by Matthew Holloway | Apr 22, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Senate Democrats voted Monday against two Republican-backed memorials urging the federal government to designate both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as terrorist organizations.
House Concurrent Memorial 2001, sponsored by Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30), urges the president and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asks Arizona law enforcement agencies to identify and monitor organizations linked to the group operating within the state. The measure passed the Senate on a 17-12 vote, with one senator not voting. Sen. Catherine Miranda (D-LD11) was listed as not voting on the measure.
House Concurrent Memorial 2002, also sponsored by Gillette, urges the president and Congress to designate CAIR as a terrorist organization and to pass H.R. 4097, known as the “Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act.” The measure also passed the Senate in a similar 17-12 vote, with Miranda not voting.
In a statement posted to X, the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus wrote,
“Republicans voted YES to back President Trump and urge Congress to label this radical Islamist network — ideological founder of Hamas — a foreign terrorist group and stop its support for jihad and infiltration. Calling this ‘racist’ is a pathetic Democrat lie. It’s a political terror network, not a race or peaceful Muslims. The Trump administration already designated multiple Brotherhood branches for material support to Hamas. Why are Democrats shielding a group that threatens Arizona families and U.S. security?”
HCM 2001 states that the Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has “a long-documented history of promoting Islamist extremism” and argues that it has inspired or spawned terrorist organizations, including Hamas and al-Qaeda. The memorial also cites Hamas’ charter, which describes Hamas as “one of the wings of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine.” It further urges the Arizona Attorney General and law enforcement agencies to “identify, monitor and report any Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations operating within Arizona, including financial, educational and advocacy groups.”
The memorial references evidence introduced during the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial, including internal Muslim Brotherhood documents describing what prosecutors called a “civilization-jihadist process” intended to undermine Western society from within. It also references CAIR, describing the organization as “widely considered a front group for the Muslim Brotherhood by counterterrorism experts.”
HCM 2002 argues that CAIR should be reviewed for terrorist designation based on alleged ties to Hamas and the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case. The memorial notes that CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation prosecution and adds that the FBI suspended outreach with the organization after evidence presented in the case established a relationship between CAIR and Hamas.
The memorial also cites terrorism-related convictions involving several former CAIR officials or affiliates, and the decision by the United Arab Emirates to designate CAIR as a terrorist organization in 2014.
CAIR Arizona and allied organizations opposed HCM 2002 earlier this year, arguing that the memorial relied on allegations that have not resulted in criminal charges or a federal terrorist designation. The coalition stated that CAIR has never been charged or convicted of terrorism-related crimes and argued that the memorial could contribute to discrimination against Muslim communities.
Both memorials now move forward as formal requests from the Arizona Legislature to federal officials, including the president, Congress, the U.S. Attorney General, and the U.S. Secretary of State.
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 Staff Reporter | Mar 30, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) is investigating over 200 individuals for noncitizen voting.
The MCAO notified the public in a press release of the investigation.
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office referred the names of over 200 individuals to the MCAO between last week and this week. Out of that population, 60 have reportedly cast votes in the past.
MCAO limited the amount of information given to the public about their investigation.
“This investigation is in its very early stages, and in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not comment further. When more information is available for release, we will make that public,” stated the MCAO.
Last month the recorder’s office notified the public of those 60 individuals they determined were noncitizens and had voted in prior elections.
Those 60 noncitizens with a voting history were uncovered following the recorder’s review of nearly 61,700 voters affected by the Motor Vehicle Division oversight that failed to acquire documentary proof of citizenship. At the time of the press release in February, the recorder’s office found a total of nearly 140 noncitizens under that classification who had registered to vote.
The recorder’s office relied on the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to confirm the citizenship of the registered voters.
Last October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded authorization use within the SAVE database to enable states to verify citizenship on its voter rolls.
The updated authorization allowed for additional identifiers beyond the last four digits of Social Security numbers to include full Social Security numbers as well as driver’s license and passport numbers.
Along with the SAVE database expansion, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem came to Arizona in February as part of a promotional tour on the SAVE Act.
That visit by Noem advanced more than just public awareness of the SAVE Act.
Arizona lawmakers revealed during a committee hearing earlier this month that the former recorder of Maricopa County, Stephen Richer, was being investigated for possible obstruction.
The revelation occurred as part of discussions by the House Federalism, Military Affairs, & Elections Committee on a criminal investigation package delivered to DHS and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence by the committee chair, State Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30).
“Stephen Richer telling recorders not to comply with the legislative public records request. That is not a glitch. That’s on purpose,” said Gillette. “There appears to be some obstruction or intent to obstruct other recorders from doing their job because they have an association, he was president of the association at the time, but he was instructing other elected officials that are not of Maricopa County how to comply or not comply in this case with a lawful public records request from the House. That is being looked at, and thus we’ve had a subpoena issued since.”
