Alabama News

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20-year-old man shot to death in Mobile County was ‘the absolute best truly,’ loved ones say

A GoFundMe has been organized to help with funeral expenses for a young man killed in Mobile County on Monday night.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Landon Phillips, 20, was found in his vehicle after being shot at 111201 Trace Lane.

Phillips’s aunt, Mikka Jones, said in the GoFundMe description that her nephew was loved by many and was the “absolute best truly.”

“We all loved Landon more then word’s can begin to say if you needed him he was just a call away,” Jones said. “He’d help anyone. He was such an amazing son amazing nephew amazing boyfriend, amazing grandson he was the absolute best truly.”

The sheriff’s office said the shooter, Jason Covington, allegedly admitted to shooting at Phillips’s vehicle.

Witnesses said that Phillips was arguing with another individual when Covington came out of the house with a shotgun and told Phillips to leave, according to the agency.

That is when Covington is said to have fired two shots at Phillips’s car, striking Phillips and killing him.

Covington was arrested and charged with murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle/building and certain persons forbidden for possessing a pistol.

Jones said that Landon leaves behind many including his mom, dad and eight siblings.

Jones said that all donations to assist in Phillips’s burial were appreciated and the funds would go directly to the funeral home.

“We’ve never been the type to ask for help ever but, God we sure do any an everyone’s help so we can lay Landon to rest properly,” Jones said.

“If you’re able to donate please do a thank you in advance truly from the bottom of our hearts if your, not please pray we need all the prayers we can get truly to. Me an my husband loved Landon like he was our very own and, we called him that to so, this pain were feeling of (losing) a child we wouldn’t wish this on our worst enemy not even the devil himself this is the worst.”

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Iconic wrestler, Hall-of-Fame member of 1985 Bears dies at 67 after ALS battle

Steve McMichael, a Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle with the Chicago Bears who later enjoyed a second career as a celebrated professional wrestler, has died. He was 67.

McMichael had since 2021 been suffering from ALS, which left him unable to speak and requiring around-the-clock care. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Longtime friend Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s legendary Bears teammate Walter Payton, announced McMichael’s death via social media.

“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones,” Payton wrote. “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers.”

Born Oct. 17, 1957, in Houston, McMichael was a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection at Texas, earning and a unanimous All-America honors as a senior in 1979. He was selected in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft by New England, but was released after just one season.

McMichael latched on with the Bears in 1981 and started 101 consecutive games at one point. A strapping 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, he was a key member of Chicago’s 1985 Super Bowl championship defense, considered by many to be among the best in NFL history.

Nicknamed “Mongo” after the brutish character from the classic comedy Western film Blazing Saddles, McMichael was twice selected first-team All-Pro and three times made the second team, and also played in two Pro Bowls during his 13 seasons with the Bears. He retired after spending the 1994 season with the Green Bay Packers, finishing his career with 95 sacks, an extraordinarily high total for an interior defensive lineman.

McMichael then transitioned into professional wrestling with first WWE and then WCW, beginning as an announcer and guest commentator who would often “brawl” with the in-ring talent. After becoming a full-time performer, he had memorable turns as a tag team partner with fellow football-player-turned-wrestler Kevin Greene and also as a member of one iteration of the legendary “Four Horsemen” team with Ric Flair, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko.

McMichael left wrestling in 1999, save for a brief return as a guest referee with the Total Nonstop Action promotion in 2008. In later years, he worked in radio, coached an indoor football team, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Romeoville, Ill., sang in an oldies rock n’ roll band and made numerous appearances at reunions and special events with other members of the 1985 Bears.

Due to his ALS diagnosis, McMichael was unable to travel to Canton, Ohio, for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last summer. Several former teammates — including fellow Hall-of-Famers Richard Dent, Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary — delivered McMichael’s Hall-of-Fame bust and gold jacket to him at his home on the day of the ceremony.

McMichael is survived by his wife, Misty, and teenage daughter, Macy.

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‘More and more’ FBI agents will come to Alabama, Kash Patel says on Redstone Arsenal tour

Following a tour of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, FBI Director Kash Patel said that ”more and more” FBI agents will be sent to work at the facility.

