AZ Senate Passes Resolution Calling for AG Mayes’ Resignation Over Stand Your Ground Law Remarks

Summary: The Arizona State Senate passed a non-binding resolution urging Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes to resign over her televised comments suggesting that Arizonans could legally use lethal force against ICE agents under the state's Stand Your Ground law if they reasonably feared for their lives. Republicans criticized the remarks as reckless and inflammatory, while Mayes defended them as an accurate explanation of existing law amid concerns about aggressive federal immigration enforcement.

ARIZONA – The Arizona State Senate, controlled by Republicans, passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 1036 (SCR 1036) on January 29, 2026, formally urging Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes to resign. The resolution criticizes Mayes for comments made during a televised interview where she discussed Arizona's "Stand Your Ground" law in the context of potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Mayes warned that individuals who reasonably believe their lives are in danger on their property could legally defend themselves with lethal force, particularly if agents enter homes without warrants.

Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope and Majority Leader John Kavanagh, argue that her statements dangerously misrepresent state law, potentially endangering law enforcement officers and eroding public trust in the rule of law.

The Yellow Sheet reported that Senate Republicans do not plan to pursue impeachment of Mayes over these comments:

Senate President Warren Petersen echoed the call for Mayes to retract her statements and resign, noting that even Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs believes Mayes went too far:

U.S. Representative Andy Biggs criticized Hobbs for taking nearly a week to comment on Mayes' remarks, calling it shameful and a lack of leadership in supporting law enforcement:

Mayes has defended her remarks, stating they were mischaracterized and that she was simply explaining existing Arizona law to highlight concerns over aggressive federal immigration tactics. Her comments drew backlash from law enforcement groups, leading to the resignation of David Harvey, her office's law enforcement liaison, on January 23, 2026, just days after the interview:

Harvey's brief resignation letter thanked Mayes for the opportunity but did not specify reasons, amid condemnations from groups like the Arizona Police Association and Republican critics who called her statements inflammatory and reckless.

The Arizona Police Association issued a plea to electeds for "cooperative public safety solutions," stating that “police officers do not write the laws or set public policy. Those responsibilities rest with elected officials. Our role is to enforce the laws we are given, often in dangerous and uncertain conditions, and to do so professionally and lawfully.

In related news, fundraiser Mark Holodnak resigned from his role following condemnations from Mayes and Congressman Greg Stanton over his behavior at an anti-ICE protest, as reported by R.C. Maxwell:

While the resolution expresses the Senate's disapproval and calls for Mayes to issue corrective guidance or step down, it is non-binding and carries no legal authority to force her resignation.

The Yellow Sheet reported that legislative Democrats have joined forces to defend Mayes against the GOP criticism:

In a notable intra-party critique, Governor Hobbs described Mayes' comments as "inappropriate" and potentially ramping up the risk of violence, suggesting that the extensive explanations Mayes has had to provide indicate her message missed the mark:

This action underscores the partisan divide in Arizona's government, where resolutions like SCR 1036 serve as political tools to signal disapproval rather than enact change. It highlights the importance of civic awareness in understanding the limits of legislative resolutions when radical agendas consume the minority caucus.

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