by Daniel Stefanski | Sep 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Another potential attempt on former President Donald J. Trump’s life was met with outrage from Arizona Republicans.
On Sunday, the world received shocking news when reports hit the airwaves that gunshots had been fired at one of President Trump’s golf courses in Florida. As more details emerged, it became clear that President Trump may have escaped another assassination attempt from an individual who appeared to be hiding in wait on the outskirts of the property for the former American Commander in Chief to come into his view. A Secret Service advance agent observed this gunman’s weapon, and shots were fired in the alleged attempted assassin’s direction. The individual escaped and was later apprehended by Florida law enforcement soon after the interaction on the golf course.
President Trump was unharmed. He later issued a statement with his thoughts on the second attempt on his life in the past few months, writing, “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – it was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Many Arizona Republicans expressed their feelings about the incident on their social media platforms.
Senate President Warren Petersen said, “2nd assassination attempt of Trump! Unbelievable. Thank heaven he is ok. Suspect in custody.”
The Republican Party of Arizona posted, “The AZGOP thanks God for the safety of President Trump and we are grateful that law enforcement spotted the assailant before anyone was hurt. We stand with President Trump and President Trump will never surrender this country and he will never abandon the American people.”
AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda added, “We call for an IMMEDIATE increase in security to provide President Trump with the level of resources received by a sitting President. The chaos must be brought to an end, and we must ensure our leaders can serve without coming to harm.”
State Representative Leo Biasiucci stated, “This is getting Fing ridiculous. Give the man full protection, I don’t care if the GOP has to help pay for it. It’s obvious he is not being given adequate protection.”
Justin Heap, a first-term state legislator and current Republican nominee for Maricopa County Recorder, wrote, “May God bless and protect Donald Trump. He is safe after a second assassination attempt on his life. Some things transcend political parties. Attempted assassinations are clearly one of them. Let’s come together to loudly condemn this kind of political violence.”
Senator Janae Shamp said, “May God continue to keep the truest man of The People in His protective white light as he leads the fight to save the only Nation created in His name. Amen.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 17, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Reformed Democrats Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard pumped up the pro-Trump crowd at Arizona Christian University in Glendale on Saturday, railing against the hyperbolically left Democratic National Committee as having become the “party of war,” “the party of censorship.”
According to the New York Post, former Presidential candidate RFK, Jr., told the rapt audience, “Today it’s become the party of war, it’s become the party of surveillance, it’s become the party of censorship.” He added, “It’s no longer the party that I recognized.”
The event, entitled “Team Trump’s Reclaim America Tour,” was attended by approximately 600 people as reported by AZ Central, with more turned away at the door due to the size of the more intimate venue. The discussion was moderated by independent journalist Jessica Reed Kraus.
Kennedy’s showstopper moment came while explaining the withdrawal of his candidacy for President saying, “The reason I terminated my campaign is because it became clear to me my remaining in this campaign was going to bring to power a candidate who I believe will be easily manipulated by the deep state, by the national security state, by the intelligence agencies, to keep us in a state of continual war and seal the destruction of the United States of America.”
Gabbard echoed Kennedy’s sentiment, the outlet reported, noting that the Harris campaign would see America mired in “continual war,” citing the endorsement of anti-Trump GOP former Vice President Dick Cheney.
She referred to the Democratic Party as an “elite cabal,” and “warmongers,” asking, “How could I […] align with a party that stands for tyranny and war?”
The former Congresswoman cited efforts by the left to target both Kennedy and President Trump via “systematic weaponization of government.”
Gabbard countered, “We the people are far more powerful than them, which is why they are trying to destroy us, but we the people will not let them do that.”
As noted by the Post, Gabbard made a clear distinction between her and Kennedy’s message and the hyperpartisanship of the election at large. She told attendees the goal of their tour is to “point out the truth that this is not about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about our country.’
“This is about we the people standing up for freedom. This is about we the people standing up for peace.”
When asked about the pair’s future in the Trump campaign, Gabbard quipped, “Well I think Bobby and I are going to be on the road for the next 51 days,” and explained that despite her name not being on the ballot, as most politicians are who say it, “this is the most important election of our lives.” Wistfully noting that the waves in her home state of Hawaii “are really good right now,” she emphasized that the next 51 days will be filled with “conversations like this.”
Kennedy, answering the same, said his next trip home wouldn’t be for three weeks.
