Democrat Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, has made a defiant statement, declaring his intention to defy federal efforts to secure elections and prevent illegal aliens from voting. Fontes boldly stated, “I would tell them to go to hell,” when questioned about his willingness to provide voter registration data to the Department of Government Efficiency and the Department of Homeland Security for citizenship verification purposes.
Recently, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at strengthening election integrity across the nation. This order mandates voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections, enhances security measures for voting machines, and ensures compliance with federal law regarding mail-in ballots and foreign influence.
The executive order includes a directive for the Department of Homeland Security to review publicly available voter registration lists and compare them with federal and state databases to ensure compliance with federal requirements. However, Fontes has expressed his refusal to cooperate, suggesting that subpoenas might be necessary to access the required information.
In an interview with Scripps News reporter Elizabeth Landers, Fontes emphasized his commitment to protecting voter privacy, stating his opposition to turning over voter information to federal agencies.
“I would tell them to go to hell. There’s no way in the world that I’m going to turn my voter information over to a non-elected bureaucrat who has no legal authority to have possession of that personal identifying information of Arizona’s voters. I will protect and defend every voter in Arizona, whether they’re of my party or not. This is far too important for the perpetuation of this republic,” Fontes stated.
Fontes, who oversaw the controversial 2020 election in Maricopa County, remains a divisive figure. Many Arizona voters, who overwhelmingly supported President Trump, are concerned about the potential for illegal voting under his watch.
Fontes concluded his interview with a passionate defense of democracy, insisting, “Our democracy is the bedrock of everything that we have in benefit as American citizens. We cannot bend on this one.”
