Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States and presumptive Republican 2024 nominee, survived an attempted assassination in Butler County, PA, on Saturday. According to reports, an assailant opened fire with a 22-caliber rifle from a rooftop approximately 150 yards away from the mainstage where Trump was addressing his rally, grazing him in the right ear and killing a rally attendee. The Secret Service told reporters that two spectators were also critically injured. The would-be assassin was engaged by police snipers according to the New York Post with one bystander saying, “They blew his head off.”
As the shots rang out, President Trump can be seen raising a hand to his ear and exclaiming “Oh!” after the first round grazed him. A moment later he dropped to the ground and was swarmed by Secret Service Agents as rally goers took cover behind him. One of the agents can be heard on microphone shouting “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” Seconds later, per the Associated Press, the agents can be heard saying “shooter’s down.” The agents conferred for a few moments before helping Trump rise to his feet. After asking for his shoes, Trump is heard telling his agents to wait before looking out to the crowd with blood trailing across his face from his wounded ear and mouthing, “Fight, Fight, Fight” to his supporters.
Trump was transported to an area hospital in stable condition and released later in the evening.
— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) July 13, 2024
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) posted a statement to X saying, “Political violence is unacceptable, and has no place in this country. I am glad that former President Trump is safe, and hope that others at the rally were not seriously injured. I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act will be swiftly brought to justice.” Her comments echoed the sentiment of many prominent Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemning political violence.
Speaker of the Arizona State House of Representatives Ben Toma (R-AZ-27) wrote within minutes, “Praying for President Trump, first responders, and any others who may have also been injured at the rally.”
Arizona Senate Presdient Warren Peterson looked back on a recent attempt by Democrats in Congress to strip Trump of Secret Service protection in a post to X saying, “It is a good thing the Democrats have not been successful in taking the secret service from Trump.”
In April, Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security led an effort to remove Trump’s protective detail known as the Disgraced Former Protectees Act (H.R. 8081) as reported by USA Today. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Yvette D. Clarke, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jasmine Crockett, Joyce Beatty, and Steve Cohen.
Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes offered her thoughts in a statement to X as well writing:
“The attack against former President Trump must be strongly condemned by ALL Americans — no matter their political beliefs. Poltical violence is never acceptable. Never. My thoughts are with the former President and anyone else who may have been injured or hurt at today’s rally.”
The attack against former President Trump must be strongly condemned by ALL Americans — no matter their political beliefs. Political violence is never acceptable. Never. My thoughts are with the former President and anyone else who may have been injured or hurt at today’s rally.
— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) July 13, 2024
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell noted, “This is horrifying. Violence is never the answer. Praying for a full and speedy recovery for President Trump.”
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes offered his statement, notably without mentioning Trump by name, saying, “I condemn political violence in the most unequivocal terms. NO American political figure should ever be threatened with OR acted against with violence. If we want to beat a political opponent, we do it with ballots, not bullets.”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp lauded the efforts of the U.S. Secret Service protecting President Trump writing, “God bless the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect President Trump! #absoluteheroes”
State Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-AZ-29) shared a now iconic image of Trump raising his fist defiantly saying, “Praying for President Trump. #StandWithTrump”
Republican Senate primary candidate Kari Lake issued a statement saying, “I am shaken and horrified by the assassination attempt on President Trump’s life today. I am praying for President Trump and the innocent attendees who were tragically injured or killed. I am grateful for the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials for their swift action and for preventing this incident from becoming even more tragic.”
Today, we saw an assassination attempt on a man who's been fighting for this country
I'm praying for Donald Trump. I'm praying just as much for his family, & the people in that crowd, & more than anything, I pray for this great Republic & that we can come together as Americans pic.twitter.com/uk9TcwWRu8
She later joined RSBN during the network’s live coverage and wrote, “Today, we saw an assassination attempt on a man who’s been fighting for this country. I’m praying for Donald Trump. I’m praying just as much for his family, & the people in that crowd, & more than anything, I pray for this great Republic & that we can come together as Americans.”