Patel toured the FBI facility along with Alabama’s two senators, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala.

According to WAFF, Patel told reporters that Redstone Arsenal was, “one of the gems in the FBI’s crown jewel,“ due to it being an important and reliable place to train agents.

“And I just want to let America know, part of the move to get FBI agents, and intel analysts and support staff out in the field is going to come right through Redstone Arsenal,” Patel said.

“We’re going to put more and more and more people here on a permanent basis from the FBI.”

Patel, previously appointed by President Donald Trump, also referenced a prior order he made to transfer 500 workers from Washington D.C. to the FBI facility at Redstone Arsenal.

“By the end of the year, we’re going to have over 500 more FBI full time employees living [here], not part time, coming here, moving here, working here, living in your communities,” Patel said.

“And they’re going to do the thing that coach (Tuberville) and senator Britt said, we’re going to get after violent crime, we’re going to crush down the narcotics trade, we’re going to seal up our borders.“

The number of FBI workers in Huntsville could balloon to 6,000 after Patel told Britt he was in favor of moving 4,000 workers to Redstone Arsenal during a confirmation hearing in January.

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Flood of trouble: Birmingham Water Works Board fights takeover bill, ethics complaint

Members of the Birmingham Water Works Board are united and on the defensive as a bill to snatch away their power heads to the state senate floor.

The board Wednesday afternoon spent the first 90 minutes of a marathon meeting with speeches defending the quality of the utility, its management and board chair.

Board members and speakers took turns attacking pending legislation to wipe clean the current board and snatch Birmingham’s oversight in favor of regional authority dominated by the surrounding areas and suburbs. The bill could be voted on as early as Thursday and then head to the House.

“You’ve got one of the best boards involved that you’ve ever had at this facility,” said board vice chairman Butch Burbage, a member from Shelby County.

Burbage, who also appeared before a senate committee hearing about the bill Tuesday, restated his arguments that the board was moving in the right direction with recent improvements.

State Senator Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by fellow Republicans Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Sen. Shay Shelnutt.

“This is not an easy fix to change on a dime,” Burbage said. “It takes some time to change those types of things.”

Board members also defended chairwoman Tereshia Huffman against a recent state ethics complaint that accuses her of violating conflict of interest rules when supporting water works grants.

Huffman has denied any wrongdoing.

“At the end of the day, my integrity will always preserve me,” she said.

Members derided the filing as a politically motivated conspiracy from an unnamed disgruntled employee.

“There is absolutely no merit to this complaint,” said board member Dalton NeSmith, an attorney from Blount County. “It is trying to ruin your reputation or your name. I think it was dirty politics.”

Several board members hinted that they knew some of those behind the complaint and vowed to find the others.

“At some point in time we’re going to find out who wrote this complaint,” Nesmith said. “That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

Nesmith said Huffman has championed ethics on the board, including the board’s ethics policy and pledge.

That same pledge was also the source of a lawsuit from former board member George Munchus, who sued and accused Huffman and the board of withholding his stipend for refusing to sign the policy with language that he considered to be a ‘loyalty pledge.’

That lawsuit was dismissed in Jefferson County court and is being appealed to the state supreme court.

“I hope they come forward,” Huffman said of the alleged whistleblower. “We will find out their name later.”

However, while board members assailed the ethics complaint and the complainant, state law offers some protection to whistleblowers.

Section 36-25-24 of the Alabama Code prohibits employers from retaliating against public employees who in good faith report violations. On the other hand, supervisors are allowed to file civil action against employees who file reports without good faith.

Board member Larry Ward also defended Huffman.

“It ain’t fair, but there’s not a lot in life that is,” he said.

Ward went on to laud the board for its financial management and infrastructure improvements. Ward said the utility has been unfairly characterized in the press, including over its recent controversial public comment policy.

“I am extremely disappointed in the media this time,” said Ward, adding a few personal insults, directed at AL.com columnist John Archibald. “What we see is just not the way it was presented.”

The policy, which reduced speaking time from three minutes to two minutes, and which requires advance notice to appear before the board, created a firestorm just days before the state legislation was filed. While the board officially paused the policy Wednesday, Huffman and others still defended it.

