Arizona's agricultural head made negative comments about Trump in 2020. Now he might be terminated

A farmer who made negative comments about President Donald Trump five years ago may now be terminated from his role as the head of the Arizona Department of Agriculture by legislative Republicans.

State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) is the head of a committee tasked with vetting Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ agency heads.

He took issue with Department of Agriculture Director Paul Brierley for what Hoffman called past liberal comments and viewpoints, including a Facebook post urging opposition to Trump that Brierley posted in 2020.

Hoffman questioned whether Brierley can be trusted to work with the federal government given those comments calling Trump a threat to America’s constitutional republic.

Hoffman said he knows United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins personally and that she’s loyal to Trump.

“So how can Arizona expect to work cooperatively and effectively with the federal government with over the top rhetoric that you've spewed out about the current President of the United States?” Hoffman asked.

“God willing, your over the top rhetoric and demonization of the greatest president in modern history won't affect our relationship with the, with the federal government,” Hoffman told Brierley.

Brierley defended himself, and says as agriculture director, he no longer makes political statements. But Republican lawmakers indicated they may not support his confirmation as a department head.

Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Phoenix) said people’s freedom to express political opinions and to change their minds should be protected.

“I just don't believe that that last line of questioning was really relevant to his ability to do the job in a productive manner to move our state forward in a positive direction and to move the department, continue moving the department in a positive direction,” Ortiz said.

Hoffman also accused Brierley of requesting statements of support from entities he regulates and trying to strongarm their support through fear of retribution.

Brierley acknowledged that he requested comments from people he works with, but said he didn’t put any pressure on anyone and the “fear of retribution” is false. He said he wouldn't do that.

The committee voted to recommend Brierley’s confirmation 3-2 with Sen. TJ Shope (R-Coolidge) voting “yes” alongside the committee’s two Democrats. But, Shope warned that he still has concerns.

The chicken and the egg problem

Republicans also took issue with Brierley over a rule regarding cage-free eggs.

A rule was set to go into effect soon through the agriculture department requiring all eggs in Arizona to be cage-free, but Hobbs delayed implementation of it last month because egg prices are so high and converting all facilities to cage free could have a negative impact on egg production and pricing.

Hoffman is not a fan of the cage-free egg rule, and he asked Brierley to pledge to get rid of it, but Brierley declined, although he said he’s not a fan of the rule either.

The issue is the center of a lawsuit brought by a Tucson restaurant owner.

What about Hobbs’ other agency heads?

The Senate Committee on Director Nominations also voted 5-0 on Thursday to recommend the confirmation of Industrial Commission of Arizona Director Gaetano Testini, but overall Hobbs’ nominees have had mixed success with the GOP-controlled chamber.

Also on Thursday, the Governor’s Office put out a press release knocking Republicans for not considering Hobbs’ pick to lead the Arizona Board of Regents within the one-year required timeframe.

Board of Regents prospective director Liz Archuleta said she’s disappointed to not get consideration.

“It is unfortunate that I have not been granted a hearing to discuss my qualifications to serve as the Regent for Northern Arizona. My track record for over 25 years centered on what is best for Arizona’s children, youth and communities. I am an innovative, consensus-building leader who has effectively worked across the aisle,” she said in a statement.

“It is a shame that the Senate refused to hear the nomination of Liz Archuleta, a fiscally conservative and fair-minded public servant and nonprofit leader, to the Arizona Board of Regents. This decision is a loss for higher education in Arizona and an affront to all Arizonans who care about higher education,” Hobbs said in a statement. “The relentless partisanship and political weaponization of the Senate confirmation process must be brought to an end. Liz Archuleta deserved a hearing, and Arizonans deserve an explanation,” she said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct that the committee voted to recommend Brierley’s confirmation 3-2 with Sen. TJ Shope voting “yes” alongside the committee’s two Democrats.