Fellow GOP Senate contender, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, wrote, “Our prayers are with President Trump and his entire family. I applaud the quick reaction and work of law enforcement and members of the Secret Service to move the President to safety and neutralize the suspect.”
Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who is also running for the Senate seat of outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), wrote, “Absolutely horrible. Political violence should never be tolerated. I hope President Trump and everyone at the rally is safe. Grateful Secret Service and law enforcement got the situation under control so quickly.”
President Trump made a statement posted to Truth Social, first thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement and offering condolences to those injured and killed and their families: “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.”
He added, “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), a popular contender to serve as Trump’s Vice Presidential pick, declared on X, “Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.”
Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.
Fellow VP short-lister Sen. J.D. Vance echoed a similar sentiment saying, “Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” He also condemned Rep. Thompson for his efforts to strip Trump of his protective detail saying “Remember this? I do. Kick his ass out of Congress. Absolute scumbag.”
Today is not just some isolated incident.
The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs.
That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination.
Former Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum, another rumored potential VP, noted, “Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today,” adding, “We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.”
Possible Vice-Presidential pick and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offered a lengthy statement saying in part, “First they sued him. Then they prosecuted him. Then they tried to take him off the ballot. The only thing more tragic than what just happened is that, if we’re being honest, it wasn’t totally a shock. Biden’s inevitable ritual condemnation of political violence today (when it comes) will be insufficient and irrelevant. No amount of verbiage today changes the toxic national climate that led to this tragedy.
Apoorva and I mourn for the rally attendee who was apparently killed by the shooter. We believe the fact that President Trump is safe right now is nothing short of an act of God. My heart tells me God intervened not just for Trump, but for our nation. Today, the future survival of the United States of America came down to less than a hair’s width in the path of a bullet.”
He added, “If any good comes of today, let it be this: Americans just had the chance to see our next President’s true character, unvarnished. He took the fire, he took the hit, he felt the blood, and then he stood right back up for the people he was put here to lead. Regardless of who you vote for, let’s unite around the TRUTH that what happened today is unacceptable, now and forever.”
The United States Supreme Court ruling in Johnson v. City of Grants Pass, has settled the question of a city’s ability to arrest and fine people for sleeping and encamping in public spaces.
In the 6-3 ruling, the high court found that enforcing laws against camping on streets, sidewalks, and public lands does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment,” and therefore survives a challenge based on the Eighth Amendment. Communities beleaguered with an entrenched homeless population living illegally on city streets, in vacant lots, and even parks will now be able to clear them and get the homeless, and frequently mentally ill and/or addicted off the streets and hopefully to the resources they need. As noted by AZFamily, the small city of Grant’s Pass, Oregon, was vindicated by the Supreme Court in its assertion that forbidding homeless encampment is not unconstitutional.
Along with Grant’s Pass, the City of Phoenix was also cleared for a new city law to take effect in two months making it illegal to camp within 500 feet of a school, childcare center, or city-owned park as previously reported by AZ Free News. According to The Center Square, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is quite pleased with the SCOTUS ruling. He told reporters, “This ruling is a victory in our state’s efforts to tackle the humanitarian crisis destroying lives and livelihoods within our communities on a daily basis.”
“Our children shouldn’t be forced to walk to school on streets littered with needles, feces, and trash. The individuals camping out should be discouraged from this practice through enforceable laws and be provided with the mental health or substance abuse services they need to overcome this terrible situation.”
Phoenix’s Democrat Mayor Kate Gallego said in written statement Friday, “Phoenix has continued to make meaningful progress on this issue while simultaneously navigating a web of conflicting legal opinions.” She added, “Today’s Supreme Court ruling provides the necessary clarity we need to help even more people find safe, stable shelter,” as AZFamily reported.
Independent City Councilman Kevin Robinson observed, “We want to have the flexibility (to issue citations). I think it needs to be there if it’s a critical type of situation. But the expectation is we lead with services first. We look for ways to help people.” Democrat Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington added, “The decision provides municipalities with an accountability tool, if and when appropriate.”
