Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Refutes Right Wing Mischaracterization of Recent Comments and Chastizes the Actions of ICE

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a video statement on Sunday afternoon, refuting right-wing characterizations of comments she made to Channel 12’s Brahm Resnik and chastizing the actions of ICE in Minnesota and Arizona.

The transcript of Attorney General Maye’s remarks are below.

“I want to speak directly to Arizona law enforcement and reiterate my support and appreciation for the work you do every day to keep our state and its people safe.

I have seen firsthand as your attorney general the dedication and commitment you bring to a job that is inherently dangerous. You will always have my full support.

Despite how right-wing media has mischaracterized recent comments I made about ICE and the danger its actions pose to public safety, the idea that I would want the life of any member of law enforcement put in danger is wrong, offensive, and an outright lie. Danger to law enforcement is the very thing I want to avoid in Arizona.

But I will not be deterred from speaking out or criticizing the Trump administration for its ongoing abuses of power and its trashing of our sacred constitution — which I took an oath to uphold. An oath that I take seriously with every ounce of my being.

And I will not accept the hypocrisy from Republican legislators and candidates for office who have twisted my words but remained silent after Donald Trump pardoned the rioters who assaulted and beat capitol police officers on January 6th, 2021.

Arizonans do not want masked agents entering their homes without warrants. It is un-American and threatens the rights and safety of everyone in our state.

But we have all witnessed the increasingly chaotic and dangerous activity of ICE agents in cities across the country.

And this month, two Americans, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti have been killed at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis. The federal government has also become openly hostile to state and local law enforcement organizations in Minnesota that are attempting to keep their state safe.

Because of what is happening in this country, I have become increasingly concerned for the safety of Arizonans and state and local law enforcement if the Trump administration surges a large number of poorly trained agents to our state.

ICE’s behavior is destroying the public’s trust in law enforcement and putting every American, including local law enforcement in danger. It will take years if not decades to undo the damage that has been done over the past twelve months.

The Trump administration must stop this chaos and destruction and pull this country back from the brink.

I will always stand in support of Arizona’s sheriffs and police departments, and my office will continue to work with our state, local, and tribal partners to keep Arizona safe and peaceful. I urge the Trump administration to do the same.

And as long as I am Arizona’s attorney general, I will never waver in my defense of the United States Constitution and the rights it guarantees the people of this great nation. Thank you. God bless Arizona, and God bless America.”