FOLEY — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall addressed the South Baldwin Republican Women Tuesday for its March meeting.
Marshall spoke about the opioid crisis, illegal immigration, transgender issues impacting minors and efforts his office is making to support Donald Trump during his politically-motivated legal battles.
“I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how remarkably blessed I am for the last seven-plus years you've allowed me to be able to serve as your Attorney General,” Marshall said. “This means I get to be your voice, and in many respects, I can be the person fighting on your behalf.”
Opioid Crisis and the Border
The opioid crisis has been a professional and personal fight for Marshall. He announced the state had recovered over $850 million in funds from litigation for those responsible.
“And y'all, that's strong,” he emphasized. “And it's tangible. Because it is being directed to try to help save the lives of the people that are suffering. You know, in some ways, this is a little bit of a tangent. It's why we talk about the border so much, too.”
The AG said the border crisis has led to a humanitarian crisis due to the volume of fentanyl crossing the border into the United States. He said cartels infusing drugs into communities is not talked about, but that is what he believes is fueling addiction nationwide. That’s why he says it’s important for him to take the issue upon himself in court and to recruit other states to follow suit.
In one case, he turned a $120 million settlement to be disbursed over 18 years into a $141 million settlement to be disbursed over nine years. That is just one example of how Marshall said he is fighting the crisis and getting Alabama the help it needs to fight it.
“Sometimes you've got to stand on principle, and sometimes, you've got be willing to fight, and I think it's important to show others that you're willing to do so to get them to the point that they are taking care of our state and our people,” Marshall said. “And what I'm most excited about, and this is where the people in this room have an influence, is of that money over $800-something million dollars that's come in, basically half of it is coming to cities and counties, and they have the ability to attack that problem at a local level.”
Transgender Issues
Marshall said he is also pushing back against federal dollars coming with strings attached for only those who will support gender-affirming language and care for minors.
“I never thought I would be having to litigate who's a boy and who is a girl,” Marshall added. “… Well, apparently, gender is now fungible for those on the left, and we find in a variety of ways that we are having to deal with that and push back against a radical gender ideology that is coming out of D.C.”
An example, Marshall said, is the Department of Agriculture’s lunch program in which recipients are required to use the term “gender” instead of “sex.”
“Within the definition of gender, it is not how God creates you,” he explained. “But instead, it is that gender for which you identify and say, ‘If you don't acknowledge that change, then we're potentially going to withhold that money,’ and we all, we are fighting that.”
Marshall said Alabama will not allow boys to play in girls’ sports and girls to play in boys’ sports, adding that boys should not be allowed to walk into girls’ locker rooms.
Support for Trump
As for Trump, Marshall said there has been a coordination against the former president, which has resulted in multiple prosecutions.
“They want to drain his bank account; they tried to damage his credibility so he loses the election,” Marshall stated. “They don't have a good candidate, they don't have good policies, and they don't have successes they can show. This is the only way they can win.”
Marshall voiced support for Trump.
“I've had the privilege last year of being the chair of the Republican AGs Association to kind of help coordinate my colleagues,” he added. “This is one where we had strong participation from multiple states, all standing strong to be able to say he's entitled to a fair hearing, he is entitled his day in court, and allow him to be treated no different than anybody else, but also give him the right to litigate that defense that he has.”
After speaking, Marshall took questions from the crowd. One question addressed squatters' rights in Alabama, which he said the state is in a good place to protect property owners.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
