Arizona AG Kris Mayes pledges to pursue charges against Trump allies accused of election interference.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes reaffirmed her commitment Sunday to continue prosecuting the criminal case against a group of President-elect Donald Trump’s allies accused of attempting to overturn Arizona’s 2020 election results. “I have no intention of breaking that case up. I have no intention of dropping that case,” Mayes, a Democrat, said during an interview on MSNBC with Ali Velshi.
What led to the grand jury’s decision to charge?
In April, an Arizona grand jury charged more than a dozen Trump allies, alleging they tried to substitute a slate of alternate electors in the Electoral College following Joe Biden’s narrow win in the state. Mayes emphasized that those involved must face accountability for their actions.
Who are the key figures facing charges?
Prominent figures in the case include former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Both are charged alongside Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward, her husband Michael Ward, and other notable GOP activists and operatives. Each of the defendants has pleaded not guilty.
What specific actions are these individuals accused of?
The group allegedly attempted to create a parallel slate of electors in an effort to shift Arizona’s electoral votes to Trump, despite Biden’s certified win in the state. Mayes explained that a state grand jury deemed these actions an attempt “to overthrow our democracy,” adding that her office would not be intimidated into dropping the case.
What response have defendants provided?
While a spokesperson for Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment, all charged individuals, including other notable Arizona Republican figures like state Sen. Anthony Kern and former Arizona GOP executive director Greg Safsten, have denied the charges, asserting their not-guilty pleas.
