Arizona, one of the seven crucial swing states poised to determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, has initiated a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump’s comments aimed at former Republican Representative Liz Cheney.
The state’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, announced the investigation unexpectedly on Friday during the filming of a local news show.
“I have already instructed my criminal division chief to begin examining that statement to determine whether it constitutes a death threat under Arizona law,” the AG stated.
Trump on Liz Cheney: "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her. Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face." pic.twitter.com/Mtx1fbLtwE
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024
Under Grand Canyon State law, threatening or intimidating another person could be classified as a Class 6 felony, which could result in Trump facing up to six years in prison due to his prior felony convictions.
“I’m not ready to say whether it was or wasn’t a threat,” Mayes, a Democrat, told 12News, “but it doesn’t help as we prepare for our election and work to ensure we maintain peace at our polling places and throughout our state.”
During an interview with Tucker Carlson in Glendale on Thursday, the Republican nominee attacked his longtime adversary, labeling her a “radical war hawk” and suggesting she should face a firing squad.
“Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her,” Trump remarked to the former Fox News host. “Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.”
Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House Director of Communications under Trump, called for the immediate arrest of his former boss for his comments.
“Trump should be taken into custody,” Scaramucci tweeted. “He is a convicted felon and just violated the conditions of his bail agreement by threatening someone’s life. He needs to be sent away.”