Arizona GOP Leader Calls for AG Mays’ Resignation

In a letter from January 23, 2026, Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanaugh (R) urged Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays (D) to “resign in shame” after her remarks related to the shooting of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.

Mays, during a January 20 interview, commented on Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law, describing it as one of the most comprehensive in the state. She remarked, “We have masked federal agents in plain clothes, often without identification. Our ‘Stand Your Ground’ law allows individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe their life is in danger while at home, in a vehicle, or on their property.”

She also highlighted the issue of unmarked officers, stating, “In other states, there are ununiformed, masked individuals who don’t clearly identify as police.” She raised concerns about the need for clear identification, saying, “You’re not allowed to shoot a peace officer, but… how do you know they’re a peace officer?”

At the beginning of the interview, Mays criticized ICE, calling it “very poorly trained” and expressed that she does not view it as a true law enforcement agency.

Kavanaugh’s letter in response to Mays included a call for her to “immediately retract these statements… Given the serious risks posed by her comments, she should resign in shame. Arizona requires an attorney general who supports law enforcement, respects the rule of law, and understands the impact of their words. Ms. Mays has shown she is unfit for this position.”