Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is preparing to leverage the full force of his office against abortion.
On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his state isn’t interested in cooperating with states seeking to prosecute women or doctors for seeking and performing abortions.
Marshall took his reaction to Newsome directly.
“We aren’t asking for your permission,” Marshall said on Twitter. “Alabama will not permit abortionists to defy our laws and enrich themselves by marketing hopelessness to women.”
We aren’t asking for your permission, @GavinNewsom. Alabama will not permit abortionists to defy our laws and enrich themselves by marketing hopelessness to women. https://t.co/sxUmL8JFmd
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) August 31, 2023
The reply Marshall fired off comes after he requested a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit targeting him. The lawsuit was initiated by a group known for assisting Alabama residents in obtaining abortions.
In a court filing Monday, Marshall’s office wrote that providing transportation for women in Alabama to leave the state to get an abortion could amount to a “criminal conspiracy.”
VIDEO: Steve Marshall attracting national attention for saying he will enforce Alabama law
Marshall made the case Alabama can pursue charges because it has outlawed abortion.
“Though abortion may be legal elsewhere, it is plainly illegal pursuant to [the Code of Alabama] Plaintiffs to conspire with others to procure abortions that would be illegal in Alabama,” the motion reads.
“The criminal conduct is the agreement itself, which is conduct that occurs in Alabama that Alabama has every right to prosecute. Thus, the legality of abortion in other States is irrelevant to whether Alabama can prosecute a conspiracy formed in Alabama.”
As of this morning, Newsom has yet to respond.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270