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Arizona’s Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes has sparked controversy by suggesting that the state’s stand your ground laws could potentially justify residents shooting at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who cannot be identified as law enforcement.
During an interview with 12 News anchor Brahm Resnik on Monday, Mayes explained the potential danger created when federal agents operate without clear identification.
“You know, it’s kind of a recipe for disaster because you have these masked federal officers with very little identification, sometimes no identification, wearing plain clothes and masks,” Mayes said during the interview. “We have a stand your ground law that says if you reasonably believe your life is in danger, and you’re in your house or your car or on your property that you can defend yourself with lethal force.”
When the host sought clarification, asking if she was imploring people to shoot federal officers, Mayes denied this interpretation while maintaining her position on the legal implications.
“Well… no, but again, if you’re being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer, how do you know? I mean if somebody comes at me wearing a mask, by the way, I’m a gun owner, and I can’t tell whether they’re a police officer, what am I supposed to do?” she responded.
Mayes further clarified: “No, I am not suggesting people pull out their guns, but this is a don’t tread on me state.”
The attorney general’s comments come amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in border states like Arizona. Mayes has also launched a portal on her government website for individuals to report “an incident where ICE engages in assault, or murder, or unlawful imprisonment,” which her office says will be used for investigations.
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from political opponents. Rodney Glassman, a Republican challenging Mayes in the upcoming election, told Fox News Digital that Mayes is “openly suggesting how to kill ICE officers and avoid prosecution under Arizona’s stand your ground law” and accused her of betraying her oath of office.
“From running the Attorney General’s office like an anti-Trump law firm, to now saying ICE ‘isn’t real law enforcement’ and suggesting plain-clothed ICE officers can lawfully be shot,” Glassman said. “Kris Mayes is more interested in building a resistance resume, instead of working for Arizonans.”
Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Congressman David Schweikert called Mayes’ comments “dangerous” and “attention-seeking.”
“Her comments not only jeopardized the safety of federal law enforcement agents, but state and local law enforcement as well,” Schweikert told Fox News Digital.
ICE has maintained an active presence in Arizona, reporting in December that 46 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Tucson, along with two individuals charged with impeding law enforcement operations. These enforcement actions have occurred amid growing tensions, with Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede addressing protests that reportedly involved assaults on ICE agents and damage to federal vehicles.
“These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce,” Rede said in a statement. “This agency will not stand for it and those seeking to continue such practices are on notice — there will be more enforcement operations in Arizona.”
Mayes, who was elected attorney general in 2022, faces reelection in 2026. Her comments come as several jurisdictions across the country, including Philadelphia, have taken increasingly confrontational stances toward federal immigration enforcement operations.
The Department of Homeland Security and Attorney General Mayes did not respond to requests for comment on this developing situation, which highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between state authorities and federal immigration enforcement in border states.
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12 Comments
The Attorney General’s comments on this issue are highly problematic and concerning. Encouraging residents to potentially use lethal force against unidentified federal agents, even if they have stand-your-ground laws, is an extremely risky and irresponsible proposition. This could easily escalate tensions and lead to tragic outcomes. A more responsible, de-escalating approach is needed.
I agree completely. The Attorney General’s remarks are extremely ill-advised and could have severe consequences if taken seriously. Responsible leadership is crucial in defusing this type of volatile situation.
The Attorney General’s remarks on this issue are highly controversial and concerning. Implying that residents could legally shoot at federal agents, even if unidentified, is an extremely risky and irresponsible position that could easily spiral out of control. This requires a measured, responsible approach to avoid potential violence.
The Attorney General’s remarks are quite alarming and could be interpreted as inciting violence against federal agents. While stand-your-ground laws exist, they should not be used to justify shooting at unidentified individuals, even if they are government officials. This is an extremely delicate situation that requires thoughtful, responsible leadership.
Absolutely. The Attorney General’s comments seem reckless and ill-advised. Encouraging residents to potentially use lethal force against unidentified federal agents is an extremely dangerous proposition that could have severe consequences.
This is a very complex and sensitive issue. While I understand the Attorney General’s concerns about unidentified federal agents, suggesting residents could legally shoot at them is extremely concerning. Escalating the situation in this way could lead to tragic outcomes. Cooler heads and a de-escalation of tensions are needed.
This is a very delicate and complex situation that requires thoughtful, nuanced leadership. While the Attorney General may have valid concerns about unidentified federal agents, suggesting residents could legally shoot at them is extremely dangerous and could lead to disastrous consequences. A more measured, de-escalating approach is urgently needed.
This is a highly concerning situation. While stand-your-ground laws are meant to protect individuals, suggesting residents could legally shoot at unidentified federal agents seems extremely risky and irresponsible. Tensions are already high, and this could easily escalate into violence.
I agree, the Attorney General’s comments are very problematic and could have dangerous consequences. Clarification and de-escalation are urgently needed here to prevent any potential tragedies.
The Attorney General’s remarks on this issue are deeply troubling and could be interpreted as inciting violence. Encouraging residents to potentially use lethal force against unidentified federal agents, even if they have stand-your-ground laws, is an extremely reckless and irresponsible position that could have catastrophic consequences. This requires immediate clarification and de-escalation from responsible leaders.
I agree, the Attorney General’s comments are highly problematic and could easily escalate an already tense situation. Responsible, de-escalating leadership is urgently needed to prevent potential tragedies.
While I understand the Attorney General’s concerns about unidentified federal agents, her comments on this issue are highly controversial and concerning. Suggesting residents could legally shoot at these agents, even if they feel their life is in danger, is an extremely risky and dangerous proposition that could easily spiral out of control. This requires a much more thoughtful, measured approach to avoid potential violence.