Her fellow Democrat Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira explained that Phoenix needs to achieve a balanced approach between law enforcement and the dignity of the homeless. “It cannot be open season on the unhoused. That’s not acceptable to me,” he said. “I worry about that everywhere in the United States.”
Although he noted, “Citations have to be an option to ensure equity and to maintain space and access to it.”
Republican Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, who led the encampment ban in the council, told the Arizona Republic that the ruling has affirmed the new ordinance but stressed that Phoenix will continue offering services to the homeless, although for those who refuse assistance, she supports enforcement.
“We want to get them back on their feet. … If we can lead with services, that’s my preference. When they say, ‘No,’ then if that means they need to be ticketed, then I would welcome them to go through the community court process,” O’Brien said.
“What’s important to remember is this isn’t just about the homeless community. It’s about all the citizens of Phoenix and quality of life issues for everyone,” she added.
I am very happy with @USSupremeCourt 6-3 decision that camping bans aren’t considered cruel and unusual. Our Legal Dept is still reviewing the ruling to determine how to proceed. This is a critical step to empower the people to make local decisions in the name of public safety. pic.twitter.com/sQHnGWCrIq
— Councilwoman Ann O’Brien (@CWAnnOBrien) June 28, 2024
The City of Phoenix issued a statement published by ABC15 saying in part, “The City of Phoenix has worked strategically over the last several years to balance court orders from two different lawsuits, community needs, and available resources to address homelessness in our community. The City will continue to lead with services and will not criminalize homelessness, while we evaluate our programs based on the court’s ruling today. The City is confident in the processes created by the Office of Homeless Solutions and supporting departments to address encampments in a dignified and compassionate manner, connecting our most vulnerable residents with services while preserving the quality of life in our neighborhoods for all residents.”
Writing for the majority of the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch reached for the work of Alexis de Tocqueville to conclude his ruling:
“Homelessness is complex. Its causes are many. So may be the public policy responses required to address it. At bottom, the question this case presents is whether the Eighth Amendment grants federal judges primary responsibility for assessing those causes and devising those responses. It does not. Almost 200 years ago, a visitor to this country remarked upon the ‘extreme skill with which the inhabitants of the United States succeed in proposing a common object to the exertions of a great many men, and in getting them voluntarily to pursue it.’ 2 A. de Tocqueville, Democracy in America 129 (H. Reeve transl. 1961).
If the multitude of amicus briefs before us proves one thing, it is that the American people are still at it. Through their voluntary associations and charities, their elected representatives and appointed officials, their police officers and mental health professionals, they display that same energy and skill today in their efforts to address the complexities of the homelessness challenge facing the most vulnerable among us.
Yes, people will disagree over which policy responses are best; they may experiment with one set of approaches only to find later another set works better; they may find certain responses more appropriate for some communities than others. But in our democracy, that is their right. Nor can a handful of federal judges begin to ‘match’ the collective wisdom the American people possess in deciding ‘how best to handle’ a pressing social question like homelessness. Robinson, 370 U. S., at 689 (White, J., dissenting).
The Constitution’s Eighth Amendment serves many important functions, but it does not authorize federal judges to wrest those rights and responsibilities from the American people and in their place dictate this Nation’s homelessness policy. The judgment below is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”
Arizona Republicans won a significant victory over the state’s Democrat attorney general in state court over a funding dispute for the recently approved budget.
Earlier this week, a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of Republicans’ arguments after Attorney General Kris Mayes sued over a funding mechanism set in motion by the new budget that was negotiated by the state legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs.
🚨BREAKING- For the third time in three weeks, the courts have rejected bogus and overtly political “legal” arguments peddled by Attorney General Mayes.
Senate: 3 Mayes: 0
Just moments ago, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge correctly rejected claims made by AG Mayes that… pic.twitter.com/93JgeCJ0YW
Attorney General Mayes had filed suit after officials transferred $115 million in opioid settlement dollars to close funding shortfalls in the state’s appropriations.
