Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed Senate Bill 1424, known as the Master Sgt. Orlando Dona Stolen Valor Act, into law. The legislation makes it a criminal offense in Arizona to falsely claim military service or honors for personal or political gain.
The bill, which received bipartisan support in the legislature, takes effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns. With the governor’s signature, Arizona joins a growing number of states adopting “Stolen Valor” laws that aim to protect the integrity of military service and ensure that those who have sacrificed for their country are not disrespected by fraudulent claims.
Under SB 1424, it will be a misdemeanor offense in Arizona to misrepresent oneself as a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces or to claim military awards, medals, or other honors that were never earned—particularly when done to obtain benefits, employment, or political advantage.
The law is named after Master Sergeant Orlando Dona, a highly decorated veteran and advocate for military integrity. Dona and others have pushed for greater accountability in how military service is portrayed, particularly by public figures and candidates seeking office.
The bill specifically targets individuals who exploit military service for tangible or reputational gain, such as campaign credibility, financial advantages, or public recognition. Supporters say the law will help restore trust in veteran communities and honor those who have served honorably.
The issue of “stolen valor” has drawn increasing attention in recent years, as social media and public scrutiny have exposed multiple cases of individuals falsely claiming service, rank, or military decorations. While federal law—under the Stolen Valor Act of 2013—prohibits false claims of military awards for monetary gain, SB 1424 strengthens state-level enforcement and expands the law to cover a broader range of deceptive conduct.
Military families and veterans’ advocates have praised the signing, noting the damage such lies can cause to the credibility and honor of legitimate service members.
The bill has drawn support from across the political spectrum, including lawmakers, veterans’ groups, and watchdog organizations dedicated to exposing fraudulent military claims.
The law is expected to be enforced by local jurisdictions and could involve penalties such as fines or jail time, depending on the severity of the offense.
As Arizona takes a firm stance against misrepresenting military service, advocates hope the measure will deter future abuse and serve as a model for other states still considering similar legislation.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
In a time when confidence in our democratic institutions teeters on the edge, one principle must remain sacred: the sanctity of our elections. Our Republic is only as strong as the faith our citizens place in the ballot box. That’s why the passage of the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) is not only timely—it is essential.
The SAVE Act draws directly from the foundation laid by President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” That order highlighted what every American knows instinctively: fair and secure elections are the bedrock of our constitutional republic. President Trump made it clear that foreign interference, voter fraud, and systemic vulnerabilities are not just possibilities—they are threats we must meet with resolve and action. (RELATED: Stephen Miller Says Democrats Just Dropped ‘One Of The Dumbest Talking Points’ Yet Against SAVE Act)
H.R. 22 codifies into law many of the critical protections championed in that executive order. From requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections, to enhancing voter roll maintenance and mandating transparent election audits, the SAVE Act is a clear response to the growing concerns of voters across the political spectrum. It closes loopholes and modernizes our electoral systems to meet today’s challenges with strength and clarity.
Last Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act with bipartisan support. That vote sent a clear and resounding message to the American people: election integrity is not a partisan issue—it is a national imperative. Now, the responsibility lies squarely with the United States Senate. The time for debate is over. The Senate must act swiftly, pass the SAVE Act, and send it to President Trump’s desk so he can sign it into law.
But passing legislation is only half the battle.
To truly safeguard the integrity of our elections, the SAVE Act must be implemented rigorously at the state level. This isn’t merely a matter of policy—it’s a matter of national security. Every Secretary of State and every election official across the country must treat the integrity of the ballot as the solemn responsibility it is. More importantly, state attorneys general must rise to the occasion and enforce this law with unwavering commitment.
The role of a state attorney general should go beyond consumer protections and civil enforcement. In this era, a top-priority mission must be the preservation of free and fair elections. Attorneys general must be fearless guardians of our electoral process—investigating fraud, holding bad actors accountable, and defending laws like the SAVE Act in court if necessary. Anything less is an abdication of their duty to the Constitution and to the people they serve.
Inaction is not neutrality—it is complicity. And when it comes to our elections, the cost of complacency is nothing less than the erosion of the public trust and the weakening of the very pillars of our Republic.