“It was never an intent to restrict anyone’s voices,” Huffman said. “That policy was for us to get your information in advance and for us to come to you.”

On the contrary, Huffman assailed the proposed legislation as the real attack on the public. Huffman said she hoped public ire against the bill would be as strong as it was against the speaker’s policy.

Others who spoke in support of the board included Birmingham Councilman J.T. Moore and Derrick Maye, chairman of the Water Works Employee Association.

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson also urged the board committee to permanently reinstate their previous comment policy. Tyson was a vocal critic of the new public comment policy.

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2025 NFL Draft: Are the New Orleans Saints allergic to Auburn?

The New Orleans Saints chose Auburn defensive lineman Frank Warren with the first pick in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft – six selections after they took future Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson.

Warren was a good pick, too. Only three of the other prospects chosen in the 1981 draft played in more NFL regular-season games than Warren – Jackson, offensive tackle Tim Irwin and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott.

A prep standout at Phillips High School in Birmingham, Warren appeared in 189 regular-season and three playoff games and recorded 56 sacks and 11 fumble recoveries in his 13 seasons with the Saints.

Despite Warren’s career, New Orleans has not drafted an Auburn player since, but every other team in the NFL has.

Auburn has had 171 players chosen in the NFL Draft since the Saints selected Warren. That’s the longest active draft drought for SEC players from one program for one NFL team when measured by picks.

There is a conference member with a longer pick drought with an NFL team, but it did not involve SEC players. Texas played its first season as a league member in 2024 and will be sending SEC players to the NFL for the first time this week.

There have been 187 players drafted from Texas since the New York Jets tabbed one. New York took wide receiver Lam Jones from the Longhorns at No. 2 in the 1980 draft, and while the Jets have not picked another player from Texas in the 44 drafts since then, every other NFL team has.

The longest draft drought in terms of years involving an SEC program and an NFL team involves Vanderbilt and the Detroit Lions. Detroit made its most recent selection from the Commodores in 1959, when the Lions took center Ben Donnell. Since then, the other NFL teams have chosen 80 players from Vanderbilt in the draft.

The longest droughts (as measured by the number of drafted players) in the NFL Draft for each SEC team include:

· Alabama: 104 Crimson Tide players have been drafted since the Kansas City Chiefs made their most recent pick from Alabama – LB Nico Johnson in 2013.

· Arkansas: 124 Razorbacks have been drafted since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made their most recent pick from Arkansas — RB Jerry Eckwood in 1979.

· Auburn: 171 Tigers have been drafted since the New Orleans Saints made their most recent pick from Auburn — DL Frank Warren in 1981.

· Florida: 93 Gators have been drafted since the Tennessee Titans made their most recent pick from Florida – DB Ryan Smith in 2007.

· Georgia: 90 Bulldogs have been drafted since the Dallas Cowboys made their most recent pick from Georgia – RB Shaun Chapas in 2011.

· Kentucky: 132 Wildcats have been drafted since the Miami Dolphins made their most recent pick from Kentucky — RB Larry Seiple in 1967.

· LSU: 95 Tigers have been drafted since the Indianapolis Colts made their most recent pick from LSU – DT Drake Nevis in 2011.

· Mississippi State: 133 Bulldogs have been drafted since the Los Angeles Chargers made their most recent pick from Mississippi State — WR Sammy Milner in 1971.

· Missouri: 84 Tigers have been drafted since the New York Giants made their most recent pick from Missouri — OT Conrad Goode in 1984.

· Oklahoma: 117 Sooners have been drafted since the Houston Texans made their first pick in an NFL Draft in 2002, and the team has never selected a player from Oklahoma.

· Ole Miss: 107 Rebels have been drafted since the Cleveland Browns made their most recent pick from Ole Miss – LB Curtis Weathers in 1979.

· South Carolina: 123 Gamecocks have been drafted since the Pittsburgh Steelers made their most recent pick from South Carolina – G Steve Courson in 1977.

· Tennessee: 81 Volunteers have been drafted since the Jacksonville Jaguars made their most recent pick from Tennessee – DT John Henderson in 2002.

· Texas: 187 Longhorns have been drafted since the New York Jets made their most recent pick from Texas – WR Lam Jones in 1980.

