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Sheriff Clashes With Right-Wing Media Over Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been outspoken in defending his office's investigation amid criticism from outlets like NewsNation and Newsmax.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, a Democrat, has been leading the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Nanos has been conducting one-on-one interviews with select journalists instead of holding press conferences, and has been critical of right-wing media outlets like NewsNation and Newsmax, who have reported on alleged tensions between his office and the FBI. Nanos has pushed back on these claims, saying the sheriff's office is cooperating fully with the FBI.
Why it matters
The high-profile nature of this kidnapping case, with the mother of a national TV personality being the victim, has put Nanos and his office under intense media scrutiny. His combative approach with right-wing outlets raises questions about the political dynamics at play and the challenges law enforcement faces in navigating a 24/7 media environment during a sensitive investigation.
The details
Nanos has been critical of right-wing media outlets like NewsNation and Newsmax, accusing them of spreading misinformation and "fake news" about the investigation. He has pushed back on reports of tensions between his office and the FBI, insisting they are cooperating fully. Nanos has also taken issue with a NewsNation graphic that listed "10 Investigation Mistakes" by his office, calling the claims "completely without any factual basis."
- The kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie has been under investigation for 19 days as of February 19, 2026.
The players
Chris Nanos
The Democratic sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, who is leading the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie.
Savannah Guthrie
The co-anchor of the Today show, whose mother Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped.
Brian Entin
A reporter for NewsNation who has been covering the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case and has had a tense interview with Sheriff Nanos.
John Huddy
A reporter for Newsmax who had a "tense" conversation with Sheriff Nanos about the investigation.
Ashleigh Banfield
A host on the Drop Dead Serious video podcast who has been critical of Sheriff Nanos' handling of the media during the investigation.
What they’re saying
“Let's just say they did not put out the welcome mat for us.”
— John Huddy, Reporter, Newsmax (Twitter)
“The sheriff decided to go over time to just take the piss out of Brian Entin. When Brian's 10 minutes were up — the timed 10 minutes he was allotted — that's when the sheriff decided to pick a fight. With Brian Entin! Dude. Read the fucking room! The whole country loves Brian Entin. That guy can do no wrong.”
— Ashleigh Banfield, Host, Drop Dead Serious video podcast (Drop Dead Serious)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in navigating a 24/7 media environment during a high-profile investigation, with Sheriff Nanos' combative approach with right-wing media outlets raising questions about the political dynamics at play and the need for clear and transparent communication with the public.
