Congressman Aderholt Joins Amicus Brief in Challenge to Justice Department’s Flagrant Intimidation of Non-Profit Organization in Alabama

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt announced he has joined an amicus brief before the federal court challenging a subpoena issued to Eagle Forum of Alabama.

“I have joined several of my Alabama Congressional colleagues, members of the state legislature, and organizations from across the country in this amicus brief because what the Department of Justice has done in this case is beyond the pale. Eagle Forum of Alabama is a private, non-profit organization that is being punished for simply exercising its First Amendment rights.  This point cannot be overstated.  The government of the United States is targeting, bullying, and trying to make an example of an organization the Biden Administration disagrees with. 

“The purpose of DOJ’s action is clear - to send a shot across the bow of any organizations that if they dare exercise their First Amendment-protected right to petition the government, they too could become entangled in a costly and arduous legal battle.  I’m joining this brief and calling on the DOJ to stand down.”

Background:  On August 9th, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Birmingham sent a subpoena to Eagle Forum of Alabama to obtain its communications surrounding advocacy in support of a bill banning hormone treatments and gender transition surgeries for minors. After the bill’s passage in the Alabama state legislature, Biden’s DOJ filed a lawsuit against the legislation, and it was subsequently blocked by a federal judge in May, pending the outcome of this case.

Eagle Forum of Alabama has made it clear in recent media reports that they are not involved in the lawsuit and their advocacy in the support of the legislation is not necessary to determine the constitutionality of the law.