Brian Hughes, a senior Trump campaign advisor said in a statement released in late August that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard have been added to the Trump/Vance Transition team. He wrote, “As President Trump’s broad coalition of supporters and endorsers expands across partisan lines, we are proud that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard have been added to the Trump/Vance Transition team.” What roles the two will play in the second Trump administration remain unclear.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 16, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A new law, H.R. 3269, the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, has passed the House Committee on Ways & Means and will move to the full floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed legislation would reform federal firearms laws to “account for advancements in de-escalation and less-than-lethal instruments, ensuring the continued innovation of lifesaving devices,” according to a press release from Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ).
Under the existing laws, less-than-lethal weapons such as the TASER are legally considered “firearms” under federal regulation and the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET). Title 18 of the U.S. Code applies the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax, and the National Firearms Act also imposes an additional excise tax on “sales by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of certain firearms and ammunition,” potentially stifling adoption of the less-than-lethal devices by agencies and the public alike.
In the press release, Schweikert said, “Imagine a society where law enforcement is able to effectively protect our communities, without any lives being lost. Aligning the tax code to meet the needs of our law enforcement officers and communities offers Congress the opportunity to reduce the chance of the use of deadly force and the unnecessary loss of life. Our ability to keep pushing forward to a world where such technology is available and robust has inspired this moral fix in hopes to solve part of the bigger societal issue, and I promise to continue advocating for this bill until it is signed into law.”
The new bill would define a “less-than-lethal projectile device” as a “device with a bore or multiple bores, that—‘‘(A) is not designed or intended to expel a projectile at a velocity exceeding 500 feet per second by any means; and (B) is designed or intended to be used in a manner that is not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.’’
Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) observed, “We need many different tools to keep the peace and protect our communities. Unfortunately, inconsistencies in our laws and tax code have resulted in critical and innovative less-than-lethal devices such as tasers being taxed as firearms, making it costly and difficult to meet safety needs. The Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, sponsored by Reps. Schweikert and Stanton, will harmonize our tax code to ensure less-than-lethal technology is readily available and that our communities can keep pace with future innovations.”
In a post to X in April, The International Union Of Police Associations endorsed the bill writing, “The I.U.P.A. vigorously advocates for law enforcement professionals on a national level by supporting legislation that serves their interests. One recent example is H.R. 3269, the ‘Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act’.”
The bill was introduced by Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and co-sponsored by Congressmen Andy Biggs (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) along with forty-three other Republicans and seventeen Democrats making it a truly bipartisan piece of legislation.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly referrred to Rep. Greg Stanton as a Republican. Rep. Greg Stanton is a Democrat. The story has been corrected.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Sep 16, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Maricopa County political races are essentially in a dead heat with less than two months until Election Day.
Earlier this month, Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) released its survey on Maricopa County races, showing Republicans and Democrats locked in a tight battle for all races.
According to NPI, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s race was tied with Republican Jerry Sheridan and Democrat Tyler Kamp tied at thirty-five percent each, with twenty-four percent undecided. Kamp has a twelve percent lead with independents, with thirty-six percent of that voting share undecided.
Incumbent Republican Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell leads Democrat Tamika Wooten by two percent (37-35%), with twenty-one percent undecided. Wooten has a ten percent lead with independents, with twenty-nine percent of that voting share undecided.
Democrat Gregory Freeman might be the frontrunner in the Maricopa County Assessor’s race, with a three-point advantage over incumbent Republican Eddie Cook (36-33%). There is twenty-six percent undecided in this race. Freeman holds a fifteen-point lead over Cook with independents, with forty percent undecided.
And in the Maricopa County Recorder’s contest, Democrat Tim Stringham leads Republican Justin Heap by four percent (38-34%), with twenty-two percent undecided. Stringham enjoys a fifteen percent lead over Heap with independents, with thirty-five percent of that voting share undecided.
“These races are incredibly close. In each one, the leading candidate is ahead by a low single-digit margin. With a high number of undecideds and more than two months between fielding this poll and Election Day – this poll just doesn’t point to a clear winner,” said Mike Noble, NPI President & CEO. “But historical data might tell us more.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Sep 16, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A growing number of Arizona pastors are joining together to stand in opposition to a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to allow abortion on demand.
This month, Pastor Eric Jones of Evident Life Church in Gilbert, announced that there were almost 700 faith leaders who signed the Declaration of Arizona Pastors in Defense of Voiceless Children and Vulnerable Women.
In July, Jones wrote, “Last August, after hearing about the horrific ‘Arizona Abortion Access Act’ (now called Prop 139) which would legalize abortion for all nine months, I felt the Lord calling me to do something. This declaration and the growing coalition of Arizona pastors is the result.”
