Attorney General McCuskey Leads Multistate Coalition Defending Children and Religious Freedom

Charleston, West Virginia; December 18th, 2025

West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey is leading a multistate coalition aimed at defending the rights of children and protecting religious freedom, according to an official announcement released by the OFFICE OF THE WEST VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL.

The announcement states that Attorney General McCuskey, alongside attorneys general from other states, has taken coordinated legal action to address federal policies that the coalition argues conflict with parental authority, child welfare protections, and constitutionally protected religious freedoms. The effort reflects a broader push by state legal officers to assert state interests in matters involving family rights and religious expression.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the coalition’s action centers on concerns that certain federal interpretations and enforcement practices exceed statutory authority and impose requirements that affect schools, families, and faith-based organizations. The filing asserts that states have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of children and to ensure that laws respecting religious belief and practice are enforced consistent with the Constitution.

Attorney General McCuskey, in statements released by his office, emphasized that the coalition’s position is rooted in longstanding legal principles recognizing the role of parents in guiding the upbringing of their children and the right of individuals and institutions to exercise religious beliefs without undue government interference. The Office stated that these principles have been repeatedly affirmed by courts and are foundational to both state and federal law.

The coalition’s action does not seek to eliminate federal authority, according to the release, but rather to ensure that federal agencies operate within their lawful bounds and respect the balance of powers between state and federal governments. The Attorney General’s Office framed the effort as part of its broader mission to defend West Virginia’s laws and values through the judicial process.

The announcement further notes that multistate coalitions allow attorneys general to pool legal resources and present unified arguments on issues of national significance. By leading the effort, McCuskey positions West Virginia at the forefront of the legal challenge, coordinating strategy and representation on behalf of participating states.

As the matter proceeds, the Attorney General’s Office stated that it will continue to advocate for policies it believes protect children, respect parental rights, and preserve religious liberty, while allowing the courts to determine the appropriate legal outcome.

The Appalachian Post is an independent West Virginia news outlet dedicated to clean, verified, first-hand reporting. We do not publish rumors. We do not run speculation. Every fact we present must be supported by original documentation, official statements, or direct evidence. When secondary sources are used, we clearly identify them and never treat them as first-hand confirmation. We avoid loaded language, emotional framing, or accusatory wording, and we do not attack individuals, organizations, or other news outlets. Our role is to report only what can be verified through first-hand sources and allow readers to form their own interpretations. If we cannot confirm a claim using original evidence, we state clearly that we reviewed first-hand sources and could not find documentation confirming it. Our commitment is simple: honest reporting, transparent sourcing, and zero speculation.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• OFFICE OF THE WEST VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN B. MCCUSKEY — Official announcement regarding the multistate coalition defending children and religious freedom