Alaska’s Attorney General Treg Taylor has emerged as a formidable guardian of state sovereignty in an era of expanding federal authority. In a recent in-depth conversation, Taylor revealed how abandoning his childhood dream of becoming an Air Force fighter pilot ultimately led him to a position where he could defend Alaska’s autonomy against federal overreach.
Taylor’s journey from aspiring pilot to Alaska’s chief legal officer is marked by pivotal decisions guided by faith. After two years at the Air Force Academy, he felt compelled to change course while serving as a missionary in the Canary Islands. Despite having his dream of returning to the Academy within reach—pilot qualification secured and acceptance letter in hand—Taylor described an overwhelming spiritual conviction that he should pursue a different path. This decision, though emotionally wrenching at the time, led him to law school and eventually to Alaska, where he built a career that prepared him for his current role defending state interests against federal intrusion.
Since assuming the position of Attorney General four years ago, coinciding with the beginning of the Biden administration, Taylor has led Alaska in numerous legal challenges against federal overreach. His office has been remarkably successful in litigation against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, winning four out of five major cases. Taylor’s team successfully challenged mandates that would have forced healthcare workers, federal contractors, and employees of large companies to receive COVID vaccines or risk losing their livelihoods. The only case they lost involved military personnel, where presidential authority is more clearly established—though even in this “noble failure,” Taylor noted the pressure generated ultimately led to the mandate being rescinded.
Education has been another battleground where Taylor has taken a stand for state sovereignty and parental rights. He successfully defended Alaska’s correspondence school program against a legal challenge from the National Education Association, preserving educational choice for approximately 22,000 Alaskan students. Taylor expressed deep concern about Alaska’s poor educational outcomes despite high per-pupil spending, and voiced support for the proposed dismantling of the federal Department of Education, arguing that education decisions are properly reserved to states under the Tenth Amendment.
For Alaskans concerned about the future of their state, Taylor’s work represents a robust defense of their right to self-determination. His legal battles against federal overreach not only protect Alaska’s economic interests but also preserve the principle that the people closest to the issues should have the greatest say in how they’re addressed.
