Biden’s Lawyer Diverges due to Legal and Personal Discord
President Joe Biden’s team has parted ways with longtime Democratic Party lawyer Marc Elias due to disputes over legal strategy and strained personal relationships. Elias had represented the Democratic National Committee (DNC) since 2009 and had been involved in representing the Democrat committees for Senate, House, and state legislative races. However, Biden’s team and the DNC are now seeking legal help from other sources, leading to a division within the party’s legal operation ahead of the 2024 elections.
The split reflects a broader disagreement within the Democratic Party over how best to protect and expand voting rights. Elias believes that Democrats should use the media to garner public support and file a barrage of lawsuits, while Biden’s team, led by lawyer Bob Bauer, prefers a more selective approach to legal battles. There are concerns among Biden’s team that Elias’ approach could backfire with the conservative judiciary.
Aside from strategy disputes, Biden’s team grew increasingly frustrated with Elias during the first two years of the administration. He reportedly filed lawsuits related to voting rights and election laws in battleground states without consulting the DNC or the White House. Additionally, concerns were raised about the fees Elias charged for his services, with the DNC and Biden campaign paying his firm over $20 million for his work on the 2020 general election and post-election lawsuits.
The tension between Biden’s team and Elias is also partly attributed to the complex relationship between Elias and Bauer, who is married to senior Biden aide Anita Dunn. Despite the split, Elias maintains that his legal approach aligns with Biden’s goals. Ron Klain, Biden’s former Chief of Staff, stated that relations between Elias and Biden’s world remain good and that the DNC’s dropping of Elias was about streamlining the structure.
