Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has taken a significant role in a legal effort involving the Supreme Court. Wilson is co-leading 27 attorneys general in defense of measures undertaken by the Trump administration aimed at the deportation of members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which has been identified as a foreign terrorist organization. The legal representatives are urging the Supreme Court to set aside a district court’s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that currently blocks President Trump's initiatives.

Attorney General Wilson emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating, "Labeling Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization makes it crystal clear—these aren’t just criminals, they’re terrorists operating as an arm of the Venezuelan government." He further argued against the district court's actions, saying, "Let’s be clear—this isn’t ordinary crime slipping through the cracks. It’s a full-scale invasion by foreign terrorists, and ignoring it puts American lives in grave danger."

The attorneys general argue that lifting the TRO is crucial for public safety and national security. They assert that the district court's decision obstructs the President’s constitutional and statutory authority to act against foreign threats as provided under Article II of the U.S. Constitution. This authority, according to Wilson, includes measures against transnational criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.

Joining South Carolina and Virginia in the defense brief are the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The outcome of this legal challenge could significantly impact how foreign terrorist organizations are managed within U.S. borders, reflecting broader implications for national security policies.