by Abraham Hamadeh | Jun 27, 2026 | Opinion
By Congressman Abe Hamadeh |
The government’s first responsibility is to protect its citizens. Public safety is the foundation of every successful society; without it, all else becomes secondary.
Families cannot thrive if they fear for their safety. Businesses cannot grow if crime and disorder dominate communities. Places of worship cannot serve their congregations if worshippers worry about violence. Schools cannot educate effectively if students and teachers feel unsafe.
Unfortunately, America has witnessed an alarming rise in political violence, intimidation, and threats in recent years. What was once considered beyond the pale has become increasingly common. Americans are growing accustomed to hearing about attacks on elected officials, threats against judges, vandalism targeting political opponents, violence directed at law enforcement officers, and harassment aimed at individuals simply because of their political beliefs.
This trend should concern every American, regardless of party affiliation. Political violence has no place in a constitutional republic.
The strength of the United States has always been rooted in our ability to settle disagreements through debate, elections, and the rule of law. Americans have never agreed on everything. Our nation’s history is filled with fierce political disagreements. Yet our system has endured because we recognized that ballots, not bullets, determine the future of our country.
There can be no double standards when it comes to condemning violence. Whether the victim is a Republican, Democrat, Independent, law enforcement officer, journalist, religious leader, or private citizen, violence must be rejected unequivocally. Too often, political actors excuse misconduct when it is committed by individuals they view as allies. That mindset only fuels further division and instability.
Americans deserve better. The overwhelming majority of citizens simply want safe communities where they can raise their families, operate businesses, attend school, practice their faith, and participate in civic life without fear. These are not extraordinary demands; they are basic expectations in a free and civilized society.
Law and order are fundamental values to me, not matters of controversy. Supporting law enforcement is a personal conviction, which is why I am proud to stand with our men and women on the thin blue line.
Yet in recent years, we have seen efforts to undermine respect for law enforcement, excuse criminal behavior, and politicize public safety. While constructive discussions about improving institutions are important, we must never lose sight of the indispensable role that police officers, deputies, federal agents, and first responders play in protecting our communities.
Every day, men and women in uniform put themselves in harm’s way to keep Americans safe. They deserve our gratitude, respect, and support.
At the federal level, we must continue providing law enforcement agencies with the resources necessary to combat violent crime, secure our borders, disrupt criminal organizations, and prevent acts of domestic and international terrorism. We must also ensure that prosecutors aggressively pursue those who commit violent offenses and that the justice system holds offenders accountable.
As Americans, we are blessed to live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. Our freedoms, opportunities, and constitutional system are the envy of countless people around the globe. But those blessings cannot be taken for granted.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we should recommit ourselves to the principles that have sustained America for nearly two and a half centuries: respect for the Constitution, respect for the rule of law, respect for one another, and an unwavering commitment to peaceful civic engagement.
Political disagreements will always exist. That is part of democracy; violence is not.
The American people deserve safe streets, secure communities, and confidence that their government will protect them. Public safety is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue; it is an American issue, and it is time for all of us to treat it as an America First issue.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.
by Abraham Hamadeh | Jun 24, 2025 | Opinion
By Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) |
Our Republic depends on the integrity of every ballot and the trust the American people place in the electoral system. That trust is on the line, and I am here to continue sounding the alarm.
After reviewing credible, disturbing reports regarding Runbeck Election Services and Maricopa County’s handling of ballots during the 2024 General Election, I have formally called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a federal investigation into whether basic election protocols were violated.
This is not partisan theater. The allegations are signs of possible systemic failures or a complete disregard for the chain of custody that protects every legal vote.
As a former prosecutor and Army Reserve intelligence officer, I do not jump to conclusions. I review the facts at hand, and I believe in due process and evidence.
But I also believe that when red flags are waving this high and wide, public servants have a duty to act.
During my time representing the people of Arizona, I have seen firsthand how trust in our elections has declined. In 2022, polling showed that more than half of Arizona voters doubted whether the official vote count reflected all legal votes. That level of public distrust is toxic to a functioning democracy, and it cannot be ignored.
