Alabama AG orders review of dark money group he chairs after deadly Capitol riot

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says a non-profit organization he chairs, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, or RLDF, was not authorized to promote or participate in the March to Save America. The rally ultimately led to a deadly insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol.

“I was completely unaware of our connection to this rally whatsoever,” Marshall stated.

The RLDF is the fundraising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association, or RAGA, which works to elect Republicans to AG positions nationwide.

The dark money group raises millions of dollars each year to support its election goals. Following the riots, NBC News reports some of RAGA’s largest corporate donors have expressed their concerns about the organization’s involvement in the protest.

A watchdog group called Documented was the first to tie the RLDF to the protest and the robocall the organization used to promote the event.

The robocall stated:

“I’m calling for the Rule of Law Defense Fund with an important message,” the robocall stated. “The March to Save America is tomorrow in Washington, D.C. at the Ellipse in President’s Park between E St. and Constitution Avenue on the south side of the White House, with doors opening at 7:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal. We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections. For more information, visit MarchtoSaveAmerica.com. This call is paid for and authorized by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, 202-796-5838.”

Marshall called the group’s action unacceptable and ordered an internal review to determine how this occurred without notifying leadership. As for the breakdown in communication, “part of the review will look at exactly that issue,” Marshall answered.

Marshall couldn’t say when the review would be finished or whether anyone would face disciplinary action.

“We’re a private agency and nonprofits don’t publicly announce what goes on from an employee discipline standpoint,” Marshall responded.

Marshall condemned the violent breach of the Capitol but stopped short of saying whether President Donald Trump bears any responsibility.

“I didn’t see anything about the rally, I don’t know anything about his remarks,” Marshall stated.

Marshall’s been a staunch supporter of the president. After the election, Marshall signed onto a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to block four states from casting their electoral college votes in favor of President-elect Joe Biden and to review irregularities. The suit was thrown out.

Marshall was outspoken about the first articles of impeachment against Trump in 2020. However, he didn’t comment on the latest attempt to impeach Trump.

“That’s really an issue for our congressional delegation,” the AG stated.

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