11 republican attorneys general halt probe of Exxon

11 Republic state attorneys general are declaring a probe of Exxon as "unconstitutional" and a violation of the company's first amendment rights. The prosecutors filed a brief to support Exxon and halt the probe, which would be conducted by New York and Massachusetts attorneys general Eric Schneiderman and Maura Healey, respectively. Schneiderman and Healey, both Democrats, were concerned about Exxon breaking consumer protection law by selling fossil fuel and not disclosing its harmful effects to the global climate. The Republican prosecutors cited a brief in the conservative magazine, National Review, to support their argument that the probe violates the first amendment. "scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind." And Exxon spokesperson, Scott Silvestri, stated "an attempt to silence political opponents who disagree on the appropriate policies to address climate change."