Arizona AG Kris Mayes Vows New Grand Jury Indictment as VP Vance Visits State

Arizona AG Kris Mayes Seeks New Indictment in Trump 2020 Fake Electors Case | Latest Updates

Arizona AG Kris Mayes Moves to Dismiss Trump 2020 Fake Electors Case but Vows New Grand Jury Indictment as VP Vance Visits State

PHOENIX — June 22, 2026

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Thursday that her office is dismissing the high-profile criminal case against 18 defendants, including former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, accused of participating in a scheme to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in the state. The move comes just days after the Arizona Supreme Court denied Mayes’ appeal of a lower court ruling that sent the case back to a grand jury on due process grounds. Mayes is now vowing to return the matter to a new grand jury in hopes of securing a fresh indictment, effectively resetting the prosecution clock to meet legal deadlines.

The decision marks the third fake elector case filed by states in connection with Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results to be dismissed, following similar actions in other jurisdictions. However, Mayes emphasized that the dismissal is procedural and that her office remains committed to holding those involved accountable.

The original indictment, handed down by a state grand jury in April 2024, charged the defendants with nine felony counts, including fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged that the group, acting as fake Republican electors, signed and submitted documents falsely claiming Trump had won Arizona’s 11 electoral votes, despite Joe Biden’s certified victory by more than 10,000 votes.

The case was set for trial in January 2026 but faced significant legal setbacks. In May 2025, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled that grand jurors had not been given all the information they needed, ordering the case back to the grand jury. Mayes appealed that decision, but the Arizona Supreme Court declined to review it earlier this month.The legal maneuver of dismissing and refiling allows prosecutors to present the case to a new grand jury on a “reasonable timeline,” bypassing the immediate deadline that would have forced a quicker restart under the prior ruling.

Mayes’ office stated the move is aimed at curing the procedural defects identified by the courts while preserving the ability to prosecute what they describe as a coordinated effort to subvert the election. A spokesperson noted that the office “will return this case to the grand jury” to ensure defendants receive full due process.

The case involves 11 individuals who served as alternate electors plus several Trump allies accused of orchestrating the effort. It is one of several state-level prosecutions stemming from the broader Trump 2020 election challenges, which also included federal cases and parallel actions in Georgia, Michigan, and elsewhere.

The development unfolds as Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to make a stop in Arizona today, June 22, 2026. Vance is set to speak at an event in the Oro Valley area, part of ongoing Republican outreach in the battleground state ahead of future elections. His visit comes amid heightened national attention on Arizona’s role in the 2020 election disputes and ongoing legal proceedings.

Mayes, a Democrat elected in 2022, has faced criticism from Republicans who view the case as politically motivated. The timing of the dismissal and planned refiling could fuel further debate as Vance arrives in the state.

As of today, Mayes’ office has not yet filed the formal motion to dismiss in court but confirmed the intent publicly. Prosecutors are expected to move quickly to present evidence to a new grand jury to avoid further delays.

No trial date had been reset following the Supreme Court’s decision, and the case remains in limbo pending the new grand jury proceedings. Defendants, including Meadows and Giuliani, have long maintained their innocence and argued the alternate elector effort was a lawful contingency plan.

The Arizona case is among the last major state-level “fake elector” prosecutions still active, though legal experts note that refiling could extend the process by many months.Mayes has positioned the prosecution as a defense of democratic norms, while critics argue it represents selective enforcement against Trump supporters.

Arizona AG Kris Mayes Seeks New Indictment in Trump 2020 Fake Electors Case | Latest Updates

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is dismissing the Trump 2020 fake electors case but plans to seek a new grand jury indictment after losing her Supreme Court appeal. Get the latest details on the procedural move, case background, and how it coincides with VP JD Vance’s Arizona visit today.