This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
On Wednesday, New York state Justice Joel Cohen ruled that New York Attorney General Letitia James cannot dissolve the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The news comes after a Manhattan judge indicated last Friday he would not side with the NRA’s countersuit against James.
The New York Post reported:
The NRA filed counterclaims alleging that even while James was on the campaign trail, she made comments about going after the group, showing that she had “predetermined” to sue it simply because she disagreed with its political stances.
During a video hearing Friday, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joel Cohen said, “The attorney general’s job is to decide what cases to bring and try to persuade a jury or a court.”
He added to the NRA’s lawyers, “The claims you’re bringing here really do ask me to cross over and meddle with and look into the mind of law enforcement.”
The judge said he can’t “undo [James’] prosecutorial decisions” and noted that it’s normal for those in public office to lay out their agendas when they run.
The New York AG may be unable to dissolve the NRA but she is still free to pursue cases against the organization and several of its members.