“This was a frivolous case brought by the Attorney General,” said Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen. “Facts matter. Laws matter. And our taxpayers are best served when our elected officials uphold the rule of law. Once again, I’m grateful we have checks and balances in place to ensure this principle is followed.”
House Speaker Ben Toma said, “I’m pleased with the judge’s decision to dissolve the temporary restraining order, which AG Mayes wrongly sought. Now the funds will be lawfully spent by the Department of Corrections, as intended in the budget and to help individuals impacted by opioids.”
Previously, Petersen and Toma submitted a brief to the court, where they wrote, “Plaintiff Kris Mayes has no constitutional or statutory authority to unilaterally deploy attorneys to disrupt Arizona’s constitutionally mandated budgetary and legislative process – pursuant to which the Legislature and Governor develop public policy and institute a fiscal scheme to ensure those policies are carried out. Yet here, the Attorney General improperly seeks to use the judiciary as a tool to effectuate her unilateral dissatisfaction with the public policy decision made by the Legislature and Governor in the most recent general appropriations act, HB 2897 and the carrying out of other statutorily authorized duties.”
The Republicans explained that the opioid funds under dispute “are only to be transferred from one governmental account to another,” and that “the bill expressly limits the appropriated funds to Approved Purposes.”
The ruling from Judge Hannah overturned a temporary victory for Mayes last week, when a court commissioner had granted her office a temporary restraining order over the actions from the legislature and governor. In reacting to the previous decision, Mayes said, “The decision by the Governor and the Legislature to sweep opioid settlement funds to backfill budget deficits is illegal, and today I asked the court for an injunction to stop the transfer of these funds. In their rush to end the session, GOP leaders and the Governor ignored other viable options to balance the budget, such as utilizing the rainy-day fund, which has now reached approximately $1.4 billion. This is outrageous.”
Mayes added, “Every Arizonan should ask why the opioid funds were not protected and used to support our communities and prevent opioid use as intended. This decision violates the settlement agreements, and I am determined to stop it. That’s why I made the difficult decision to sue over this issue. This is too important, with too many lives at risk, to get wrong.”
This is the second year in a row that Mayes has been on the losing end of the state’s budget process. Last year, the second-year attorney general sent a letter to Governor Hobbs and the Arizona Legislature, expressing her alarm for the “Legislature sweeping the authority of the Attorney General to direct funds received through consent judgments against several pharmaceutical companies for their roles in the opioid crisis.”
She warned, “Sweeping this authority from the Attorney General would be a breach of the consent judgments, and as Attorney General I will not stand by and allow this to happen. I fully intend to consult with the Legislature as the judgments dictate. Any proposal that contradicts this provision by having the Legislature instead direct how the state funds will be used is not acceptable, and I am prepared to go to court to ensure that the State is able to obtain and properly direct those funds for opioid treatment, prevention and education if warranted.”
Republican State Representative David Livingston sent Mayes a letter in response to her 2023 threat, pointing out that the Legislature does, in fact, have a say in how the funds are used. He wrote, “Attorney General Mayes should learn the facts first, and accurately convey those facts in committee hearings, before making demands and threats to sue the Legislature and the Governor over the budget.”
Attorney General Mayes should learn the facts first, and accurately convey those facts in committee hearings, before making demands and threats to sue the Legislature and the Governor over the budget. @AZHouseGOPpic.twitter.com/SFnElYhUtv
Both the governor and Republicans in the Arizona Legislature have additional history with Mayes than at the point of last year’s episode, that may lend more toxicity to actions by all the parties involved in this political battle. Earlier this spring, Mayes secured indictments of two Republican State Senators over certain efforts undertaken in the aftermath of the 2020 General Election. Also, Mayes has been extremely vocal in attempting to lead an investigation of the Governor’s Office over allegations of impropriety and / or unlawful behavior from one of her state agencies.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Republicans again got the better of Governor Katie Hobbs with their second installment of a state budget amid a tenuous divided government.
