Arizona’s elected leaders reacted along a partisan divide to the U.S. attack to liberate Iran from the Islamic regime.
Arizona’s Republican congressional officials have signaled support for President Donald Trump’s decision to launch a joint military operation against Iran, and called for an end to the partial government shutdown to ensure full funding for this military venture.
Arizona’s Democratic officials oppose the attack. They are looking to compel a vote on the War Powers Resolution, though all conceded their opposition to the continued existence of the Iranian regime.
Early Saturday morning, the U.S. and Israel attacked over a dozen areas across Iran, at least, including the capital Tehran. The attacks resulted from Iran’s failures to meet nuclear negotiations. Iran retaliated with missile strikes without success.
Key fatalities include several senior Iranian officials. The fate of Iran’s longtime supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remains disputed as of this report. A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry claimed Khamenei was alive. However, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday afternoon that Khamenei was dead.
“[Khamenei] was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” said Trump.
Trump said the bombings would continue until peace was achieved in the Middle East.
Trump urged Iranians to conduct a regime change in an address shared to social media early Saturday morning. Trump said the U.S. attacked Iran to eliminate threats to the American regime.
“I say tonight that the hour of freedom is at hand,” said Trump. “When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years you have asked for America’s help but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight.”
To the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, armed forces, and police, Trump advised them to cease their resistance.
“Lay down your arms and you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” said Trump.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) called on Democrats in Congress to end the partial government shutdown in order to provide full funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, it is critical that @DHSgov be fully funded and all services operational.
It's time for Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, and the rest of the Schumer Democrats to end their obstruction and join Congressional Republicans in keeping…
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) February 28, 2026
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) said Iran chose this escalation, not the U.S.
“Today’s action by President Trump sends a clear message: the Iranian regime’s aggression and destabilizing threats will not go unanswered,” said Ciscomani. “For decades, the Iranian regime has funded terror, attacked our allies, and threatened American servicemembers.”
Today’s action by President Trump sends a clear message: the Iranian regime’s aggression and destabilizing threats will not go unanswered. For decades, the Iranian regime has funded terror, attacked our allies, and threatened American servicemembers. President Trump and his…
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ03) expressed reluctance to recognize Trump’s authority to launch a war without congressional authorization. Ansari’s parents came to the U.S. as Iranian refugees of the Islamic regime.
“Consistent with my previous votes, public statements, and the consensus in my district, I believe no president — Republican or Democrat — has the authority to launch military strikes of this magnitude without Congressional approval,” said Ansari. “I want a free Iran and a future of democracy and dignity for the Iranian people. Those goals must be part of a coherent strategy that does not risk chaos or another endless war in the Middle East and require seriousness and leadership equal to the stakes.”
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ04) said none would mourn the collapse of the Islamic Republic, but that Trump was wrong for launching such an attack.
“[T]he United States cannot be dragged into another open-ended foreign war. Americans know the cost of conflicts with no clear strategy, no defined objectives, and no end in sight, and they do not want to repeat those mistakes,” said Stanton.
My thoughts are with all U.S. service members and personnel in harm’s way, and I pray they return home safely.
The Iranian regime has murdered Americans, violently repressed its own people, and fueled instability across the region. No one will mourn its collapse.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ07) accused Trump of entering the U.S. into another “forever war,” characterizing this latest attack as both reckless and needless.
“Taking the United States into a major military conflict without debate or the consent of the people’s representatives is a clear violation of Congress’s constitutional war powers,” said Grijalva.
Trump’s attacks on Iran are completely reckless, blatantly unconstitutional, and needlessly put our troops and innocent civilians in harm’s way.
Taking the United States into a major military conflict without debate or the consent of the people’s representatives is a clear…
Sen. Ruben Gallego claimed there was another pathway for the U.S. supporting Iranian regime change without going to war.
“Young working-class kids should not pay the ultimate price for regime change and a war that hasn’t been explained or justified to the American people,” said Gallego. “Strikes are underway and Congress hasn’t voted. No President gets to drag working-class Americans into another war without authorization.”
Tim is right. Strikes are underway and Congress hasn’t voted. No President gets to drag working-class Americans into another war without authorization. Bring the Senate back. Take the vote. https://t.co/mwzaFwNwoF
Sen. Mark Kelly, like Grijalva, questioned Trump’s promise of keeping the U.S. out of war.
“The Iranian people deserve freedom. They deserve the right to choose their own leaders. So, what’s the plan for what comes next?” said Kelly. “I don’t think Donald Trump knows the answer, and that’s dangerous when American lives are on the line.”
