by President Donald Trump’s Feb. 19 executive order blocking taxpayer-funded benefits from supporting undocumented immigrants. He also asked how his administration at the Oklahoma State Department of Education should comply with Trump’s order if any school programs are affected.

Gov. Kevin Stitt similarly has accused Walters of causing “political drama.” Although Attorney General Gentner Drummond borrowed the governor’s phrasing, he also took aim at Stitt in his response letter to Walters.

“I am very thankful for President Trump’s leadership on this critical issue, and I am very disappointed in Governor Stitt’s failures that have cost Oklahoma taxpayers billions and put our families at risk,” Drummond wrote. “(The executive order) should be a model for Oklahoma and every state to ensure their services are delivered only to those legally eligible to receive them.”

Drummond criticized the governor’s support for resettling 1,800 Afghan refugees, whom the attorney general accused of being poorly vetted, in the state and Stitt’s collaboration with the government of Mexico to establish a Mexican consulate in Oklahoma City, which Drummond said serves undocumented immigrants as well as lawful residents.

He accused Stitt of taking “no substantive action to address illegal immigration here in Oklahoma.” He called Stitt’s Operation Guardian initiative, which aims to deport undocumented immigrants in state prisons, an attempt to “save face.”

The governor has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s immigration policies.

“Sadly, once again, we are just getting noise from people campaigning for their next political promotion,” Stitt said in a statement through his communications office. “Being governor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect both Oklahomans and the innocent children in our communities.”

Stitt will be term-limited in 2026 after eight years in office, and Drummond is running to succeed him as governor. Walters hasn’t announced a political campaign for reelection nor for another office, but many consider him a potential candidate in a 2026 race.

The round of comments on Monday deepened the ongoing conflict between Oklahoma’s Republican governor, attorney general and public schools leader.

Drummond declined Walters’ request for an opinion on the impact of Trump’s order because a state attorney general has no jurisdiction to interpret federal law, according to his response letter.

Walters said he is “disappointed but not surprised” at Drummond’s response.

“He has a responsibility to offer opinions on all laws, not just the ones he deems worthy,” Walters said in a statement through a spokesperson. “Once again, he is refusing to support President Trump’s executive order on illegal immigration at a time when we all need to move forward with a unified front to protect Oklahoma families.”

Attorney general opinions interpret state law and sometimes are legally binding. An interpretation of a presidential order is “for the federal executive branch to determine,” Drummond wrote.

“Notwithstanding your rumored aspirations, you are not part of the federal executive branch,” he wrote, hinting at allegations that Walters sought a position in the Trump administration.

Drummond said Trump’s order could direct the actions of the federal Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provide hundreds of millions of dollars supporting various school services in Oklahoma, including cafeteria lunches, English learner programs and support for impoverished students.

He encouraged Walters to cooperate with federal agencies to “faithfully implement” the executive order.

“In the meantime, I suggest you devote increased energy and focus on improving the test scores and reading proficiency of Oklahoma students,” Drummond wrote. “The people of this state entrusted you with the critical responsibility of administering and managing public education. Fulfilling that responsibility should be your only focus.”

Walters has supported Trump’s executive actions and advanced his own policy to “no longer allow sanctuary schools in the state of Oklahoma.” He proposed a new rule at the state Education Department to require schools to collect students’ immigration status and report the information to the state.

“Taxpayer dollars should be used to support the education of American students, not to subsidize or create a magnet for illegal immigration,” Walters said.

States are required to provide public education to children regardless of their immigration status under a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Many Oklahomans have advocated against the rule, which is now before the state Legislature for consideration, and warned it could drive immigrant students away from public education.

Stitt pledged to block the rule from being enacted and accused Walters of using “kids as political pawns” to launch a campaign for higher office.

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Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com.

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