Scorched Earth policy would be detrimental to his side also. But I still do not see how this meets that level of rhetoric. I am sure they could find another JP if they really wanted that license. It is all about the media coverage and the possibility of a lawsuit.
Just off the top of my head, I think if the County Clerk doesn’t issue a marriage license then you can’t get married in that county. Whether one can just go to the next county over or not I don’t know.
But, yes, it is all about the media and lawsuits and politics.