For Immediate Release:
June 12, 2025
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement following the filing of a 19-state amicus brief supporting President Trump’s lawful deployment of the National Guard in response to the violent agitators rioting in the streets of Los Angeles, California. Rioters opposing the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws overwhelmed local authorities and endangered federal law enforcement and property.
“We are unwavering defenders of the constitutional right to peaceful protest, a cornerstone of American democracy. But let us be clear: arson, assault, and anarchy are not protected forms of expression; they are violent crimes. In a moment when California’s leadership bowed to violent open border activists, and ordered law enforcement to stand down, President Trump acted decisively and constitutionally by deploying the National Guard to restore order and protect lives,” stated Attorney General Marshall. “While others surrendered to chaos and foreign agitators, he stood up for safety, stability, and the rule of law. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave men and women of law enforcement, who hold the line between civilization and disorder. Thank you, President Trump, for refusing to let lawlessness prevail and for backing those who protect our communities every day.”
The brief argues that President Trump acted squarely within his constitutional and statutory authority under Title 10 of the United States Code when he called National Guard troops into federal service to protect federal agents, property, and the rule of law, particularly when state and local officials in California allegedly failed to act while rioters overran portions of Los Angeles and obstructed federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The amicus brief recounts days of escalating chaos in Los Angeles, where federal immigration officers faced violent attacks, ICE buildings were surrounded and defaced, cars were set ablaze, and LAPD officers pleaded for assistance. Despite the lawlessness, California officials sought to block federal action through an emergency lawsuit. The brief forcefully opposes California’s motion, calling it a political maneuver that undermines public safety and the Constitution.
Alabama joined the brief with Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, the Territory of Guam, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
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