'Going to get someone killed': Democratic AG shocks with talk about shooting ICE agents in 'stand your ground' Arizona
Republican lawmakers, the Arizona Police Association, and the Trump administration castigated Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) this week over her suggestion that it may be reasonable to shoot masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Mayes made no secret of her contempt for ICE in her interview with KPNX-TV's Brahm Resnik, suggesting, for instance, that ICE officers are engaged in "thuggish, brutish behavior" and causing chaos, confusion, and anxiety in Minneapolis.
'How do you know they are a peace officer?'
"It's a combustible situation, let's be clear about that," said Mayes. "It's a combustible situation being caused by ICE right now, wearing masks."
After noting that she was "outraged and sickened" to see ICE agents outside her building and claiming that "real cops don't wear masks," the Democrat — who is seeking re-election — made a point of stressing that Arizona is a "stand your ground state."
"We also have a lot of guns in Arizona," she said with a smile.
"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, and we have a stand your ground law that says that if you reasonably believe that your life is in danger and you are in your house or your car or on your property, that you can defend yourself with lethal force."
Resnik pumped the brakes and said, "I want to be careful with that and understand what you are saying because you know how that could be interpreted."
RELATED: Anti-ICE radical who took credit for the invasion of Minnesota church ARRESTED by feds
"But it's the fact," said Mayes.
While Mayes clarified that you still cannot gun down peace officers in the Grand Canyon State and that she was not giving anyone license to start doing so, she appeared to give would-be killers an excuse, stating, "How do you know they're a peace officer?"
"If there's a situation where somebody pulls out their gun because they know Arizona is a stand your ground state, then it becomes 'did they reasonably know that they were a peace officer?'" said Arizona's top law enforcement officer.
When Resnik once more pressed her for clarification that she was not "telling folks you have license if you are threatened," Mayes said, "Well," and smirked.
"No," she continued, "but again, if you're being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer, how do you know?"
Republican Arizona Rep. David Schweikert noted, "Let's not pretend this was some careful legal seminar."
"This was the attorney general of Arizona freelancing a scenario where bullets start flying and then shrugging it off as 'just the law.' That is reckless on its face," wrote Schweikert. "If your job is to enforce the law, you do not go on TV and hand out a permission structure for violence, then act surprised when people hear it as a green light. Words matter. Especially when they come from the state’s top lawyer."
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R), who is running for state attorney general, noted, "Mayes should be fully aware of her dangerous rhetoric — and how people will construe, apply, and execute her comments. Mayes' comments were reckless, dangerous, and disqualifying."
The Arizona Police Association also condemned Mayes' remarks, emphasizing that "words from elected officials matter."
APA Executive Director Joe Clure stated that the Democrat's framing was "deeply troubling and dangerous" especially as "law enforcement officers at every level including state, local, and federal agencies do not always wear traditional uniforms" — including members of Mayes' own investigative teams.
"This does not diminish their legal authority or status as law enforcement," said Clure. "Publicly speculating about how someone might legally justify shooting an ICE agent sends a dangerous and irresponsible message, particularly in an already tense and polarized environment."
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the New York Post, "This is [a] direct threat calling for violence against our law enforcement officers — this kind of rhetoric is going to get someone killed."
Blaze News has reached out the Justice Department for comment.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!Trump Has A Real Insurrection On His Hands In Minnesota
What's happening in Minnesota is a real insurrection, far different from the J6 riot, and Trump needs to treat it like one.Trump threatens Insurrection Act after ambushed ICE agent shoots illegal alien: 'Put an end to the travesty'
Despite their vilification by Democrat officials and an 8,000% increase in death threats, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continue in Minneapolis and other dangerous sanctuary jurisdictions to make arrests — 70% of which are reportedly of criminal illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the United States.
When attempting to make one such arrest on Wednesday evening, a federal law enforcement officer was savagely attacked not only by the illegal alien he was pursuing but by a pair of onlookers who apparently felt compelled to frustrate the administration of justice.
'Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence.'
The incident resulted in an apparent defensive shooting, which radicals seized upon as yet another excuse to attack police, engage in wanton destruction, and altogether ramp up what the Department of Justice is now referring to as an "insurrection."
