A critical resignation has shaken the Arizona Attorney General’s office. David Harvey, the top police liaison for Attorney General Kris Mayes, abruptly stepped down from his position just days after Mayes made deeply controversial statements regarding federal law enforcement.
The catalyst was a televised interview where Mayes openly discussed the potential for armed conflict between Arizona citizens and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Her remarks centered on the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law and the difficulty of identifying undercover or plainly-clothed agents.
During the interview, Mayes speculated that residents could be legally justified in using force against ICE agents if their law enforcement status wasn’t immediately clear. She framed the situation as a “recipe for disaster,” highlighting the potential for misidentification and escalating violence.
When directly challenged on whether she was essentially authorizing citizens to shoot officers, Mayes deflected, emphasizing the question of positive identification. She repeatedly questioned how individuals could definitively determine if someone was a legitimate peace officer.
Mayes also leveled accusations against ICE, alleging a pattern of “thuggish, brutish behavior” and specifically claiming the agency was unfairly targeting Arizona’s tribal Indian population. She cited an instance of a Navajo man allegedly detained based solely on his race.
The interview extended beyond ICE operations, venturing into concerns about the 2026 elections. Mayes expressed plans to resist any increased federal presence around election time and raised unsubstantiated claims about potential attempts to seize voting equipment.
She went further, alluding to conspiracy theories surrounding former President Trump and alleged plans to cancel midterm elections. Mayes issued a firm warning, stating her office would take any possible action to prevent the removal of materials from polling places.
The Attorney General’s office has remained tight-lipped regarding the connection between Harvey’s resignation and the controversy surrounding Mayes’ statements. A spokesperson declined to comment on whether the two events were linked, leaving the circumstances of the departure shrouded in uncertainty.
