Arizona GOP calls for AG Kris Mayes’ resignation after ‘reckless’ ICE comments

PHOENIX — Arizona GOP lawmakers have formally called for Attorney General Kris Mayes’ resignation after she made “reckless” comments about the state’s Stand Your Ground law and confrontations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The resolution is represented through SCR 1036, which states that Mayes “dangerously misrepresented Arizona law and risked putting law enforcement officers and civilians in harm’s way.”

Mayes in a video statement Sunday said her commentary was “mischaracterized” and that she wants to avoid “danger to law enforcement.”

Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh in a press release said any of Mayes’ words, regardless of intent, “do not stay theoretical.”

“Her words are relied upon by citizens, officers and public officials alike,” Kavanagh said. “They carry real-word consequences during traffic stops, arrests and emergency responses, where hesitation or misunderstanding can turn deadly.”

The resolution adds that Mayes created “confusion where the law demands absolute clarity.”

Mayes has served as state attorney general since being elected in 2022.

What did Attorney General Kris Mayes say about ICE, Stand Your Ground law?

The controversy began last week when Mayes expressed concerns that confrontations between Arizona residents and ICE could turn deadly in an interview with 12News. She called the combination of armed residents who are empowered under the law to defend themselves and mask-wearing agents without uniforms “a recipe for disaster.”

Brahm Resnik, the journalist conducting the interview, asked her to clarify if she was “giving license to a person to shoot an officer.”

“Absolutely not. But how do you know they’re a peace officer? That’s the key,” Mayes said. “And so if there’s a situation where somebody pulls out their gun, because they know Arizona is a Stand Your Ground state, then it becomes, did they reasonably know that they were a peace officer? I mean, this is a different set of circumstances in the state of Arizona.”

Mayes also vowed in the interview to prosecute any ICE agent who violates Arizona law, although federal immunity law makes that more complicated to bring to fruition.

Mayes talked further about the issue Thursday during an interview with KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos. She explained that under Arizona law, residents who reasonably believe their lives are in danger can use lethal force to protect themselves.

“If you are really sure that they are ICE and they present a badge or they present identification, then I would not recommend using lethal force against them. But one of the worries that I have is … that we have a Stand Your Ground law in Arizona,” Mayes said.

Joe Clure, executive director of the Arizona Police Association, responded to the attorney general’s comments Friday on KTAR News, calling them “reckless” and “dangerous.”

“I was in complete shock when I heard the … highest law enforcement official in the state of Arizona essentially giving a tutorial on how to shoot a police officer, specifically ICE agents, and get away with it,” Clure said.

Clure also accused Mayes of misinterpreting Arizona’s Stand Your Ground law because it doesn’t allow for lethal force against law enforcement officers performing official duties.

KTAR News’ Kevin Stone contributed to this report.

Related

Arizona GOP leaders voice anger at Attorney General Kris Mayes over her recent ICE commentsAG Mayes: ICE comments mischaracterized, won't stop speaking out about Trump administrationPolice liaison quits following AG Mayes' controversial interview on ICEArizona Police Association official calls AG Mayes' comments 'reckless' and 'dangerous'Arizona AG Mayes encourages taking video of interactions with ICEAZ Political Podcast: Analyst breaks down Arizona’s post-primary general election map