Arizona AG Kris Mayes Files 35 Lawsuits Against Trump Administration

Mayes takes legal action to protect Arizonans from Trump's 'slash-and-burn approach' to federal funding and programs.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed 35 lawsuits against the Trump administration since he took office a year ago, pushing back on his attempts to systematically change the entire U.S. government. Mayes has sued to protect federal funding for programs like SNAP, AmeriCorps, the National Institutes of Health, and electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as to block the administration's efforts to dismantle agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education.

Why it matters

Mayes' legal actions aim to safeguard critical services and funding that Arizonans rely on, from food assistance to community service programs to public health research. As the Trump administration seeks to reshape the federal government through executive orders and funding cuts, Mayes is using the courts to defend the rights of states and their residents.

The details

Mayes has filed lawsuits on a wide range of issues, including the administration's attempts to end birthright citizenship, freeze federal funding, access personal data of SNAP recipients, and dismantle agencies like the Department of Education. Many of these cases have resulted in preliminary injunctions or other court rulings blocking the administration's actions.

  • Mayes began filing lawsuits against the Trump administration shortly after he took office in January 2025.
  • Several key rulings have come down in 2025 and early 2026, with judges often siding with Mayes and the plaintiff states.

The players

Kris Mayes

The Democratic Attorney General of Arizona who has led the legal fight against the Trump administration's policies.

Donald Trump

The former president whose administration's actions have prompted the flurry of lawsuits from Mayes and other state AGs.

Elon Musk

The billionaire who has played a key role in the Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal government, including through the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Secretary of Health and Human Services who has overseen the dismantling of numerous HHS programs and agencies.

Katie Hobbs

The Governor of Arizona who has supported Mayes' legal actions and refused to provide SNAP recipients' personal data to the Trump administration.

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What they’re saying

“No president can eliminate a provision in the Constitution.”

— Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General (Social media)

“These mass firings aren't about performance — they're about politics and ideology.”

— Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General (Press release)

“If the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE'RE SCREWED!”

— Donald Trump (Social media)

“I'm going to stand up for the privacy of Arizonans' data. (Trump) is politicizing people who need assistance the most, and that is wrong, and I will continue to fight them to ensure that Arizonans can get the benefits that they need and are entitled to.”

— Katie Hobbs, Governor of Arizona (KJZZ interview)

“These courts, and in many cases conservative justices, are siding with us again and again. This is the second in a series of decisive wins and I'm confident we'll see additional victories soon.”

— Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General (Press release)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Walker Reed Quinn will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

Kris Mayes' aggressive legal strategy has allowed Arizona to maintain critical federal funding and services in the face of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the social safety net and reshape the federal government. Her success in the courts highlights the important role state attorneys general can play in protecting their residents' interests when the federal government pursues policies that threaten local communities.