Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes said during an interview that residents could fire upon ICE agents who are masked if they feel they are in danger due to the state’s laws on self-defense.
Mayes explained that Arizona has a “Stand Your Ground” law that allows people to use lethal force if they believe their life is in danger.
“It’s kind of a recipe for disaster because you have these masked federal officers with very little identification, sometimes no identification, wearing plain clothes and masks,” Mayes said during an interview with 12News.
She said that the “Stand Your Ground” law in Arizona allows residents to use lethal force if they feel like their life is in jeopardy.
“And we have a Stand Your Ground law that says that if you reasonably believe that your life is in danger and you’re in your house or your car or on your property, that you can defend yourself with lethal force,” Mayes said.
The interviewer, Brahm Resnik pushed back on Mayes, asking if this gave people permission to shoot federal agents.
Mayes said that the law was a fact and she wasn’t encouraging violence.
“If you’re being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer — how do you know?” Mayes said.
She also said real cops don’t wear masks.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made headlines lately as anti-ICE protests have ramped up around the U.S., specifically in Minnesota after an agent killed Renee Good.
WinCrazy4411 on January 26th, 2026 at 16:08 UTC »
Ya, someone could reasonably fear for their life in that situation. Even worse, if they identified themselves as a ICE agent I'd definitely fear for my life.
raincntry on January 26th, 2026 at 16:07 UTC »
If a masked person shows up at your house, attempting to enter without announcing they are law enforcement, you can absolutely legally act in self defense. Any law enforcement agent will tell you that knock and announce is as much for their protection as anything else. ICE seems to ignore this reality.
Blarfk on January 26th, 2026 at 16:01 UTC »
She is objectively correct based on how the law is worded and the actions of ICE.