These tribes painted a vivid, haunting portrait: “A successful challenge would not merely dent our finances but would unleash a financial tempest, wreaking havoc on our education, healthcare, and public safety budgets.”
The Judicial Verdict and Maverick’s Counter
The winds first began to stir when U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo deemed that the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, an intervenor in Maverick’s case, was pivotal to the litigation. Yet, due to the tribe’s sovereign cloak, it couldn’t be tied to the lawsuit. This led to the case’s dismissal under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
But Maverick wasn’t ready to fold. They took their grievances to the Ninth Circuit, arguing Judge Estudillo’s ruling was akin to a tree falling against the prevailing wind, contradictory to numerous precedents.
Strong Counter from the Tribes
The tribes, channeling centuries of resilience, countered in their briefs. Their message was clear: the Ninth Circuit’s precedence unequivocally calls for Maverick’s challenge to be dismissed. Further, the federal government, they stated, couldn’t adequately defend the tribes’ interests.