After promising to keep America out of war and instead focus on lowering costs for families, Donald Trump has launched a large-scale military operation against Iran.
We’ve seen this playbook before. Weeks of inflated claims, selective facts, and talk of imminent threats that led…
While Democratic elected officials invited illegal aliens to the State of the Union (SOU) on Tuesday, Republicans invited Americans victimized by illegal aliens.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified the public on social media that certain elected representatives were planning to bring illegal aliens as their guests.
“Democrats are once again prioritizing illegal aliens above the safety of American citizens,” stated DHS.
Sen. John Hickenlooper invited Caroline Dias Goncalves, an illegal alien brought illegally into the country as a child now residing on an expired visa; Rep. Seth Moulton invited Marcelo Gomes da Silva, another illegal alien brought illegally into the country as a child and residing on an expired visa; and Sen. Chuck Schumer brought the mother of a detained illegal alien, Dylan Josue Lopez Contreras.
We are not the same.
While Republicans are bringing victims of crimes committed by illegal criminal aliens to the State of the Union, some Democrats in Congress are planning to bring ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Democrats are once again prioritizing illegal aliens above the safety of… https://t.co/ikRZ0Vy5ZX
Ahead of the SOU, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) held a press conference addressing the consequences of softened immigration policies.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh opened the press conference to discuss his American Border Story Memorial Act (H.R. 6643), to establish a memorial in D.C. for victims of illegal alien crime.
“It seems like we’re forgetting about the people who have been victimized by illegal alien crime, and instead focusing on what the leftist media wants to focus on the news of the day,” said Hamadeh.
Also present was the American Border Story, which advocates for angel families: those who lost loved ones to crimes committed by illegal aliens. Nicole Kiprilov, executive director, supported Hamadeh’s bill to establish the memorial.
“We will never stop fighting until there isn’t a single family who doesn’t have to endure this devastating loss, ever again,” said Kipperlove.
🚨 LIVE NOW: RSC Press Conference – The Real Cost of Democrat Policies https://t.co/MbxJAS9uG5
Among those angel moms who spoke were Alaska resident Sandy Snodgrass, who lost her son Robert Bruce Snodgrass to fentanyl in 2021; California resident Agnes Gibboney, who lost her son Ronald de Silva to a shooting from a known illegal alien gang member in 2002; and Missouri resident Boni Driskill, who lost her daughter Lacy Marie Ferguson to a drive-by shooting committed by illegal aliens in 2003.
On Monday, President Donald Trump designated Feb. 22 as “Angel Family Day.” In attendance as guests of honor were families of those slain by illegal aliens.
“If you’ve lived the nightmare that we have lived, you understand the importance of the job that he is doing in securing our nation and fighting for our families,” said Riley.
Among Trump’s guests to the SOTU was Dalilah Coleman, a first-grader injured in a car accident caused by an illegal alien driving with a CDL. Trump encouraged Congress to pass the “Delilah Law,” to prohibit states from issuing CDLs to illegal aliens.
During the SOTU, Trump also brought up the 2023 murder of Texas teenager Lizbeth Medina. Medina’s killer, Rafael Romero, was an illegal alien. Medina’s mother, Jacqueline, was also in attendance at the SOTU.
“We’re getting [illegal aliens] the hell out of here fast, we don’t want ‘em,” said Trump. “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Trump announced that “zero” illegal aliens were admitted to the country in the last three months.
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The U.S. Department of State is urging American citizens in multiple Mexican states to shelter in place due to ongoing security operations, road blockages, and related criminal activity, according to a February 23 advisory shared by Congressman Abe Hamadeh’s (R-AZ8) office.
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) February 23, 2026
The alert identifies the following affected areas:
Jalisco State, including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara
Baja California State, including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada
Nayarit State, including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerto Vallarta
Areas of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Zacatecas
The State Department said U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), Tijuana (Baja California), Chiapas, and Michoacan are sheltering in place “until all blockades are cleared,” and urged U.S. citizens in those locations to do the same.
The advisory noted that incidents were reported on February 22, but stated that conditions have returned to normal in:
Quintana Roo State, including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum
Sinaloa
Tamaulipas
The State Department directed travelers to consult the general Mexico Travel Advisory for additional information.
Flight Disruptions in Puerto Vallarta
The alert states that flights in Puerto Vallarta continue to experience disruptions due to the availability of flight crews. The U.S. Embassy said it is in close contact with airlines to monitor developments.
All other airports in Mexico are reported to be operating normally. The advisory indicates there are no known security-related flight disruptions at airports outside of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Travelers are advised to confirm flight status directly with their airline.
