The Political Insider

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich fired off a letter to the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) warning them that the state “will not tolerate” any effort to interfere in the ongoing Maricopa County election audit.

The Arizona state senate has been conducting a so-called audit which critics have defined as ‘partisan‘ or ‘fraudulent,’ warning that it should not be considered a legitimate effort.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered a speech last week regarding ‘voting rights,’ where he referenced “abnormal” methods being used in some audits.

“Some jurisdictions, based on disinformation, have utilized abnormal post-election audit methodologies that may put the integrity of the voting process at risk and undermine public confidence in our democracy,” he said.

Garland added that the DOJ will “ensure” the Maricopa County election audit would “abide by federal statutory requirements to protect election records and avoid the intimidation of voters.”

Brnovich responded to Garland with a message of his own.

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Arizona AG Defends Maricopa County Election Audit

In his letter to the DOJ, Attorney General Mark Brnovich defended the Maricopa County election audit and said he stands ready to “defend federalism and state sovereignty against any partisan attacks or federal overreach.”

Brnovich indicated he found Garland’s comments “troubling” and that the U.S. Attorney General seemed more concerned with “supporting the hysterical outcries of leftist pundits on cable television, rather than the rule of law.”

“My office is not amused by the DOJ’s posturing and will not tolerate any effort to undermine or interfere with our State Senate’s audit to reassure Arizonans of the accuracy of our elections,” he added.

Brnovich then went on a Ron Paul-esque defense of states’ rights.

“America’s founders intentionally restrained the federal government’s constitutional boundaries to ensure each state could flourish in unique ways,” he argued.

“Today, our federal government has largely forgotten the Founders’ intent, but my office has not.”

Brnovich’s letter also warns the Biden administration and the Justice Department that he has no intention of allowing them to “abuse its authority, refuse to uphold laws, or attempt to commandeer our state’s sovereignty.”

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Brnovich Has Tangled With Trump

Earlier this year, the Arizona AG similarly demonstrated his resolve in regards to federalism, filing a lawsuit along with Montana against the administration for implementing new rules making it more difficult for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and deport illegal immigrants.

“Blindly releasing thousands of people, including convicted criminals and those who may be spreading COVID-19 into our state, is both unconscionable and a violation of federal law,” he said in a statement.

“This must be stopped now to avoid a dangerous humanitarian crisis for the immigrants and the people of Arizona.”

Brnovich, ironically, has raised the ire of former President Donald Trump in the past, particularly after certifying the Arizona election results for 2020, declaring Biden the winner.

Trump has criticized Brnovich repeatedly regarding the Maricopa County election audit.

The former President in several statements has slammed Brnovich, saying he is “lackluster” and claiming he had “done little so far on Voter Integrity and the 2020 Presidential Election Scam.”

Brnovich announced last week that he is running for Senate in Arizona, looking to take on Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly in a top midterm battleground.

Despite the criticisms, Brnovich claims he’s engaged in “good conversations” with the former President about his Senate run.