by Daniel Stefanski | Oct 9, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Elected officials from around Arizona solemnly marked the first anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
One year ago, Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists, who took advantage of completely unsuspecting communities to inflict horrific harms and devastation on innocent men, women, and children.
Ben Toma, the Arizona Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced that he had “issued a legislative proclamation declaring October 7, 2024, as a Day of Observance to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel.” Speaker Toma said, “The people of Arizona share in the grief of those affected by the attack and stand in solidarity with Israel as they continue to defend their nation and strive for peace.”
Toma’s proclamation encouraged all Arizonans, including his fellow lawmakers, “to observe a moment a silence on this day to honor those whose lives were lost and to stand in unity with those who remain in captivity.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs posted, “One year ago today, Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel took away the hopes and dreams of innocent people forever. My heart is with the families who mourn, the hostages who should be home, and the entire country of Israel as they pray and grieve.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes added, “On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas committed horrifying acts of violence, killing and kidnapping Israelis, sowing fear and agony in Jewish communities around the world. Together we must stand firm against all forms of hatred and commit to building a world that values dialogue over division, working toward a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.”
State Senator Frank Carroll wrote, “On this solemn day, my heart breaks for the Israelis who’ve suffered such horrifying acts of evil by Hamas and Iran, as well as for the hostages who are still enduring torturous conditions… We must stand united against this evil and support a permanent end to the war happening in the Middle East. I urge all Arizonans to speak out against the injustices our Jewish friends are experiencing and to condemn all antisemitic acts in the strongest sense. May the good Lord protect our world from the Iranian-directed terrorists who are attempting to spread death and destruction upon the innocent.”
State Representative Alma Hernandez stated, “Oct 7, 2023 The longest and most painful year for many of us. It was the day we realized who our real friends were, and it was the day I lost a lot of hope in humanity. May we never forget the innocent lives taken from us and the 101 hostages 13 of them women still being held by Hamas terrorist.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, “Today we remember the one-year anniversary of the attack on Israel. I pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages taken that day as well as for the families whose loved ones were killed.”
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck gave the following comment to AZ Free News: “Shortly after the October 7 attacks, I saw the places and heard the witness accounts of what took place. I will never forget the barbarity of the enemies of Israel. The Bible says that there is a time for peace and a time for war. I pray for the peace of Israel and know they must win the war against terrorists so they can have security. America needs to know that Israel’s fight is our fight. It is a fight for dignity and human rights. That is why I proudly fly the flag of Israel and support American leaders who understand that Israel’s cause is our cause.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 22, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A Republican member of the Arizona Legislature is sounding the alarm after the release of a shocking revelation tied to the southern border.
Earlier this month, national media reported that eight suspected terrorists were arrested in major U.S. cities. The aliens, who were Tajikistan nationals, were apprehended in New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia by ICE and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Bill Melugin, a Fox News journalist, shared that he was “told all 8 crossed the southern border illegally, received ‘full vetting’, and had no initial derogatory information that flagged.” He noted that “derogatory info/potential national security concerns flagged later on – apparently after release into the U.S.”
Arizona State Senator Frank Carroll reacted to the stunning news, writing, “A recent Fox News report revealed eight Tajikistan nationals with ties to ISIS were caught by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in conjunction with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in three major cities across America. These terrorists crossed the border illegally and were processed then released into our country without being flagged. Luckily, we were able to catch them later on, but eventually, our luck WILL run out! Clearly, our vetting process is not very efficient, and that’s for the people who we actually processed! This doesn’t include the millions of gotaways who’ve entered our country illegally and were never caught. How many more terrorists will we allow in before we wake up to the reality of what’s really going on?
Carroll added, “Thankfully, Republicans get it. That’s why we’re sending the Secure the Border Act to the November ballot. It will help prevent these violent terrorists and criminals from entering our country. The threat to our safety as Arizonans and Americans is at an all-time high!”
The FBI and DHS issued a joint statement to Fox News about the news, stating, “Over the last few days, ICE agents arrested several non-citizens pursuant to immigration authorities. The actions were carried out in close coordination with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces. The individuals arrested are detained in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. As the FBI and DHS have recently described in public and partner bulletins, the U.S. has been in a heightened threat environment. The FBI and DHS will continue working around the clock with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt potential threats to national security.”
Melugin later called attention to an earlier interview with an illegal alien from Turkey, who told the media how American citizens should be “worried” about the state of their border security and the individuals who are making their way into the homeland from all parts of the world.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 14, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanksi |
A bill to help prepare the State of Arizona for international conflict and chaos may be close to the Governor’s Office for her decision.