The alert also states that some, but not all, scheduled flights are departing from Guadalajara. Travelers whose flights to the United States are canceled may be able to book connecting flights through other Mexican cities.
Road Closures Reported
Mexican authorities have reportedly curtailed operations on some toll roads due to February 22 blockades. Areas cited include:
Puebla
Guerrero
Tamaulipas
Nayarit
San Luis Potosi
Tijuana
Queretaro
Veracruz
Mazatlan
U.S. citizens are advised to check the Mexican toll road authority @CAPUFE on X for updates regarding road closures.
Actions Recommended
The State Department outlined the following actions for U.S. citizens in affected areas:
Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements
Avoid areas around law enforcement activity
Monitor local media for updates
Follow directions from local authorities
In case of emergency, call 911
Keep family and friends advised of location and well-being
Assistance Information
The alert provides contact information for U.S. Embassy and consular services in Mexico:
From Mexico: (55) 2579-2000
From the United States: 011-52-55-2579-2000 or +1-301-985-8843
Department of State – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Congressman Hamadeh’s office stated that the information was provided directly by the U.S. Department of State.
In November 2025, Rep. Hamadeh said reports that the Trump administration was considering potential military operations against drug cartels in Mexico were “excellent news,” writing on X, “The narco-terrorists are the barbarians at the gates. Pushing poison and chaos into our country.”
Excellent news.
The narco-terrorists are the barbarians at the gates.
Pushing poison and chaos into our country.
Arizona, in particular, has been a pipeline for their operations.
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) November 3, 2025
“Arizona, in particular, has been a pipeline for their operations,” the Congressman said, concluding: “It’s time to wipe the Mexican Cartels off the face of the earth.”
Over the past couple of months, the nation’s eyes have (rightfully) been turned to the State of Minnesota, as concerned citizens have unearthed what appears to be significant abuses of taxpayer dollars going to seemingly fraudulent daycare and healthcare centers run by Somali immigrants. These discoveries have exposed Minnesota Democrat officials, who have (at the least) looked the other way as this fraud was ongoing and escalating.
Minnesota isn’t the only state where we are seeing this rampant misuse of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
Over the past three years, Arizona has been governed by a Democrat Governor and Attorney General, Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes. These two have combined to cultivate a culture of corruption in the Grand Canyon State that rivals the illegal shenanigans from Minnesota. There have been several instances of this abuse and chicanery from the Governor’s Office that the Attorney General’s Office has clearly provided cover for during this term in office.
Whether in Minnesota or Arizona or any other state or jurisdiction across the country, American taxpayers deserve honest, transparent public servants, who are committed to putting the interests of citizens above the political elite. Thankfully, for the people of Arizona, the Republican-led state legislature has worked to hold these lawless Democrats accountable to the rule of law, though Hobbs and Mayes continue to stonewall our efforts and perpetrate new avenues of corruption.
Likely the most egregious action of Hobbs’ administration to-date, the alleged pay-to-play scandal will define the culture of corruption surrounding her administration. Almost two years ago, The Arizona Republic reported that a for-profit, state-contracted group home operator, Sunshine Residential Homes, received a significant rate increase approval from the Hobbs-led Department of Child Services (DCS). Leading up to this rate increase, the group donated to Hobbs’ inaugural fund – after its request for a rate increase had been denied by the outgoing Republican administration. The reporting showed that Hobbs had not approved rate increases to any other group homes, nor were the rate averages for these group homes comparable with Sunshine Residential Homes. Additionally, DCS ended state contracts with 16 group homes, making the arrangement with Sunshine all the more suspicious.
Attorney General Kris Mayes did go through the motions of announcing an investigation into this alleged pay-to-play, but she attempted to order Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and the Arizona Auditor General off the case – despite those offices being asked to investigate the uncovered scheme by state legislators. Mayes was soundly rebuked by Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who also requested that the Maricopa County and State Auditor General investigations continue. The Democrat Attorney General was also accused of a conflict of interest in that she was again shielding her same-party official from the full weight of accountability under the law. There have been no updates from Mayes’ office into the status of this investigation in almost two years, leading credence to the idea that this was a cover-up meant to protect Hobbs and her administration. Compounding the shady behavior from her administration, Hobbs vetoed a bill during last year’s legislative session meant to fool-proof future executives from exploiting any perceived loopholes to perpetuate this kind of abuse.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program doles out almost $100 billion annually to Americans to purchase food. However, like many government programs, this one is rife with fraud and theft. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, there were over $320 million in stolen benefits between October 2022 and December 2024. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in 2023 (during the Biden administration) that approximately twelve percent of these benefits were fraudulent. The politics and policies of this bloated program aside, it is undeniable that SNAP needs more oversight and guardrails to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being stewarded appropriately.
