Governor Kevin Stitt announced an emergency filing with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to compel the City of Tulsa to enforce state and municipal laws within its jurisdiction.

Recently, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols entered into a proposed settlement agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. In the settlement agreement, he agreed to bar Tulsa Police from enforcing municipal and state laws against tribal members within city limits. This goes beyond crimes covered under the McGirt decision, including but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, child endangerment, and domestic assault.

“More than anything, this is a public safety issue,” said Gov. Stitt. “No mayor has the authority to pick and choose which Oklahomans are subject to the laws of our state. By entering into this agreement, Mayor Nichols has essentially made Tulsa a sanctuary city with two systems of justice. One for those with tribal membership and one for everyone else. This makes our state less safe.”

In his filing, the Governor asserts that Mayor Nichols does not have the authority to “co-govern” in this manner. Governor Stitt asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court to immediately block Tulsa’s settlement agreement and compel the City to resume its constitutional duty to enforce the law.