Massive 6-1 Win for Montana’s AG Austin Knudsen

They violated the due process rights of the elected Attorney General of the State of Montana, and their ethics complaint against him is dismissed.

That was the big news out of the Montana Supreme Court on New Year's Eve.

This, after, a Democrat controlled panel overseen by the Montana Supreme Court attempted to interfere in the 2024 elections by pushing forward an absurd ethics complaint against Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R-MT) in the run up to the 2024 elections.

Click here for the entire 100-plus page opinion. Several Montana Supreme Court justices actually had to recuse themselves from the case, so it was instead written and supported by Chief Justice Cory Swanson and several District Court judges.

(For more background on this case, read the coverage from the Federalist by clicking here, here, and here)

Here are more reactions than began pouring in shortly after the news was released: 

 “The Montana Supreme Court made the right decision, and it’s good to see this politically-motivated complaint finally come to a just conclusion. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Attorney General Knudsen and the rest of the Montana delegation to secure a safer and more prosperous future for all Montanans.” – US Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT)

“It is reassuring to see the Supreme Court deliver justice in this political motive case. I look forward to working with Attorney General Knudsen to build a safer, stronger future for Montana.” State Senator Greg Hertz (R-Polson)

“I’m grateful the Montana Supreme Court has ended this politically motivated prosecution. Together with Attorney General Knudsen, I look forward to advancing policies that will promote the safety and prosperity of Montana” State Senator Wylie Galt (R-Martinsdale)

“I appreciate the Montana Supreme Court bringing this political prosecution to its rightful conclusion.”  State Senator Barry Usher (R-Billings)

“Today’s decision by the Montana supreme court dismissing the complaints against Attorney General Austin Knudsen confirms what many Montanans have known from the beginning: this case was politically motive and never about the law. Attorney General Knudsen acted within his constitutional authority and in defense of the separation of powers. Attempts to punish an elected official for standing up to judicial overreach undermine our system of government and the will of the people. House Republicans stand firmly with Attorney General Knudsen and appreciate the Court’s careful review and ultimate dismissal of these complaints.” Montana Speaker of the House Brandon Ler (R-Savage)

"The Supreme Court's vindication of Attorney General Austin Knudsen is the right decision. The process itself was weaponized as political retaliation for the AG doing his job representing the Legislature, and I'm glad to see the Court put an end to it. We must draw a bright line for the public between true ethical violations in government and manufactured controversies like the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and Commission on Practice's shameful political persecution of Austin Knudsen." - State Senate President Matt Regier (R-Kalispell)