Although the MCAO announced they were investigating the alleged noncitizen voters, they weren’t the only agency notified of the problematic registrations.
The recorder’s office also referred the alleged noncitizen voters to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 22, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona lawmakers revealed during a committee hearing that Maricopa County’s former recorder, Stephen Richer, is being investigated for obstruction.
The investigation into Richer was disclosed during last week’s House Federalism, Military Affairs, & Elections Committee meeting. The committee discussed an investigation by the office of State Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30), chair of the committee, into Arizona’s voter registrations. The findings of that investigation were packaged as part of a criminal referral to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
As part of his layout of the criminal referral packet, Gillette touched on an action by Richer in which the former recorder, while president of the Arizona Association of County Recorders (AACR) in 2023, advised other county recorders to not comply with a records request from Arizona lawmakers concerning the 2022 election.
“Stephen Richer telling recorders not to comply with the legislative public records request. That is not a glitch. That’s on purpose,” said Gillette.
State Rep. Rachel Keshel (R-LD17), vice chair of the committee, asked Gillette whether Richer reaching out to all of the county recorders qualified as obstruction. Keshel characterized Richer’s recent public engagements as a “CYA campaign.”
“Is there something there that he broke the law by telling other recorders to basically obstruct on that point? Is anything being looked into on that front?” asked Keshel.
Gillette disclosed that he discussed Richer’s actions with former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and “her assistant,” and that Richer was being investigated for that communication with other recorders.
“There appears to be some obstruction or intent to obstruct other recorders from doing their job because they have an association, he was president of the association at the time, but he was instructing other elected officials that are not of Maricopa County how to comply or not comply in this case with a lawful public records request from the House,” said Gillette. “That is being looked at, and thus we’ve had a subpoena issued since.”
Richer commented on a video posted of the exchange with an “lol” in an X post, which he later deleted.
Earlier this month, federal investigators seized election-related records from Maricopa County as part of an investigation into the 2020 presidential election.
In response to that investigation, Richer wrote in a Dispatch op-ed defending the official outcome of the 2020 election. Richer characterized Arizona Republicans as being “maniacally obsessed [with] theories of a stolen election” and questioning the necessity of continuing scrutiny over Arizona elections.
“The years of investigations, tests, reviews, and audits are also worth revisiting because any future allegations would have to account for why all the previous probes didn’t uncover any material fraud or error,” wrote Richer. “I would politely suggest that the reason is because no such fraud or error exists. The voters of Arizona chose Joe Biden more than five and a half years ago. It’s time to move on.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 11, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) warned that “vetting isn’t optional” as lawmakers consider a measure urging federal authorities to review whether the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) should be designated as a terrorist organization. Petersen cited the role of former Democratic state Rep. Martin Quezada as a government affairs representative for CAIR Arizona.
In a statement released by the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus, Petersen referenced Quezada’s current role representing the organization at the state Capitol while lawmakers debate legislation related to CAIR and similar groups. Petersen warned in the statement that vetting matters, adding that lawmakers should carefully examine organizations and the individuals representing them when considering legislation involving national security concerns.
“This is exactly why the Senate’s vetting process exists,” Petersen said.
“When someone is nominated to run a state agency, the Senate’s job is to ask the tough questions, dig into their history, and make sure they are fit to serve the people of Arizona. In this case, the nominee was rejected – and now he’s working for an organization that promotes radically dangerous ideologies and is being considered for terrorist designation at the federal level. Imagine if we hadn’t done our job. That person could have been running a state agency. Vetting isn’t optional. It’s about protecting our citizens and making sure the wrong people are never put in those powerful positions. The Senate will continue to hold the line.”
CAIR is a U.S.-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization founded in 1994. The organization has previously faced scrutiny related to allegations raised during the federal prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation, a charity that was later convicted in 2008 of providing financial support to Hamas. During that case, federal prosecutors listed CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator. CAIR has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime in connection with the case.
As of this report, the federal government has not designated CAIR as a terrorist organization. The organization has been so designated by the states of Texas and Florida.
The remarks from Petersen came as the Arizona Senate considers House Concurrent Memorial 2002, a measure introduced by Arizona Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30) that urges the federal government to review whether CAIR meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
“HCMs are a democratic mechanism for legislative bodies to formally ‘speak’ to federal lawmakers, demonstrating that an issue isn’t isolated complaints but a widespread, organized citizen priority deserving attention and action. We have received 1000s of emails and calls for designation of CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as terrorists organizations. This is the will of the people,” Gillette said in a statement.