· Texas A&M: 101 Aggies have been drafted since the Tennessee Titans (as the Houston Oilers) made their most recent pick from Texas A&M – RB Rodney Thomas in 1995.

· Vanderbilt: 80 Commodores have been drafted since the Detroit Lions made their most recent pick from Vanderbilt — C Ben Donnell in 1959.

The draft streaks for Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas A&M extend to before they became SEC members. Oklahoma and Texas played their first SEC seasons in 2024, so this week’s draft will be their first as conference members.

The first round of the 90th NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. CDT Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft resumes at 6 p.m. Friday with the second and third rounds. The four concluding rounds begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network will televise the event.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE SEC, GO TO OUR SEC PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.

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Alabama football adds Power 4 talent at position of need via transfer portal

Alabama football added depth at what had been one of its thinnest positions during spring football on Wednesday. Tight end Jack Sammarco, previously of West Virginia, committed to the Crimson Tide out of the transfer portal.

Sammarco shared the news on social media Wednesday. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama began spring ball already thin at tight end with Danny Lewis Jr. out. When Josh Cuevas and Marshall Pritchett went down with injuries, the Crimson Tide was down to just redshirt freshman Jay Lindsey in terms of scholarship players at the position.

Sammarco, who joined the Mountaineers as a three-star prospect before the 2024 season, played in all 13 games for WVU last season. He made one catch for four yards.

The upcoming sophomore entered the portal after spring football ended for West Virginia. He was recruited by the former staff, led by head coach Neal Brown, who was fired before WVU hired Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State.

“After a lot of thought, prayer and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to enter my name into the NCAA transfer portal,” Sammarco said in a statement announcing his departure from Morgantown. “WVU will always have a special place in my heart, and I appreciate everything this program and facebase have done for me.”

The Crimson Tide lost much of its tight end production from last season to the NFL Draft, with CJ Dippre and Robbie Ouzts both eligible to be picked starting Thursday. Sammarco, at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, could help replace them in the run-blocking game, where both Dippre and Ouzts most excelled.

Sammarco is Alabama’s first transfer portal pickup of the spring window. Ahead of the portal opening, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer noted that the Tide would need to be choosy, given its lack of open scholarships.

“We’ll be careful, and they’ve gotta meet all those areas that we feel good about – the culture of our team, the chemistry from within, the work that’s being put in,” DeBoer said after spring practice ended.

The spring transfer portal window is open through Friday.

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US Marshals capture teen wanted for murders in Tarrant and Birmingham after foot chase

A 19-year-old wanted on murder charges in two cities – Tarrant and Birmingham – was captured Wednesday by the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Eddie Jordan Jr. and Javaris Russell Jr. are charged with capital murder in the Jan. 22 shooting death of 36-year-old Buford Troman “Pete” White.

Russell remains at large.

U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said the fugitive task force members – in search of Jordan – were conducting surveillance earlier today on 32nd Place North when they spotted Jordan get into a blue Volkswagen Jetta.

The deputy marshals tried to stop the car in the 2900 block of 21st Avenue North.

The car slowed and Jordan jumped out and ran. He was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

The female also was captured a short time later.

Keely said two guns were recovered from the vehicle, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device.

The second gun had been reported stolen.

Jordan is also charged in a separate Birmingham homicide, authorities said. Details of that case weren’t immediately available.

Tarrant police last week announced the charges against the teens and said they, along with the U.S. Marshals, were actively searching for the suspects.

The Tarrant slaying happened about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on Mountain Drive.

A neighbor told police White had just backed in his driveway and exited his vehicle when someone opened fire on him.

Police Chief Wendell Major at the time of the homicide said investigators believe White was targeted and said at least 15 shots were fired. White was struck three times in the chest, and the vehicle peppered with bullet holes.

White’s mother found him wounded and called 911. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:33 p.m.

White worked with his father as a concrete finisher. He was also a musician and songwriter.

Major said money and illegal drugs were found at the scene.

Det. Jacob Rouse said White knew at least one of the suspects, but said authorities aren’t disclosing how they knew each at this time.

Rouse the motive is not being released at this time.

