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I will invoke a principal that has not been in vogue for close to 150 years. It is called nullification. The Alien and Sedition Acts were nullified in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions written by Jefferson and Madison in protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts. However, the point is nullification is extremely mute after the Civil War. The belief in nullification was common before the 1860's because it was widely believed that union of the states was a voluntary one, and the states still retained their sovereignty. Nullification was routine, and if I remember correctly one of the governors of PA nullified a federal court order and called in state troops to stop the execution of it. So much for Bill Pryor for actually understanding states rights.

Nullification never was "in vogue" nor could it ever have had ANY legal impact. The resolutions were just blowing smoke and represent stains upon the honor and integrity of Madison and Jefferson. They are the low points of their distinguished careers and were only done under the cover of anonymity since they were so absurd.

Why don't you ask Andy Jackson about nullification and how he would treat anyone foolish enough to try it?

I have only a vague recollection of the PA episode but doubt if it occurred as you describe.

A Law of the Land means nullification is illegal and unconstitutional on its face. NO other states accepted the Va. or Ky. Resolutions because they were so stupid.