The shooting
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that around 6:50 p.m. local time, federal agents attempted to arrest an illegal alien from Venezuela. The suspect peeled away in his vehicle and fled the scene but ultimately crashed into a parked car.
While the suspect proceeded to take off running, an agent, who has been identified as an ICE officer by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, caught up with the Venezuelan in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North.
When the ICE officer attempted once again to make the arrest, "the subject began to resist and violently assault the officer," said the DHS.
Seeing the two men struggling on the ground, two individuals exited a nearby apartment and allegedly began attacking the officer with a shovel and a broom handle, enabling the illegal alien to break free.
The Venezuelan allegedly proceeded to use one of the two improvised hitting implements to strike the outnumbered officer.
RELATED: Blocking ICE with 'micro-intifada': Good's group taught de-arrest, cop-car chaos before her death
"Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired a defensive shot to defend his life," said the DHS.
The two alleged attackers and the Venezuelan — who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg — reportedly barricaded themselves in the apartment but were ultimately flushed out. The illegal alien and the officer were taken to the hospital, and the two suspected attackers were placed in custody.
Minneapolis police were ultimately joined at the scene by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that a broom and a snow shovel were found at the scene of the struggle and indicated "at least one person may have assaulted federal law enforcement."
The Minneapolis reflex
O'Hara indicated that in the wake of the struggle and shooting, a mob assembled and began "engaging in unlawful acts."
In addition to pelting law enforcement officers with incendiary devices, ice, rocks, and other projectiles, rioters ransacked and vandalized federal vehicles, videos showed.
Mayor Jacob Frey (D) wasted no time in fanning the flames, referring to ICE during a press conference on Wednesday night as an invading force that's supposedly rounding up American citizens.
"I've seen conduct from ICE that is disgusting and is intolerable," said Frey.
After demonizing ICE and championing anti-ICE protests, Frey suggested that radicals "taking the bait" weren't helping.
Gov. Tim Walz (D) also responded with mixed signals, characterizing federal agents as villains and recommending resistance but also suggesting that Minnesotans should remain peaceful.
"You're angry. I’m angry. Angry is not a strong enough word," Walz said in a video address on Wednesday night. "You are not powerless, you are not helpless, and you are certainly not alone. All across Minnesota people are learning about opportunities, not just to resist, but to help people who are in danger."
The Justice Department evidently saw the signal through the noise and accused the two Minnesota Democratic Party leaders of incitement.
"ICE operates in thousands of counties without incident. Men and women doing their jobs, protecting us from criminal aliens," said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. "Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It's disgusting."
"Walz and Frey," continued Blanche. "I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise."
President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to invoke the Insurrection Act "if the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job."
Trump noted that many presidents have utilized the Insurrection Act of 1807 and that it would "quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great state."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Anti-ICE Activists’ Goal Isn’t Stopping Violence — It’s Ending All Immigration Enforcement
You may not like it, but ICE enforcement is democracy in action.
Top Democrats Are Agitating For Insurrection And Political Vigilantism
Democrats seem to think that laws and policies they don’t like can be thwarted by an angry mob or an insurrectionist governor.Why The ‘Seditious Six’ Should Be Prosecuted Swiftly For Urging A Military Rebellion
An actual push to undermine the sitting president's legitimate, constitutional authority and swindle the majority who elected him must be punished.FAKE NEWS: BBC caught splicing Trump’s Jan. 6 speech to make him sound violent
The BBC has been exposed for editing President Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech — deceiving viewers into thinking that the president was cheering on violence.
The network played a clip of Trump that appeared to be him inciting an insurrection, saying, "We're going to walk down to the Capitol, and I’ll be there with you, and we fight. We fight like hell.”
However, Trump didn’t say that at all.
According to a report from GBN News, the “BBC spliced together two clips that took place 54 minutes apart.”
Rather, Trump said, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women,” before saying the second part of what the BBC played.
Tim Davie, director, and Deborah Turness, the chief executive in the news division, have now resigned following the revelation.
“Trump was on to something,” BlazeTV contributor Jeff Fisher tells BlazeTV host Pat Gray on “Pat Gray Unleashed,” referring to Trump calling the BBC “fake news” during a press conference.
“How about that?” Gray asks.
Want more from Pat Gray?
To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
www.theblaze.com
thefederalist.com