Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is facing sharp backlash after comments critics say suggested civilians could be justified in shooting masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Mayes made the remarks during a televised interview after announcing a new state service designed to document and report alleged misconduct by federal law enforcement officers.
During the interview with 12News reporter Brahm Resnik, Mayes was pressed on what she believed constituted a justified response to ICE operations in Arizona, Townhall reported.
Resnik attempted to clarify whether Mayes was encouraging violence against officers, repeatedly asking whether citizens had “license” to shoot a peace officer.
Mayes responded by saying that if someone is attacked by an individual who is masked and not clearly identified as law enforcement, it may be difficult for a civilian to know how to respond.
“If somebody comes at me, wearing a mask, and I can’t tell whether they’re a police officer, what am I supposed to do?” Mayes said.
She added that Arizona’s stand your ground laws, combined with masked federal agents, have created what she described as a “combustible” situation.
The comments prompted an immediate response from the Arizona Police Association, which accused Mayes of endangering officers.
Arizona Police Association Executive Director Joe Clure said Mayes’ remarks could make an already dangerous profession even more hazardous.
Clure said that while Mayes initially urged protesters to remain peaceful, respectful, and restrained, the discussion quickly shifted to self-defense laws and the use of deadly force.
In that context, Clure said, Mayes outlined scenarios in which someone could claim legal justification for shooting a law enforcement officer.
He warned that law enforcement officers at all levels frequently operate in plain clothes or wear face coverings for safety and operational reasons.
Clure said ICE agents are sworn federal officers carrying out lawful duties and that publicly speculating about when they could be shot sends a dangerous message.
“Words from elected officials matter,” Clure said, warning that unstable individuals could interpret such remarks as encouragement to use violence against police.
“Law enforcement is inherently dangerous work. Recent public comments by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes have the potential to make it even more dangerous, Clure said.
“During a televised interview with 12News journalist Brahm Resnick regarding a potential ICE deployment in Arizona, the Attorney General was asked whether she had a message for protesters. She responded by urging them to remain peaceful, respectful, and restrained, stating she would ‘protect’ them. That message, standing alone, was appropriate,” he said.
“However, the interview quickly shifted to a discussion of Arizona’s self-defense and ‘stand your ground’ laws. In that context, Attorney General Mayes went on to describe scenarios under which a person could claim legal justification for shooting a law enforcement officer, specifically citing the possibility that ICE agents might not be easily identifiable due to masks or nontraditional uniforms.
“Even the interviewer expressed concern and attempted to redirect the conversation. Despite this, the Attorney General continued to outline how deadly force could be justified against law enforcement officers under those circumstances,” Clure said.
“This framing is deeply troubling and dangerous. Law enforcement officers at every level including state, local, and federal agencies do not always wear traditional uniforms. Officers across Arizona, including members of the Attorney General’s own investigative teams, routinely operate in plain clothes or wear protective face coverings when circumstances require it. This does not diminish their legal authority or status as law enforcement,” he said.
