Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading a coalition of 24 states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief to support President Trump’s authority under the Alien Enemies Act. The action follows recent steps taken by the President to address the presence of Tren de Aragua, a foreign gang operating within the United States.
“A few days ago, President Trump took decisive action in removing a narcotrafficking communist leader in Venezuela,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Nicolas Maduro worked hand in hand with criminal networks to poison our communities. The President has the authority to act in the best interest of our national security.”
Wilson also commented on the impact of gang violence across states: “The violence that gangs like Tren De Aragua have unleashed on our communities has to be stopped. Every state bears the consequences of years of inaction. I am grateful to President Trump for working daily to protect American citizens.”
Recent law enforcement actions have targeted individuals linked to these organizations. Earlier this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested several “high-level cartel members” associated with both Tren De Aragua and Los Zetas at a nightclub in South Carolina, which authorities described as a hub for weapons, narcotics, and human trafficking. In February, ICE officials detained multiple members of TdA during an operation in Charleston.
“Our state’s law enforcement officers are on the frontline daily to protect South Carolinians,” Wilson stated. “But we need to ensure that the President and federal authorities can step in and provide vital assistance to protect us from transnational terrorist organizations.”
The South Carolina Attorney General’s office acts as the chief prosecutor and legal counsel for the state, handling criminal matters and collaborating with law enforcement agencies statewide according to its official website. The office also provides victim support services and educational resources related to public safety.
Previously, Attorney General Wilson co-led a coalition of 27 attorneys general defending presidential constitutional authority. States joining this latest brief include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The full text of the brief is available online.
