Sealing the borders is not martial law. You may think that a state that's in martial law would seal their borders, but it's not a defining characteristic of martial law at all.

This is a big deal because I really don't think Alex understands the concept of martial law at all. I think he just uses it as a scary buzzword to evoke negative feelings in the listeners, but it often doesn't seem relevant to the things he's discussing at all.

This is just part of Alex's branding of his enemy forces, but it's also important to remember that even if everything Alex is saying there were true, that would still not be martial law.

Now, what's even more fun is if we consult Merriam-Webster and find the definition from martial law. Quote, the law administered by military forces that's invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety. Sure. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, one of the most defining characteristics of martial law is the military takes over the administration of justice. And none of that stuff is happening at all right now.