Hobbs Breaks With Mayes Over ‘Stand Your Ground’ Remarks as GOP Pushes for Retraction, Resignation

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs publicly distanced herself from Attorney General Kris Mayes following Mayes’ recent comments about Arizona’s self-defense laws and potential confrontations with federal agents, calling the remarks “inappropriate” and saying they should be retracted. Hobbs’ statement came as Republican lawmakers advanced a resolution urging Mayes’ resignation.

The dispute began after Mayes spoke with reporters about Arizona’s expanded self-defense protections, often described as “stand your ground” laws, and the risk of confusion when masked federal agents conduct operations, as previously reported by California Globe. In a televised interview with 12News, Mayes said Arizona’s self-defense statute could create a “recipe for disaster” if armed, masked federal immigration officers were mistaken for criminal actors by residents. She did not explicitly encourage violence, according to Axios, but raised concerns about identification and legal defenses under state law. 

🚨🇺🇸 ARIZONA AG SUGGESTS STAND YOUR GROUND LAW COULD JUSTIFY SHOOTING MASKED ICE AGENTS

This is an elected official.

AG Kris Mayes floated that Arizona's Stand Your Ground law could allow lethal force against masked federal agents if residents "reasonably fear danger."

"Real… pic.twitter.com/MkZxV4Lkt9

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 24, 2026

Mayes reiterated similar concerns during a separate appearance on KTAR’s “Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos,” as reported by ABC15, warning that aggressive federal enforcement tactics could escalate dangerous misunderstandings. 

Republican Backlash and Senate Resolution

Mayes’ remarks drew sharp criticism from Arizona Republicans and some law enforcement officials, who argued her comments could put officers at risk by suggesting that civilians might lawfully shoot federal agents. 

On Jan. 30, 2026, the Arizona Senate passed Senate Resolution 1036 (SR 1036) along party lines. The non-binding resolution urges Mayes to publicly retract her comments, clarify Arizona law, express unequivocal support for all law enforcement officers — including federal immigration agents — and resign as attorney general. Republican lawmakers such as Senate President Warren Petersen and Sen. Jake Hoffman criticized Mayes’ interpretation of self-defense statutes, saying her remarks could encourage shootings of officers executing legal actions. Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh stated he did not believe Mayes intended harm but argued her explanation of the law could lead to dangerous outcomes. 

Mayes’ Response and Clarification

As the controversy mounted, Mayes issued a video statement and a press release through the Arizona Attorney General’s Office on Jan. 25, 2026, insisting that her earlier comments had been mischaracterized by some media outlets and emphasizing that she did not want any law enforcement officers harmed. “The idea that I would want the life of any member of law enforcement put in danger is wrong, offensive, and an outright lie,” Mayes said, adding she wanted to avoid danger to law enforcement in Arizona. 

In the same release, Mayes referenced federal immigration enforcement and the fatal shootings of two Americans by federal agents in Minneapolis in January, arguing that conduct by federal agencies was eroding public trust and creating risks for local officers. 

Following the release, Mayes’ office also launched a public reporting portal for alleged federal immigration agent misconduct. Local coverage from FOX10 Phoenix and KJZZ noted the portal and Mayes’ continued criticism of federal operations. 

Hobbs’ Statement and Break With Party Members

Speaking with reporters at an event on Thursday, Governor Hobbs said Mayes’ comments were “inappropriate” and that she should retract them. Hobbs told the reporters that elected officials bear responsibility to “turn down the temperature” and avoid language that could be seen as encouraging violence, according to The Arizona Republic. 

In full, the governor said, “I think her comments were inappropriate, and she should retract them.”

“It is the responsibility of every elected official to turn down the temperature and do everything we can to be very careful with our language about ramping up the potential for violence. We are seeing across the country people’s fear increasing, the potential for violence increasing, and law enforcement officers have a really, really hard and dangerous job, and we have to do everything we can to make sure that job is as safe as possible.”

When asked why Mayes should retract the statement, Hobbs refused to “defend” or “litigate” them, adding that extensive clarification efforts by Mayes suggested the original remarks “didn’t hit the mark” and caused confusion rather than clarity about Arizona law. 

NEW VIDEO 🚨@KatieHobbs slams fellow Democrat @KrisMayes for "inappropriate" comments about ICE officers that could "ramp up the potential for violence"

Watch the full exchange here: https://t.co/Txi57HRhcuhttps://t.co/oXpPrPcliY pic.twitter.com/yQcluP0LBh

— Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) January 29, 2026

In response to Hobbs’ criticism, Mayes’ office issued statements to local outlets asserting that she “obviously does not believe it’s legal to shoot a peace officer,” with spokesperson Richie Taylor adding, “The actions of Donald Trump’s federal agents are endangering public safety and putting local and state law enforcement and the public in danger. And that is what should concern the Governor.”

Attorney General Mayes faces a challenging reelection in November 2026 and has been vocal in her criticism of federal immigration policies and enforcement practices, as reported by Fox News.

Hobbs is likewise facing strong Republican opposition to her reelection in 2026, and the public disagreement between the two top Democratic officials in Arizona underscores major, ongoing intra-party tensions over law enforcement, federal immigration operations, and public safety policy.