The entire Missouri Attorney General’s Office has recused itself from the Supreme Court case involving Columbia’s Trinity Lutheran Church, which is set to begin oral arguments tomorrow.
The Columbia Missourian reports that Missouri Governor Eric Greitens changed state policy last week to allow religious organizations to receive grant money from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Since it will be part of the Attorney General Office’s job to defend this new policy, former Missouri Solicitor General Jim Layton will be representing the DNR instead.
Some groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri say last week’s policy change puts both the state and the church on the same side of the issue, making the arguments a moot point. But both the state and the church are urging that the case should continue.
