Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has proven to be less of a watchdog for Maryland citizens and more of a partisan attack dog for the Democratic Party. His tenure has been riddled with missteps, questionable priorities, and ethical shadows—all at the expense of taxpayers who expect their top law enforcement officer to uphold the law, not play politics.
1. The RealPage Lawsuit: Politics Masquerading as Policy
Brown’s January 2025 lawsuit against RealPage, a rent-pricing software company, was billed as a bold stand against “price-fixing.” But housing experts and economists quickly called it what it is: a flimsy case with little evidence and a big political payoff. Demonizing landlords might score points with activists, but targeting data tools that help manage property risks destabilizing the housing market at a time when affordability is already fragile. The move reeks more of grandstanding than serious consumer protection.
2. Gutting Transparency Through MPIA “Reform”
Perhaps the most troubling episode has been Brown’s push to weaken the Maryland Public Information Act. His proposal to let the state sue individuals or organizations who “misuse” public records is a direct threat to transparency. Watchdogs, journalists, and even some Democrats slammed it as a chilling attack on open government. At a time when Maryland faces a historic budget deficit, Brown is working to silence the very people who might expose waste, fraud, and abuse. That isn’t reform—it’s cover-up by legislation.
3. A Trump Lawsuit Factory Funded by Maryland Taxpayers
Within his first 100 days of Trump’s second term, Brown joined or led more than two dozen lawsuits against the administration. He even built a specialized “litigation team” to fight Trump policies, essentially turning the AG’s office into a partisan law firm. While Brown insists this is “protecting Marylanders,” it looks a lot like taxpayer-funded resistance theater. With Maryland struggling to balance its budget, Brown’s obsession with suing Trump raises real questions: Who exactly is he working for—Maryland residents or the DNC?
4. Ethics Clouds and Campaign Finance Smoke
The American Accountability Foundation’s January 2025 complaint struck at the heart of Brown’s credibility. Allegations that one of his employees sought fundraising contacts from a government alliance—possibly violating campaign finance and ethics rules—may not yet be proven, but the optics are damning. The fundraiser itself fizzled in a snowstorm, but the scandal reinforces a pattern: Brown plays fast and loose with the lines between public duty and political ambition.
5. The Digital Ad Tax Debacle
Brown’s defense of Maryland’s first-in-the-nation digital advertising tax went down in flames when a federal appeals court struck key provisions as unconstitutional. By trying to gag companies from explaining cost hikes to consumers, Brown effectively shielded politicians from accountability—an assault on both free markets and free speech. Rather than protecting Marylanders, his legal strategy ended in embarrassment for the state and a win for censorship.
6. Sanctuary Politics Over Public Safety
Brown’s declaration that Maryland will not cooperate with ICE is yet another example of ideology over responsibility. Critics point out that this policy shields undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement while putting law-abiding Marylanders at risk. The Attorney General’s first job should be to uphold the law, not selectively ignore it for partisan talking points.
7. Energy Finger-Pointing While Bills Climb
As Marylanders face higher gas and electric bills, Brown has chosen political potshots over policy solutions. His claim that the Trump administration “distorted facts” during an energy emergency may score headlines, but it does nothing to address rising costs or ensure energy stability for families already stretched thin. Maryland doesn’t need rhetoric—it needs leadership.
Conclusion: Maryland Deserves Better
Anthony Brown’s record as Attorney General reflects a troubling pattern: politics before people, power before principle. From undermining transparency, to waging partisan legal wars, to fumbling on energy and ethics, Brown has consistently chosen the Democratic playbook over Maryland’s best interests.
If the role of Attorney General is to serve as the people’s lawyer, then Brown has failed. Instead, he has used the office as a taxpayer-funded platform for partisan crusades and political advancement. Marylanders deserve an Attorney General focused on justice, transparency, and public safety—not one auditioning for his next role in the Democratic machine.
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