Investigators were able to identify a suspect vehicle and used that information, as well as other undisclosed evidence, to identify and charge the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tarrant police at 205-849-2811 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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DraftKings promo code unlocks $200 in bonuses for Heat vs. Cavs and NHL playoffs tonight

There is plenty of live sports action tonight and new users should capitalize on our DraftKings promo code (no code needed) to unlock $200 worth of bonuses and instantly be free to wager them on any markets offered by the sportsbook.

With a simple wager of $5 or more, DraftKings will gift you $200 worth of bonus bets that are free to use anywhere on the platform. Let’s dive in further for more information regarding this exclusive offer.

DraftKings promo code at a glance

DraftKings promo code: How to claim your $200 bonus

This is an easy and exciting way to start out your sports betting journey with DraftKings today. All it takes is a simple $5 wager and you’re on your way with an immediate $200 in bonus bets to utilize on any offered lines by the sportsbook.

Get signed up with DraftKings today by following these simple instructions:

1. Click any link or banner on this page to get started downloading the DraftKings app
2. Tap the ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Join Now’ button in the middle of the page.
3. Make a $5 minimum deposit.
4. Bet $5 on a qualifying market and the bonus funds should appear instantly.

Once the bonus bets have been added to your funds, they’re free to use for the next seven days. Be sure to use them in that time, or they will expire. Click any link on this page to see the full terms and conditions.

DraftKings existing user promos

After you capitalize on this excellent welcome offer, there is much more in store when signing up for DraftKings. Here are just a few perks you can expect to see when joining today:

• NHL SGP Profit Boost: Multiply your profits on any same game parlay for the NHL playoffs.
• NBA Weekly No Sweat: Get a free no sweat wager every week of the NBA playoffs.
• Refer-A-Friend: Land up to 10 100% profit boosts if a friend joins DraftKings using your personal referral link.

How to use the DraftKings promo code for the NBA and NHL Playoffs

The action starts at 7 PM EST when the Montreal Canadians and Washington Capitals begin, but there is plenty of sports action to keep up with tonight.

Here is a quick glance at all the action you could wager on this evening:

• Montreal Canadians vs. Washington Capitals (-1.5) at 7 PM EST on ESPN
• Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-12) at 7:30 PM EST on NBA TV
• Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (-1.5) at 9:30 PM EST on ESPN
• Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings (-1.5) at 10 PM EST on TBS

The best way to utilize your DraftKings Promo Code is to remember that the $150 of bonus bets are already yours. So you should just wager as you usually would.

A line I like in this one is Evan Mobley Under 29.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120). Mobley has gone under this total in three of his last four games and has a tough matchup against Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware from Miami.

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Kalshi promo code ALCOM for NBA playoffs: Net an exclusive $10 bonus for tonight’s action

The NBA playoffs are one of the most fun and dramatic events on the sports calendar. For those in Alabama, and other non-legal sports betting states, the Kalshi promo code ALCOM is the best way for you to cash in on all the drama.

If you’re unfamiliar with the predictions platform, here is a look at how to play on Kalshi and how you can get $10 in site credit to use with Kalshi.

Kalshi promo code at a glance

How does Kalshi work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated financial institution that is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

But it also invites users who keep money in their system to trade on potential outcomes in sports, pop culture and politics — with payouts determined by whether you go with the public opinion (buy) or against it (sell).

For example, if you want to buy the Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference, you would receive an equal share of the pot — a percentage of the amount you traded — if they repeated as East champs. Kalshi just takes a 2 percent commission off each trade.

Kalshi promo code ALCOM: How to claim the offer

Cashing in on the new-user offer at Kalshi is as easy as completing a purchase at an online retailer. Here is a look at the steps:

1. Click through our exclusive link and sign up for a new account using promo code ALCOM
2. Make a first deposit and place $100+ in trades
3. Receive $10 in site credit to be used on any Kalshi-related markets, including the NBA playoffs.

Kalshi existing user promos

Kalshi is a financial institution, not a sportsbook, which is why it can do more for your money than just paying out your winnings.

• Interest. Keeping your money in a Kalshi account empowers you to win big while also watching your money grow. Existing users who keep at least $250 in their Kalshi accounts will get 3.75 percent APY growth on their funds.

