The Southern Poverty Law Center is asking for an investigation into the role a group led by Alabama AG, Steve Marshall, played in organizing a rally at the American Capitol that turned violent, resulting in five deaths. and took over the American Capitol through a pro-Trump. mob.
Marshall said earlier this week that he had conducted an internal review after reports that the policy branch of the Republican Attorney General’s branch – a branch led by Marshall – had played a role in organizing and promoting the protests around the US Capitol building. . Marshall said decisions were made within the group without his authorization, but did not elaborate further.
The SPLC action fund issued a news release on Saturday saying the Alabama Ethics Commission and the Alabama Bar should investigate the matter, not Marshall and the RAGA.
“Attorney General Marshall’s report on his involvement in Wednesday’s uprising is not credible,” SPLC Action Fund CEO and President Margaret Huang said in a news release.
“He asks the public to believe that he was completely unaware of his staff’s work to organize the protest and insurgency efforts spurred on by the disgraceful President Trump. He appears to be lying to his constituents – the Alabama people – and the American public about the outcome of the 2020 election and his role in the failed yet deadly coup. ”
Before the violence, the RAGA policy branch, called the Rule of Law Defense Fund, issued a robbery call urging people to ‘call for the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the robbery’, according to the documented story, which has a recording. of the call.
The Alabama Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but earlier issued a statement saying RAGA policy staff had made unauthorized decisions without specifying what the decisions were.
“I was not aware of any unauthorized decisions taken by RLDF staff regarding this week’s protest,” Marshall said. “Despite the fact that I am currently moving into my role as the newly elected chairman of RLDF, it is unacceptable that I have not been consulted or informed about these decisions.
‘I did an internal review on this matter. As I said yesterday, I strongly condemn the actions of those who tried to storm the American Capitol, a place where passionate but peaceful protesters gathered and debates lawmakers inside. Our country is built on the foundation of the rule of law. American democracy guarantees the right to peaceful protest. Those who have chosen to engage in violence and anarchy must and will be held accountable under the law. ”
Huang and the SPLC said it was inadequate.
“Any involvement by Marshall or his organization in the desecration of the American Capitol on Wednesday deserves thorough investigation – but not by the people who promoted Trump’s effort to stop the democratic transition. “Despite Trump’s demotion, he can and should expect the highest level of honor and ethics from our elected officials,” Huang said. As a lawyer and member of the Alabama Bar, Marshall has sworn an oath to uphold and respect the law. Both the Alabama Ethics Commission and the Alabama Bar Association must conduct independent reviews of Marshall’s knowledge of and participation in Wednesday’s uprising and, if necessary, impose appropriate penalties.
“We can not begin to rebuild our democratic systems without fully discussing how the uprising took place and the consequences for all those directly involved. Marshall and any other Alabama officials involved in the incident should be held accountable. ”