HCM 2002 passed the Arizona House of Representatives in a partisan 31-22 vote on February 26, with Gillette noting in a post to X, “HCM 2001 and 2002 supporting terrorist designation for CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood, All The AZ House Dems voted NO! They continue to support radical Islam.”
In related comments posted to X, Gillette criticized Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-LD24) and Arizona Senator Analise Ortiz (D-LD24) writing, “She (Hernandez) read verbatim that CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood were linked and funded Hamas…… yet voted No, to declare them a Terrorists organization,” on Jan. 24 and “Don’t forget AZ. Senator Analise Ortiz, she held a CAIR meeting in her office this morning,” on Jan. 28, while the measure was in committee.
In September 2025, he noted support for CAIR amongst Democrat leaders, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, writing, “CAIR is a known front group for the Muslim Brotherhood. Yet Hobbs and House Democrat leaders stand firm in support.”
Concurrent Measures, such as HCM 2002, do not themselves create a designation. Instead, they formally urge Congress or federal agencies to conduct a review under federal law governing terrorist designations.
Federal law places the authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations with the U.S. Secretary of State. The designation process typically requires evidence that an organization is foreign in origin and engaged in terrorist activity or poses a threat to the national security of the United States.
The debate surrounding the Arizona proposal has drawn responses from both supporters and critics of the measure. Supporters argue that Congress and federal agencies should examine whether organizations operating in the United States have connections to extremist groups.
Opponents, including Quezada, have publicly opposed HCM 2002, with the former Democratic legislator calling the measure “nonsense,” according to The State Press, saying the legislation is intended to discourage CAIR supporters from speaking out. “The community in general is feeling targeted, because if they’re willing to go after one organization first, like CAIR, who are they going to go after next?” he added.
Quezada told the outlet in February that the measure succeeded in “trying to make an example out of CAIR.”
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 Staff Reporter | Feb 19, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A legislative committee advanced a bill to take away some of Attorney General Kris Mayes’ authority over the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Monday.
House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) said in his committee explanation of the bill that Mayes’ recent “political theatrics” had “endangered” law enforcement officers, therefore justifying the existence of this legislation. Mayes said in a January interview that individuals had legal justification for shooting ICE and other law enforcement agents based on Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
In a press release, Montenegro said Mayes no longer deserved the responsibility of providing legal protection to DPS.
“Attorney General Mayes does not get to put officers at risk with reckless talk and then expect DPS to trust her office for legal protection,” said Montenegro. “The House censured her, and we are taking the next step. HB 2993 gives DPS the authority to hire counsel it trusts, without political strings attached. It also moves $5 million out of the Attorney General’s control and into GIITEM, the mission that targets gangs, cartels, and transnational criminals. Arizona is choosing officer safety and enforcement over Mayes’ political games.”
Nick Debus with the attorney general’s office wrote down their office’s opposition to the bill during the committee hearing on Monday, but did not appear to testify against the bill.
The bill passed along party lines, with Democrats against and Republicans for the proposed legislation. Those Democrats who explained their vote did not address the “why” behind the bill — Mayes’ provision of a legal defense for shooting law enforcement — but rather the taking of CPCF Funds from the attorney general’s office.
State Rep. Lorena Austin (D-LD9) said Montenegro’s bill was also political posturing by impeding the administration of another democratically elected official.
“I don’t think this is a way to instill trust in our public entities, I think when someone is doing a good job regarding consumer protections we should continue to let them do those things,” said Austin.
Likewise, Minority Whip Quanta Crews (D-LD26) expressed concerns that depleting the CPCF Fund would result in further harm to consumers. State Rep. Kevin Volk (D-LD17) said the current economic climate made this “tit for tat” legislation more harmful than helpful.
Republicans argued the legislation killed two birds with one stone: mitigating wasteful spending as illustrated by recent consumer fraud actions while freeing law enforcement of their reliance on an individual who had jeopardized their safety.
State Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30) said Mayes was guilty of “frivolous spending” related to consumer fraud actions. As an example, Gillette cited the consumer protection lawsuit filed last year against the Reynolds Corporation for its labeling on bags intended to collect recycling because they’re not suitable for recycling. Mayes’ press release on the lawsuit did acknowledge the bags came with a warning that they were not suitable for recycling but intended as temporary containers for sorting and collecting recyclable materials.
“We spent millions of dollars for this lawsuit to go absolutely nowhere. I can think of no better use of that money than to give it to law enforcement,” said Gillette. “Let’s get the drugs, the criminals, the bad people off the streets so we can live freely.”
State Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-LD3) said Mayes had created a “permission structure” for committing violence against law enforcement.
“When you’re telling people how to kill me and you’re going to let me get away with it, that’s not going to create that trust and confidence that’s necessary for effective representation,” said Kolodin.
The Arizona House passed a resolution censuring Mayes over her remarks on justified shootings earlier this month.
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