On Saturday night, the Republican-led Arizona Legislature passed the 2024-2025 state budget and adjourned for the year after finishing its tasks. This latest budget was negotiated between Senate President Warren Petersen, House Speaker Ben Toma, and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs.
“Following last year’s state budget, where Republican lawmakers provided inflationary relief to everyday Arizonans through $274 million in tax rebates distributed to struggling families, as well as a ban on the tenant-paid rental tax taking effect this January, Republicans are again successfully supporting our hardworking citizens while simultaneously reining in spending,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “In this year’s budget, we defended more than $520 million allocated last year for much-needed transportation projects statewide. We also cut fees for Maricopa County drivers on emissions testing by 5%, and we banned fee increases on Arizonans from state boards for the next two years.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Republicans Eliminate Deficit, Increase Border Security Spending, Fully Fund Public Safety, Protect School Choice, Shrink Government in 2024-2025 State Budget
House Speaker Ben Toma added, “At a time when Arizonans are having to tighten their financial belts, so is state government. The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a fiscally conservative, structurally balanced state budget that solves the nearly $1.5 billion deficit, without touching the rainy-day fund or using budget gimmickry. The budget trims government and protects conservative priorities. It increases funding for local border support operations and assists fentanyl interdiction efforts by law enforcement. It funds transportation and infrastructure and maintains our state’s commitment to water security.”
✅House Approves Fiscally Conservative State Budget that Trims Government and Protects School Choice
“At a time when Arizonans are having to tighten their financial belts, so is state government. The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a fiscally conservative,… pic.twitter.com/yJRtoKAZqb
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) June 16, 2024
According to a press release from the Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus, some of the highlights from the agreed-upon budget included the following:
Reduction of state spending by $1.7 billion below the 2023-2024 budget (10%);
Reduction of ongoing spending by $330 million; and
Addition of $5 million for local border security support and $4 million for fentanyl interdiction and law enforcement response.
The Senate Republicans also noted that their efforts this year produced a budget that did not add any new taxes, tax increases, or debt. Additionally, the budget did not pull dollars from the rainy-day fund, ensuring that the state would have sufficient funds to draw upon should it experience more stormy weather in future years.
“We tightened the state’s belt by trimming fat from state agencies, and we reallocated unspent tax dollars to the general fund to eliminate the deficit, without irresponsibly tapping into our rainy-day fund,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh. “Most government operations within the state received a healthy and manageable 3.5% reduction in spending, with a few exceptions. Safe communities free of crime and a secure border are the biggest priorities to Arizonans and Republicans alike, and we want to ensure our budget reflects that. As a result, funding for the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Corrections, and the Arizona Auditor General remains intact, while we’re also investing millions in border security, all without raising taxes or creating new debt.”
“Our budget also reflects our support for our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said Senator David Gowan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety & Border Security. “We’re funding two full time positions at the Department of Public Safety to address a backlog of concealed carry permit applications and renewals, with a requirement to prioritize Arizona residents first. This move can have a positive impact in our state by ultimately strengthening the safety and security of our communities as our citizens seek avenues to protect themselves, their families, and their private property. Additionally in this budget, we’re infusing crucial dollars into the Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) located in our rural communities, so these residents have convenient access to emergency care.”
Not every Republican was on board with this budget, however. State Representative Matt Gress explained his “no” vote on the most-recent edition, writing, “This year’s [budget] seems more focused on just ‘getting it done’ than ‘doing it right.’ There’s a reason there is bipartisan opposition. This is not a budget that reflects the shared priorities of Arizonans.”
Gress’ fellow Republican colleague in the chamber, Representative Jacqueline Parker, opined, “Literally the ONLY ones saying good things about this budget are Democrats…”
Literally the ONLY ones saying good things about this budget are Democrats… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NIW1tSc4KF
— Rep. Jacqueline Parker (@electjacqparker) June 16, 2024
Senator Wendy Rogers weighed in after the vote in her chamber, posting, “This was a solid Republican budget and I voted for it.”