The Declaration reads as follows:
“To save the lives of innocent children, to protect the health of women, to help people avoid a terrible regret, and to show love to our neighbors, we, as Christian pastors in Arizona, declare the following:
- Whereas every human life is valuable because every human life, born and pre-born, is wonderfully made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-14).
- Whereas abortion is the ending of an innocent human life, and results in danger and hurt towards women (Exodus 21:22-25; Genesis 9:6).
- Whereas the church is here to compassionately serve and support vulnerable women (1 John 3:18, Psalm 82:3-4).
- Whereas abortion is not a political issue, but a biblical and moral one (Mark 12:17).
- Whereas effort is underway to change the Arizona Constitution to allow children to be aborted during all nine months of development in the womb.
The undersigned Arizona pastors urge every person to refuse to provide a signature to put the ‘Arizona Abortion Access Act’ (Prop 139) on the ballot and should also vote against the Act, or any similar measure, if it appears on the ballot (Proverbs 6:16-17, Ephesians 5:11).”
According to the Declaration’s website, the purpose of this document and statewide effort is “designed to unify Arizona Christian pastors around the sanctity of human life while providing a clear voice against the proposed ‘Arizona Abortion Access Act’ (Prop 139).” The website shares that, per an analysis from an attorney, “the amendment is written so broadly that it allows unlimited abortion up to birth, removes most safety standards, eliminates the required qualified medical doctor, gives broad leeway to who can provide abortions, shuts out moms and dads when their minor daughter needs them most, shields sex offenders who force their victims to get abortions to cover their crimes, opens the door to taxpayer funded abortions, [and] threatens conscience protections for healthcare workers.”
Arizona voters will get an opportunity to decide the fate of the Abortion Access Act in November’s General Election.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Sep 15, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) is demanding an investigation into an alleged misuse of taxpayer funds by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.
AFEC published a press release on Tuesday accusing Fontes of misusing taxpayer funds by filing a “politically motivated” brief in the ongoing Arizona Supreme Court case, Smith v. Fontes. The organization also requested that Fontes recuse himself from all ballot tabulation procedures concerning the other initiatives.
“By filing his brief at the Arizona Supreme Court, Fontes unequivocally signaled his position that 40,000 duplicate signatures should be ignored and counted in favor of passing Proposition 140,” said AFEC in its press release. “In short, to Fontes, the ends justify the means to ensure that Arizona’s elections system can be operated like California’s radical system.”
AFEC and other critics compare the components within Proposition 140 to current election procedures exercised by California.
Proposition 140 seeks to remove the partisan split in primary voting — instead implementing open, or “jungle,” primaries — and determine winners using ranked-choice voting. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank their preferred candidates each election until one candidate accrues over 50 percent of the vote.
That claim of political motivation stems from Fontes’ role as a “team member” for the nonprofit organization (Save Democracy) supporting the political action committee (Make Elections Fair Arizona) pushing Proposition 140. Those two entities are also united by the involvement of Sarah Smallhouse as their president and treasurer, respectively: a longtime Democrat donor from Tucson who served as leadership for a University of Arizona board and the Southern Arizona Leadership Council.
Fontes’ brief petitioned the court to count any votes cast for Proposition 140, even if the ongoing review of the ballot-qualifying signatures determined that there weren’t enough signatures gathered. Fontes argued that the proposition should be considered valid since the ballots were already being printed with the contested proposition on them.
“Once the ballots have gone to print, it is in the hands of Arizona’s voters,” said Fontes. “The person contesting an issue (or candidate) can make a case to the voters, but the Courts cannot usurp the voters’ decision once it goes to them.”
AFEC sued to stop Proposition 140 earlier this summer after reportedly discovering that over half of the gathered signatures were in violation of state law — around 40,000 duplicates. Should all those alleged duplicate signatures be removed, the proposition would lack the number of signatures required to qualify for the ballot.
AFEC President Scot Mussi said in a statement that Fontes’ brief amounted to the secretary of state taking a side in a ballot measure rather than maintaining an impartial role in the elections process.
“Far from acting as a fair and impartial elections chief, Fontes has officially taken a side in a controversial measure that would be potentially on the ballot, showing Arizonans that he is using taxpayer dollars to make the case for a California-style amendment that would fundamentally transform the way we vote and select our candidates for public office,” said Mussi. “This is not saving democracy; this is trampling the will of the people and the laws that govern how elections should be executed.”
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