The SAVE Act offers a rare and critical opportunity to restore that trust. It deserves bipartisan support, full implementation, and vigilant enforcement. The American people are watching. They are demanding transparency, security, and fairness. We owe it to them—and to every generation that will inherit this great nation—to deliver nothing less.
Trey Trainor is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation and currently serves as Chairman of the Federal Election Commission; he was nominated as a Commissioner by President Donald J. Trump and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2020. He is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Legislative and Campaign Law and has practiced election law for over two decades.
Arizona’s prisons are now under investigation by lawmakers following multiple inmate murders in a Tucson prison.
The chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Kevin Payne, announced the investigation Monday into the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) over the recent murders of three inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson: Saul Alvarez, Thorne Harnage, and Donald Lashley. Alvarez was serving time for first degree murder, Harnage was serving time for sexual conduct with a minor, and Lashley was serving time for sexual conduct with a minor and molestation of a child.
Payne said in a statement the murders were “inexcusable and incredibly troubling,” and expressed concern for the safety of prison staff and officers. Payne also extended prayers to the families of the murdered inmates and said ADCRR had “failed” the three men.
“I fear for the lives of the correctional officers and staff who are reporting to duty every day and risking their safety in a facility that has proven it cannot prevent dangerous criminals from inflicting violence,” said Payne. “Director Thornell has some explaining to do, and the more time that passes by before we can determine the missteps that lead to these murders, the longer our law enforcement will be in danger of losing their own lives at the hands of inmates.”
The sole suspect in the murders, Ricky Wassenaar, was one of two men behind the two-week-long prison hostage crisis in 2004 — the longest in the nation’s history. At the time, Wassenaar was serving time for armed robbery and assault. The prison hostage crisis earned Wassenaar 16 life sentences.
Wassenaar previously claimed to prison officials and advocates that he murdered his cellmate, 81-year-old Joseph Desisto, last November. ADCRR ruled the cause of Desisto’s death as “undetermined” but clarified the medical examiner’s report didn’t find traumatic injuries supportive of Wassenaar’s alleged method of murder (strangulation).
Last week, ADCRR announced two other prisoners died from potential homicides while in facilities in Buckeye and Florence, respectively.
Then, last Friday, ADCRR acknowledged the uptick of inmate on inmate violence. ADCRR attributed the violence to its close custody units, including: Eyman’s Running Unit; Lewis’s Buckley, Morey, and Rast units; Tucson’s Cimarron unit; Winslow’s Kaibab unit; and Yuma’s Dakota unit.
These close custody units house the most high-risk prisoners with “histories of institutional violence, significant behavioral problems, [and] long-standing disciplinary issues.” Those categorized as “high-risk” account for about 5,000 of the over 35,000 inmates statewide.
ADCRR rolled out a series of immediate and forthcoming protective measures for staff and inmates, such as restricted movement with indefinite closed visitation. ADCRR assured the public that affected prisoners will still maintain access to showers, phones, mail, tablets, legal visits, mental and physical health appointments, medication, and in-unit work.
ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell condemned the uptick in violence as unacceptable.
“Violence is not, and should never be an acceptable part of incarceration,” said Thornell. “We will not allow continued negative behavior to disrupt our orderly operations or jeopardize the security of our institutions.”
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In what’s has become almost standard practice for President Donald Trump, he issued a post to Truth Social on Monday, effectively splitting his endorsement in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election between leading Republican contenders Congressman Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson.
This announcement to Truth Social makes for Trump’s fifth documented split endorsement, and his second in Arizona. In the 2024 Congressional Election for District 8, the President famously endorsed both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh who would go on to win the seat.
In the post to Truth, President Trump wrote, “I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so.”
Trump explained that his calculus changed when Congressman Andy Biggs tossed his hat into the ring “unexpectedly,” saying, “When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH. Either one will never let you down. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The situation clearly hearkens back to the 2024 GOP Primary race for Congressional District 8 which saw Trump weigh in on a contentious six-way contest. He first endorsed Hamadeh and then endorsed Masters just days prior to the July 30th Primary. His message at the time was even similar:
“We have a very important Republican Primary Election on Tuesday for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, with two spectacular America First Candidates. Blake Masters is a very successful businessman, and an incredibly strong supporter of our Movement to Make America Great Again – He is smart and tough! Likewise, Abe Hamadeh, a Veteran, former prosecutor, and fearless fighter for Election Integrity, has been with me all the way! In Congress, we need a true Warrior who will work tirelessly with us to Grow our Economy, Stop Inflation, Secure our Border, End Migrant Crime, Support our Great Military/Vets, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment – They will both be spectacular, and I’m pleased to announce that both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh have my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Congressman of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District — THEY WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!
