The state’s top prosecutor is looking into whether the remarks constitute a “death threat”

Arizona, one of seven key swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, has launched a criminal investigation into former president Donald Trump’s remarks targeting former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney.

The investigation was unexpectedly announced on Friday by the state’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, during the taping of a local news program.

“I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizona’s laws,” the AG said.

Threatening or intimidating another person could be classified as a Class 6 felony under Grand Canyon State law, meaning Trump would face up to 6 years in prison given his prior felony convictions.

“I’m not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasn’t,” Mayes, a Democrat, told 12News, “but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state.”

While being interviewed by Tucker Carlson in Glendale on Thursday, the Republican nominee lashed out at his longtime foe, calling her a “radical war hawk,” and suggesting she should face a firing squad.

“Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her,” Trump told the former Fox News host. “Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.”

Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House Director of Communications under Trump, called for his former boss to be arrested immediately for his comments.

“Trump should be taken into custody,” Scaramucci tweeted. “He is a convicted felon and just violated the conditions of his bail agreement by threatening someone’s life. He needs to be sent away.”