In the recent Arizona Senate Republicans’ newsletter, Senator Frank Carroll discussed his bill, SB 1638, which would “require the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), to the extent possible, to: 1) identify any threats posed to Arizona in the event of a Pacific conflict; 2) complete a comprehensive risk assessment, including all vulnerabilities and recommendations for emergency response strategies for outlined areas; and 3) provide mitigation strategies and suggestions to limit or eliminate the risk posed to critical infrastructure and other assets as well as the safety and security of Arizona or the United States” – according to the purpose statement from the state Senate.
Carroll said, “A bipartisan bill to help ensure our state is prepared in the event of a future conflict overseas is making its way through the Legislature. I sponsored SB 1638 to require the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) to identify any threats posed to the state of Arizona in the event of a Pacific conflict. This bill will also require DEMA to provide a comprehensive risk assessment that includes vulnerabilities and recommendations for emergency response strategies in areas like critical infrastructure, state cybersecurity, public health, and safety and security.”
The west valley Republican lawmaker added, “China is strategically pursuing control over the Pacific, which includes our allies like Taiwan, in order to better position themselves to take down the United States. Their actions are a direct threat to our safety and freedoms as Americans, and we need to ensure we are informed and prepared to protect our state’s citizens. SB 1638 will head back to the Senate for a final vote before heading to the Governor for signature.”
After the bill was changed in the Arizona House of Representatives with a strike everything amendment, it overwhelmingly passed with a bipartisan majority – 45-15 on June 4. The Arizona Senate will have to concur with the new version of the bill before sending the legislation to the Governor’s Office.
Before the House resurrected this policy in SB 1638, Carroll’s proposal previously resided in SB 1338, which was defeated by the state Senate in March with a 12-16 result. Carroll pointed to an article in April as proof that the state needed to enact his bill, which had been transferred to SB 1638 at that point.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 6, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republican legislators continue to stand up in defense of the rule of law in the absence of the Democrat attorney general.
Late last month, the Arizona Legislature, led by Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma, signed onto a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in Smith & Wesson Brand, Inc. v. Mexico. The Second Amendment-related petition was led by the State of Montana and joined by a number of other states from around the country.
In a statement for the Arizona Senate Republicans weekly newsletter, Senator Frank Carroll addressed the latest action in federal court for state legislators, writing, “In a federal lawsuit, Mexico is trying to blame American gun manufacturers for cartel violence, instead of their own government’s negligent policies. California and other blue states, along with anti-gun activists, are working to support Mexico’s efforts in an attempt to put gun manufacturers out of business. We recently joined 26 states to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on this case.
Carroll added, “A foreign nation has no business using our court system to try to limit the rights of our citizens, yet that’s exactly what’s occurring with this $10 billion lawsuit. The bipartisan Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) prohibits civil liability actions from being brought against manufacturers for damages resulting from the misuse of their products. It was enacted nearly a decade ago for a reason. The fact that this case was revived after being previously dismissed is a threat to our Second Amendment rights, and has the potential to set a dangerous precedent moving forward, which is why we’re fighting for the highest court to weigh in.”
The coalition of states argue in the brief that the “PLCAA is part of a carefully calibrated regulatory scheme in which Congress – not just the judiciary – regulates the firearms industry, [that] the Court should grant the petition to enforce PLCAA and definitely address the scope of its exceptions, [and that] Mexico’s sovereign power undercuts any claim of proximate causation.”
This action from the Petersen and Toma-led Arizona Legislature is one of a growing number of instances where the Republican lawmakers have led their own challenges or joined other attorneys general in legal filings in federal court. Both the Arizona Senate and House have prioritized these actions over the past year with Democrats in the Governor’s and Attorney General’s Offices.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | May 30, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona Legislature has sent a bill to the governor that would strengthen protections for political candidates.
Last week, the Arizona Senate approved SB 1359, which would “require a person who distributes a deceptive and fraudulent deepfake of a candidate within 90 days before an election to include a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the media includes content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) and subjects a person that fails to disclose a deepfake as outlined to a civil penalty” – according to the purpose statement from the state Senate.
Senator Frank Carroll, the sponsor of the bill, noted in the Arizona Senate Republicans weekly newsletter that his proposal received “near unanimous support.”
In February, Carroll’s legislation had passed out of the Arizona Senate with an overwhelmingly bipartisan result of 24-4 (with two members not voting). After it was transmitted to the Arizona House of Representatives, it was amended and received a 56-0 tally earlier this month (with four members not voting). The Senate then concurred with the changes from the other chamber with a 25-1 vote (with four members not voting).
Senators Bolick, Gowan, Petersen, and Shamp joined as co-sponsors of the legislation.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, Arizona National Organization for Women, and State Conference NAACP signed in to support the bill. A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona indicated opposition to the legislation.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