Election security is national security.
In both 2020 and 2022, Arizona faced scrutiny from all sides. We endured hand counts, audits, lawsuits, and national attention. The public was told repeatedly that every vote was counted, every procedure followed. However, if the most basic rules surrounding ballot security were violated, then those assurances are meaningless.
The American people deserve to know the truth.
That is why I am asking the Justice Department to determine whether Runbeck provided a secure environment for ballot printing, transportation, and storage.
If all procedures were followed correctly, then all involved should welcome a federal investigation and seek to reaffirm public confidence. If those procedures were ignored or manipulated, then we need immediate corrective action and full accountability. A transparent process benefits everyone, regardless of political party.
Reports have indicated that there was no meaningful safeguards or oversight in place at all times. That is not just bad optics. That is a recipe for disaster. Even the appearance of impropriety damages voter confidence and invites division across the country.
As a representative for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, I take my oath to protect our Constitution seriously. That includes the right of every American to participate in a fair election. When systems break down or appear compromised, it is not enough to hope for the best. We must act to investigate, fix them, and restore faith in the system.
Some critics will try to paint this investigation as just another political stunt. They will try to lump it in with previous election disputes to dismiss it out of hand. But that misses the point entirely. This request is not being driven by partisanship. It is being driven by facts, by public concern, and by a genuine desire to strengthen our democratic institutions.
We are not repeating past fights. We are demanding answers in the present. We are relying on the lawful, nonpartisan authority of the Justice Department to get to the bottom of this. We are asking for transparency, not a political advantage.
So, what does this mean for the people of Arizona? It means you are not being ignored. Your concerns about the integrity of our elections are being taken seriously. Your right to have your voice heard is being defended.
To the American people watching this unfold, know this: we are not looking to undermine democracy. We are looking to restore and strengthen it.
We are not interested in sowing chaos. We are committed to restoring order and confidence. Because when trust in elections breaks down, the entire system begins to fracture.
I will keep pushing for this investigation until the necessary action is taken. I will not back down from the responsibility to represent the people of Arizona with clarity, courage, and conviction. Our elections are too important to be left in doubt. Let’s fix this now before it is too late.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.
by Abraham Hamadeh | Mar 20, 2023 | Opinion
By Abraham Hamadeh |
There have been multiple times where provisional ballots were initially deemed illegal by the government but later counted as legal after election challenges.
One example of this occurred during the 2000 presidential election, when thousands of provisional ballots in Florida were initially deemed invalid because they were cast by voters who were not on the official voter rolls. However, after legal challenges and court orders, these provisional ballots were ultimately counted.
In 2019, election officials in Georgia were found to have improperly removed thousands of voters from the rolls, including some who had not actually moved and were still eligible to vote at their registered address. However, a judge ordered that these ballots be counted. Similarly, in 2018, election officials in Florida were found to have mistakenly removed thousands of voters from the rolls due to a data error.
My team has discovered that many Arizonans were wrongfully disenfranchised, due to system or process error. Prior to running for Attorney General, I served as a prosecutor at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and overseas with the U.S. Army Reserve. I swore an oath to uphold the laws and defend the Constitution. My commitment to fight is instilled in my values, and I will continue to seek justice and accountability for those who were wrongfully disenfranchised.
In the closest race in Arizona history with a margin of 280 votes out of 2.5 million there remains thousands of uncounted Election Day provisional ballots. Not only is this the closest race in Arizona history, but it is also the race with the biggest recount discrepancy in statewide history. Making sure the legitimate candidate who received the most votes won is paramount for the success of democracy.
The courts are the proper venue for these ballot disputes, not the corporate media or political consultants who act as spokesmen and propaganda for the government. I will continue to fight relentlessly to make sure the will of the people is honored and that all lawful votes are counted.
Abraham Hamadeh is the Republican nominee for Arizona Attorney General. You can follow him on Twitter here.