Hobbs and Mayes disagree. Mayes sued the Trump administration over its commonsense efforts to request more information from states on SNAP beneficiaries. Hobbs, for her part, refused to acquiesce to the administration’s data requests. These two are politicizing an issue that should enjoy consensus across party lines. No government official should be standing in the way of efforts to root out fraud in any public program, where taxpayer dollars are at risk for abuse. Every taxpayer dollar should be protected to the highest level. Unfortunately, for Arizona, Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes don’t want the federal government – and the taxpayer – to find out exactly how much fraud is in our state; and that’s a shame.
Late last year, a top official in Mayes’ State Government Division was arrested for “controlling and trafficking stolen property.” Mayes’ office had been warned by the City of Peoria nearly two years earlier about serious allegations against this official – including fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty – yet Mayes kept her in a position of authority leading up to her arrest.
Arizona has long been known for its rugged independence and spirit of doing the right thing. Unfortunately for our state and its proud history, that reputation is being shattered by the culture of corruption from Hobbs and Mayes. Democrats across the country – from Arizona to Minnesota – have proven themselves incapable of governing our states – the laboratories of democracy – as the people rightly expect and deserve. It will be up to the voters to course correct this November and usher in legislators and executives who can – and will – steward the peoples’ money as it was intended.
Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) issued a strong condemnation of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ recent comments that appear to justify violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents under the state’s “Stand your Ground” law.
Hamadeh described Mayes’s remarks as “reprehensible but entirely predictable,” attributing them to the consequences of placing a “far-left political activist” in the state’s top law enforcement role.
The controversy stems from an interview Mayes gave to 12News anchor Brahm Resnik, where she warned that Arizona’s self-defense laws could lead to a “recipe for disaster” in potential clashes between residents and federal immigration officers.
According to the interview, Mayes suggested that residents could open fire on masked ICE agents if they believe their life is in imminent danger, citing the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which permits the use of deadly force in self-defense on one’s property.
“It’s kind of a recipe for disaster because you have these masked federal officers with very little identification, sometimes no identification, wearing plain clothes and masks,” Mayes said during the interview.
She further described ICE agents as “very poorly trained” and emphasized, “We have a Stand Your Ground law that says that if you reasonably believe that your life is in danger and you’re in your house or your car or on your property, that you can defend yourself with lethal force.”
When Resnik sought clarification, asking, “But to be clear, you’re not telling folks you have a ‘license’ if you are threatened, to shoot a peace officer,” Mayes responded, “No, but if you are being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer, how do you know? If somebody comes at me wearing a mask, and I am a gun owner, and I can’t tell whether they are a police officer, what am I supposed to do?”
Hamadeh highlighted that Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law does not permit the use of deadly force against law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty.
In the interview, Mayes also vowed to hold federal agents accountable, stating, “We are watching you. If you violate an Arizona law, I will prosecute you.”
Mayes’ office has launched a new webpage encouraging the public to report alleged misconduct by federal agents, including submitting videos and images. “We are encouraging people to send us their videos, and they have every right under the First Amendment to record those videos,” she added.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) blasted Mayes and Governor Katie Hobbs on X.
It took nearly a week for @katiehobbs to comment on Kris Mayes’ horrendous remarks about shooting ICE agents. Shameful.
That’s not leadership and it’s certainly not someone who supports our law enforcement.
Arizonans know it shouldn’t take days to speak up for public safety…
“It took nearly a week for @katiehobbs to comment on Kris Mayes’ horrendous remarks about shooting ICE agents. Shameful. That’s not leadership and it’s certainly not someone who supports our law enforcement. Arizonans know it shouldn’t take days to speak up for public safety heroes.”
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-01) echoed concern, blasting only Mayes’ rhetoric as “reckless” in a post on X. “Let’s not pretend this was some careful legal seminar,” Schweikert wrote. “This was the attorney general of Arizona freelancing a scenario where bullets start flying and then shrugging it off as ‘just the law.’ That is reckless on its face. If your job is to enforce the law, you do not go on TV and hand out a permission structure for violence, then act surprised when people hear it as a green light. Words matter. Especially when they come from the state’s top lawyer.”
Kris Mayes wrapped her comments in “don’t tread on me,” then went on television and explained how Arizona’s stand your ground law could justify shooting at masked federal agents if someone can’t identify them as law enforcement.