How to use your Kalshi promo code for the NBA playoffs

Lakers defeat Timberwolves in first round

Sure, the Lakers lost Game 1 to Minnesota by 22 points, and the No. 3 seed lost home-court advantage in the series. But Los Angeles has split the first two games in four of their past five series and won two of those en route to the Western Conference Finals.

The Lakers have two all-time greats in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and even though Anthony Edwards’ talent and bravado are strong enough to drag Minnesota to a tight series, he can’t beat the Lakers alone.

With the odds now favorable, at Kalshi “buying” the Lakers, the Lakers will pay out with comparable odds of +101 vs. -130 for Minnesota—taking the Lakers to claim the series is the play.

Plus, no matter if you win or lose, if you trade $100+ at Kalshi, you’ll get $10 in site credit to use.

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Republicans denounce ‘childish tantrum’ as critics call for University of Alabama to cancel Trump speech

The head of the University of Alabama College Democrats is calling the reaction to their criticism about President Donald Trump’s visit on May 1 as “very weird,” and that they have no plans to “bow down to him like some sort of king or God.”

The reaction from Brandon Vick, president of the UA Democrats, comes after Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, in a social media post, said the college organization’s reaction to the president’s visit was akin to a “childish tantrum.”

A change.org petition, posted on Wednesday, had over 5,000 signatures opposed to Trump’s commencement appearance.

“Commencement is a time to honor the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our graduating students—not to serve as a platform for political polarization,” the petition states.

See also:

“Moreover, we are deeply concerned about the potential impact his participation could have on the well-being and sense of safety among students of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other marginalized members of our campus community.

“The values and rhetoric associated with President Trump do not reflect the inclusive and respectful environment we strive to uphold at the University of Alabama.”

The University of Alabama College Republicans, also in a social media post, blasted the UA Democrats as “radical leftist counterparts” whose opinions do not reflect the entirety of the university.

The polarizing reactions come after Trump, on Monday, announced on Truth Social that he will be delivering a commencement address on campus. The address will be a special ticketed event at the Coleman Coliseum and is separate from other commencement ceremonies that will occur from May 2 through May 4.

While logistics are still being worked out, the Trump event will be open to spring 2024 graduates.

The UA Democrats, on social media Tuesday, blasted the president’s visit, and called him an “unpopular, divisive, and authoritarian” president.

“This insult will not go unanswered,” the College Democrats said. “We cannot allow this to happen with our commencement ceremonies.”

The group also criticized the last time Trump visited campus, in September during the Alabama-Georgia football game. The UA Democrats blamed Trump for turning the game into a “political sideshow.”

“We cannot allow this to happen to our commencement ceremonies,” the post reads.

The college Democrats also claim that the university students supported former Vice President Kamala Harris last November. In an email to AL.com, the group said that in the three major campus area precincts — UA Student Recreation Center, Forest Lake Methodist Church, and Tuscaloosa County Courthouse Annex – Harris won by 14, 20, and 34 votes, respectively, Trump.

Ainsworth, the No. 2 political figure in the state who is considering a 2026 run for governor, shot back with an X post comparing the college Democrats to the national party.

“The University of Alabama College Democrats have taken a page from the radical playbook we see used on liberal campuses in other states,” he said.

“Having the sitting President of the United States address your class at commencement is an honor. Their childish tantrum is tone deaf.”

The UA Republicans, in its Facebook post, said they were disappointed in the college Democrats and their response, calling the group “radical leftists.”

“It’s very weird how Republicans across the state, whether that be Lt. Gov. Ainsworth or the UA College Republicans, have made it a point to pathetically whine about our reaction to Trump’s commencement rally, as if we’re supposed to bow down to him like some sort of king or God himself,” Vick said in an email to AL.com.

“The last time I checked, neither Alabama nor America has any kings.”

Vick said the UA Democrats offered a similar statement of criticism at Democratic Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last month for his cloture vote that allowed the GOP to pass a continuing resolution.

“They were silent when we told our national Democratic leaders to stand up for us, and now they’re melting down because we asked our university’s leaders to do the same,” Vick said.

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