AG Chin Politicizing Office and ignoring his real job.

News Release from Rep Bob McDermott, July 20, 2017

Attorney General Doug Chin, who heretofore has been a shining example of dedicated citizen public servant, has recently become a hyper-partisan, publicity-seeking, grandstander. Having experienced the warm glow of liberal adulation and the bright spotlight of national media, Mr. Chin now seems exclusively focused on regaining that attention on a weekly basis. He should be concentrating on real problems here in Hawaii.

Chin, with Governor Ige’s blessing, has engaged in an inexplicable crusade to affirm the imaginary rights of non-citizens of failed nation states, ones that have no vetting or security to speak of, to freely travel to the United States. This is flawed on so many levels I do not know where to begin. Are we supposed to believe that countries like Yemen, known hotbeds of terrorism, are suddenly a "compelling state interest,” galvanizing the Attorney General into action? Perhaps it is the huge influx of visitors (maybe seven) we receive each year from Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia the AG is trying to protect. Other than pure politics, this makes no sense.

The AG believes these folks have the right to immigrate to or visit the US. I am confused as to who gave them these rights? I contrast Chin’s thinking on international matters with how he handles things here at home.

Chin, with Gov. Ige’s blessing, has engaged in inexplicable crusade to affirm the imaginary rights of citizens from failed nation states that have no vetting or security to speak of, from freely travel to the United States. This is flawed on so many levels; I do not know where to begin. Countries like Yemen, known hot beds of terrorism, are suddenly a “compelling state interest,” galvanizing the Attorney General into action. Perhaps it is the huge influx of visitors (approx. seven people) Waikiki receives each year from Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia the AG is trying to protect. Other than pure politics, this makes no sense.

I am suing the State on behalf of the students and families of Campbell HS due to the widely reported overcrowding and lack of appropriate State action to remedy this in a timely manner. About 3200 students are currently enrolled at Campbell (It was built to accommodate 1400). It is the largest school in the state of Hawaii and grossly over crowded; the average HI high school enrollment is 1023 students. The total enrollment is projected to reach 3,545 students in the next 18 months. I sued the state seeking relief for these young children who suffer in antiquated, hot, dusty, overcrowded classrooms that are consistently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

In his response to my lawsuit, the AG said, that Campbell students have 'no right to an education;' Chin believes that a quality public education is not a right. He says this at the same time he is shamelessly showboating to the left and fighting for the fictional rights of non-citizens

Gov. Ige said through Chin,.."There is nothing in the federal or Hawaii Constitutions that creates any right for students to demand these things." I hope the Attorney General can show me the section U.S. Constitution where he finds rights for the Sudanese and other non-citizens. The Campbell kids have clearly stated rights in our Hawaii State Constitution in Article X, Education, Section 1, states in relevant part, “The State shall provide for the establishment, support and control of a statewide system of public schools free from sectarian control…including physical facilities therefor….”

Attorney General Chin, do your real job and stop grandstanding for the media.

---30---

Rep. Bob McDermott is the father of children who attend Campbell HS and is the presumptive Republican candidate for Governor in 2018.