Attorney General Kris Mayes sent a pointed letter to the Arizona congressional delegation this week, pushing back hard against President Trump's Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Mayes expressed deep concern over the budget plan, which involves slashing a hefty 35% from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, along with shifting the program's oversight from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to the Department of Justice.
"The Trump budget proposal would defund local law enforcement, weaken our ability to interdict narcotics, and give the upper hand to the drug cartels," Mayes stated in her letter. This sentiment, echoed through her words, emphasizes the potential danger she believes those cuts pose, particularly to Arizona's ongoing battle with the devastating fentanyl crisis. The HIDTA program is integral, supporting collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, which culminated in substantial narcotics seizures in Arizona during 2024. According to the Arizona Attorney General's Office, these law enforcement efforts yielded more than 83 million fentanyl pills and over 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl powder last year, accounting for around half of the nation’s total fentanyl seizures.
In her plea to Congress, Mayes implored representatives to take a firm stand against the proposed cuts. "Now is not the time to pull the rug out from under law enforcement," Mayes continued. She argues that with Arizona witnessing progress in combating opioid abuse, reducing HIDTA’s budget would be a significant blow, potentially undoing recent advancements in curbing drug trafficking and abuse. The tone of urgency in her message to Congress aligns with the reality faced on the ground by law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
The Attorney General's opposition to the proposed budget is part of a broader advocacy for robust federal support of anti-drug trafficking efforts. Along with throwing her support behind the HIDTA Enhancement Act introduced by Senator Mark Kelly, Mayes has also appealed to the DEA to reinstate pivotal resources in Arizona. "I expect the federal government to do everything in its power to support the efforts of Arizona law enforcement,” Mayes underlined, reflecting her stance on what is required at a federal level for an effective response to this crisis. Her letter stands as a testament to the gravity of the situation and an appeal for congressional intervention against the proposed budgetary reductions.
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