Responding to the President’s endorsement, Congressman Biggs took to X to thank him, writing, “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! It’s been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016. I look forward to fighting along side you as Governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation!”
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! It’s been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016.
I look forward to fighting along side you as Governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation! pic.twitter.com/jk2JCnuKQD
Robson responded in a post as well stating, “THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT! Today, @realDonaldTrump reaffirmed what he told me in December when he urged me to run on stage: That he supports me & has fully endorsed my Arizona First campaign. I cannot wait to be on the 9th floor as a partner to his America First agenda. Onward!”
Trump also endorsed both Tiffany Smiley and Jerrod Sessler in Washington’s 4th Congressional District in 2024 in which Sessler took the primary and lost in the General Election. As reported by Politico, he also appeared to endorse both Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens in the 2022 Missouri Senate Primary. He was also interpreted as endorsing both Josh Mandel and now-Vice President J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate race the same year, which Vance went on to win.
The Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) is strained by infighting, with party leadership and top elected Democrats at odds.
ADP Chairman Robert Branscomb issued a tell-all email over the weekend revealing the politics within the party. Branscomb’s email — styled as “a candidate update on the past 90 days” — focused primarily on accusing his predecessor of undermining him and both U.S. Senators of threatening him over his decision making.
Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego supported Branscomb’s opponent for the chairmanship, Yolanda Bejarano — as did Governor Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Branscomb accused the party’s former executive director, Morgan Dick, of resistance and “outright obstruction” during the transition. Branscomb alleged false accusations were made against him in staff chats; banking information was withheld; the state party workspace was emptied of computers, furniture, and transitional documents; and staff were encouraged to resign. For those reasons, Branscomb said, he let Dick go and replaced her with political director Michael Ruff. Dick denied Branscomb’s allegations.
Following Dick’s removal, Branscomb alleged Senator Kelly attempted to control his staffing decisions. Then, following Ruff’s appointment, Branscomb alleged both senators threatened to withdraw their support for the party.
“Let me be clear: no state party chair should be threatened or intimidated by any elected official for making a decision in the best interest of our party,” said Branscomb. “The idea that both Arizona Senators would withdraw support because I did not choose their preferred candidate is not only troubling — it’s a threat to the integrity and independence of our party. I will not be coerced, and I will not be silenced.”
Kelly, Gallego, Hobbs, Fontes, and Mayes issued a joint response disputing Branscomb’s claims. The state’s top Democratic elected officials vowed they had met with Branscomb regularly and supported him through the transition. However, they didn’t express surprise at the publication of Branscomb’s letter.
“We’ve spent the last several months meeting regularly with the chair and working to support the party through the transition,” read the statement. “Unfortunately, his statement today includes many false claims and is the kind of bad-faith response we’ve come to expect from the new leadership over the last several weeks.”
Following the Saturday letter from the ADP chair, LD22 Democrats experienced a more localized form of infighting at their Monday meeting. The Arizona Republic’s Mary Jo Pitzl reported precinct committee members had attempted unsuccessfully to remove their district’s entire board, specifically citing displeasure with newly elected district chair Leezah Sun.
Sun couldn’t attend the LD22 Democrats meeting in person due to an active restraining order against her. Sun earned the restraining order following workplace harassment complaints filed by city of Tolleson employees; a Maricopa County Superior Court judge found Sun to be a threat to the employees’ physical safety and barred her from contacting the employees or entering the Tolleson Civic Center.
Sun was formerly a lawmaker in the state legislature. Sun resigned from the House last February to avoid expulsion after the House Ethics Committee found she violated ethics rules with a pattern of disorderly behavior. Undeterred by effectively having been ousted from the legislature, Sun ran for and won a seat on the Tolleson Union High School District governing board. The board also elected her to be their president.
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