Hobbs Forbids Reporters When Sworn In As Arizona Governor

Daniel ChaitinJanuary 2, 2023

Katie Hobbs forbade reporters from covering her inauguration in Arizona on Monday.

The Democrat’s team allowed only a single photographer from the Associated Press into the room at the state Capitol while directing others to instead watch the event via live steam, according to local reporter Stacey Barchenger. The media were present outside the event.

“Arizona’s 24th governor, Katie Hobbs, assumed power at 10 a.m. on Monday and in her first official act, she decided to take the public’s business private. Not a great start,” tweeted Laurie Roberts, columnist for The Arizona Republic.

New year, new leadership in Arizona, new stakeouts because reporters aren’t allowed into the 10 a.m. swearing in of incoming Gov. @katiehobbs. Here’s @Adrian_Fontes Arrive for the joint swearing-in pic.twitter.com/ArWf8aWWfE

— Stacey Barchenger (@sbarchenger) January 2, 2023

Roberts wrote in a column that the restricted access prevented reporters from asking questions of the officials now leading the state. On Monday, Democrats Adrian Fontes and Kris Mayes were also elected to the office.

Roberts also mentioned Monday as a state holiday, and Hobbs will be attending a ceremonial inauguration Thursday. She added that Hobbs will still be in attendance at the ceremonial inauguration Thursday. “decided to take the public’s business private” Part of a celebratory event, her first official act funded by secret donors.

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Hobbs laughing during the oath ceremony was captured in a viral video. This prompted Kari Lake (the camp of Arizona Republican governoral nominee Kari) to rebuke Hobbs. gone to the courts To challenge her 2022 election defeat.

“This is one of the darkest moments in the history of Arizona. An illegitimate ‘Governor’ laughing in the face of our constitution. But it’s always darkest before the dawn. We will expose this fraud for the world to see. Justice is coming. [Hobbs] won’t be laughing then,” tweeted the Kari Lake War Room.

Timothy Sandefur, vice president for legal affairs at the Goldwater Institute, came to Hobbs’ defense, saying the full video Hobbs “was feeling emotional & made a little joke to her mother (holding the Bible) about how they were both getting choked up.”