State Representative John Gillette agreed with Rogers’ sentiments, saying, “After a hard fight and two days of voting, we finally passed the 2024-2025 budget with tax cuts and NO new debt. Fiscal responsibility and conservative values prevailed.”
After a hard fight and two days of voting, we finally passed the 2024-2025 budget with tax cuts and NO new debt!
Fiscal responsibility and conservative values prevailed.
Republicans will now have to make the case to Arizona voters in the all-important November General Election about why they should return to power in the state legislature for another two years in a divided government with Governor Hobbs. Throughout the past two years, Republicans have been mostly united and focused on protecting several of their priorities from the clutches of Democrats eager to dismantle values and principles. That balance of power, though, hangs on a knife’s edge as fall awaits.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s Republican Senate President is confident that a recently passed measure dealing with border security will survive legal scrutiny if passed by state voters in November.
Over the weekend, State Senate President Warren Petersen issued a statement after the Arizona House of Representatives put the finishing touches on a ballot referral, HCR 2060, to help law enforcement better protect citizens from the dangerous effects of the porous border.
Petersen said, “After Biden, our Governor, and Democrat lawmakers blocked all efforts to safeguard our citizens against the rampant crime from the border crisis, we’re relieved to announce the Secure the Border Act officially passed out of the Arizona Legislature this week and will head directly to the November ballot, bypassing the Governor. During the 12 years I’ve served in state office, never has this crisis been as dangerously severe as it is now, costing Arizona taxpayers more than $3 billion in 2023 alone.
The Senate President added, “Soon, Arizona voters will have an opportunity to take matters into their own hands in response to our federal government refusing to do its job. It’s unfortunate radical special interest groups are suing to try to stop our citizens from voting on an issue they consider a top priority.”
The suit that Petersen referenced was filed by Living United for Change in Arizona, which is a nonprofit corporation in the state. Victory PAC and two other qualified electors joined as plaintiffs in the state.
Democrat State Representative Oscar De Los Santos was one of the plaintiffs in the suit. He posted on his “X” account that he had “joined a lawsuit filed by LUCHA AZ challenging the constitutionality of HCR 2060, one of the most racially discriminatory, anti-immigrant pieces of legislation in Arizona history.
🚨 BREAKING: Earlier today, I joined a lawsuit filed by @lucha_az challenging the constitutionality of HCR 2060, one of the most racially discriminatory, anti-immigrant pieces of legislation in Arizona history. pic.twitter.com/pt1ZIZtJuA
— Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (@os_delossantos) June 5, 2024
Explaining more about the legal challenge, De Los Santos wrote, “We allege that HCR 2060 – which embraces a hodgepodge of numerous and varied policies – violates Arizona’s single-subject rule, a provision of our state’s Constitution which stipulates that any one act must deal with only one issue.”
We allege that HCR 2060—which embraces a hodgepodge of numerous and varied policies—violates Arizona’s single-subject rule, a provision of our state’s Constitution which stipulates that any one act must deal with only one issue.
— Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (@os_delossantos) June 5, 2024
One of De Los Santos’ colleagues on the other side of the aisle, State Representative Quang Nguyen, countered the Democrats’ perspective, stating, “I’m an immigrant; elected and re-elected as a rep of a rural county; not caucasian; chair of jud; twice selected as an emerging leader nationally. NO, HCR 2060 is not an immigration bill and it is NOT anti-immigrants. It is anti-criminals.”
I’m an immigrant; elected and re-elected as a rep of a rural county; not caucasian; chair of jud; twice selected as an emerging leader nationally. NO, HCR2060 is not an immigration bill and it is NOT anti-immigrants. It is anti-criminals. https://t.co/mE2JvyH0M6
President Petersen projected confidence in the success of his side’s proposal going before Arizona voters to deal with the border crisis. He said, “We’re confident the Secure the Border Act will survive any scrutiny in court and will be approved by voters.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
