In a surprising turn of events following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is standing firm in her decision not to dismiss the controversial “fake electors” case. Despite Trump’s decisive win, Mayes insists on pursuing legal action against Trump and several of his key allies for their alleged involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Mayes, a Democrat, issued a fiery statement reiterating her commitment to the case. “I have no intention of dropping that case,” she declared. “A grand jury in the state of Arizona decided that these individuals who engaged in an attempt to overthrow our democracy in 2020 should be held accountable. So we won’t be cowed. We won’t be intimidated.”
Her remarks come as the nation digests Trump’s 2024 victory, which saw him regain the presidency after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. While many Democrats have conceded defeat and shifted their focus away from pursuing Trump, Mayes is determined to see the case through.
The fake electors case stems from allegations that Trump and his associates orchestrated a scheme to submit alternate slates of electors in key battleground states, including Arizona, following the 2020 election. Mayes’ investigation has led to charges against several high-profile Trump allies, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.
These individuals, along with over a dozen others, have all pleaded not guilty. Critics of the case argue that it is a politically motivated effort designed to harass Trump and his allies. They point out that similar accusations have been dismissed in other jurisdictions, including Nevada, where charges were dropped before being appealed by prosecutors.
Mayes’ decision to push forward with the case highlights a broader trend among some Democratic prosecutors who have gained national prominence by targeting Trump. Figures like Fani Willis in Georgia, Jack Smith at the federal level, and Alvin Bragg in New York were relatively unknown before launching high-profile cases against Trump. These cases have elevated their political profiles and turned them into heroes for some on the left.
Mayes, however, has struggled to achieve the same level of success or recognition. Her case has dragged on for years without resolution, and it’s now slated to go to trial in 2026—five years after the alleged crimes took place and two years into Trump’s second term. Critics argue that the lengthy timeline and lack of concrete results reflect the case’s weakness.
Once Trump takes office, he is expected to take a hardline stance against what he views as politically motivated prosecutions. He has previously criticized prosecutors like Mayes for weaponizing the legal system to target their political opponents. Trump’s supporters believe that addressing these cases will be a top priority for his administration.
In particular, Trump has vowed to curb the power of district attorneys who rely on politically charged grand jury indictments. Many of his allies see Mayes’ case as a prime example of “lawfare,” or the use of legal systems to wage political battles.
Still, Mayes appears undeterred. Her persistence has earned her praise from some within her party who see her as a fighter for democratic principles. But even among Democrats, there is skepticism about the case’s potential to yield convictions. Without a sympathetic judge, legal experts believe the case is unlikely to succeed.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the role of state-level prosecutors in national politics. If Mayes succeeds in bringing the case to trial, it could set a precedent for how election-related disputes are handled in the future. However, if the case is dismissed or fails to gain traction, it may discourage other prosecutors from pursuing similar charges against political figures.
Regardless of the outcome, Trump’s re-election has added a new layer of complexity to the legal battles surrounding him. With his allies back in power, the political dynamics in cases like these are likely to shift dramatically.
As the trial date approaches, all eyes will be on Arizona to see whether Mayes can overcome the significant legal and political hurdles in her path. For now, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of accountability, even as Trump prepares to re-enter the White House. Whether her case will have a lasting impact or fade into the background of America’s political landscape remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: the clash between Mayes and Trump is far from over, and its resolution could shape the future of legal accountability for political figures in the United States.
