Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that her office has opened an investigation into whether Donald Trump’s recent comments toward former Representative Liz Cheney constitute a potential death threat.
During an interview with Tucker Carlson in Arizona, Trump made remarks that many, including Cheney, interpreted as violent, stating that Cheney—a frequent Trump critic—should be put in a situation where guns are trained on her. This raised immediate concerns, leading Mayes to review whether Trump’s words broke Arizona law regarding threats.
Cheney quickly responded to Trump’s comments, accusing him of behaving like a dictator who uses threats to intimidate opponents. She posted on social media, warning that Trump’s rhetoric reflects the mindset of someone unfit to lead a democratic nation.
Cheney has consistently voiced her opposition to Trump, particularly following his actions during the Capitol attack on January 6, and has labeled him as dangerous to the nation’s future. Cheney’s alignment with Democrats in endorsing Kamala Harris in the upcoming election has further fueled the tensions between her and Trump.
Donald Trump
Several politicians, including members of both parties, publicly denounced Trump’s comments as troubling and potentially dangerous. Democratic officials, as well as some Republicans, shared Cheney’s alarm, while members of the Harris campaign condemned the rhetoric as inappropriate and escalatory.
Former Trump aide Alyssa Farah Griffin urged Republicans in Congress to take a stand against what she described as reckless attacks, calling for stronger denunciation from those who once worked alongside Cheney.
In the wake of the controversy, Mayes clarified that her office has yet to determine if Trump’s statements meet Arizona’s legal definition of a death threat. However, she emphasized the importance of curbing dangerous rhetoric, especially as the election draws near and concerns about voter safety increase.
Mayes expressed hope that leaders across the political spectrum would focus on maintaining order and security in a tense election climate.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign defended the former president’s comments, arguing that they were taken out of context and intended as a critique of Cheney’s foreign policy stances, not as a literal threat. Trump’s team framed the situation as part of a broader effort by opponents to discredit him just days before the election.
In a statement, a Trump campaign spokesperson claimed that Cheney’s critics were simply trying to interfere in the election on behalf of Kamala Harris while affirming Trump’s right to criticize Cheney’s foreign policy positions.
