Last week we reported that Rudy Guiliani called and texted Arizona officials regarding the counting ballots and certain county officials received calls from the White House leaving messages making the same request. Now, at least some Arizona politicians are now demanding the obvious next step, an investigation, one which could start a cascade of consequences, even if Trump is never prosecuted in Arizona.

On Wednesday, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, asked Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich to open a criminal investigation into the possible efforts by Donald Trump and his allies in an attempt to influence Maricopa County’s Board of Supervisors as the ballots were still being tallied. The fact that the Trump team targeted Maricopa County says a great deal. It is the state’s largest county, with the most POC.

According to AZ Central:

Hobbs said some of the communications “involve clear efforts to induce supervisors to refuse to comply with their duties,” which could violate Arizona law. She cited The Arizona Republic’s reporting last week on text messages and voicemails from the White House, Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, and Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward to the Republican members of the Board of Supervisors.

Right now, no one is in a position to determine whether charges should be filed, which would require a full investigation. There certainly is enough evidence in the public domain to require an investigation. Unfortunately, it will likely never happen, at least not a legitimate one. Everything is political now and Arizona’s Attorney General Mark Brnovich is one of the least likely to institute a strong, serious, investigation:

Brnovich, a Republican, is running for the U.S. Senate next year. Trump has criticized Brnovich for not supporting the state Senate’s ongoing ballot review. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an Arizona law Brnovich defended that makes voting more difficult, something he has cast as part of his commitment to preserving election integrity.

It is not going to happen, at least at the state level. But the announcements, the coverage, and releasing evidence, are important. There is also a doctrine known as “selective prosecution” that Brnovich will have to at least make an effort to avoid,. The more intense the demand, the more intense the pressure put on other Arizonan politicians. Arizona is a purple state now.

Oh, and Arizona has a U.S. Attorney, one appointed by Biden, who answers to Merrick Garland. An obvious violation of federal law might actually get investigated, perhaps even charged.

This is a fantastic step forward.

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