Hoffman, Petersen Refer Ortiz for Ethics Review

Senator Jake Hoffman has filed a formal ethics complaint against Senator Analise Ortiz in the aftermath of Ortiz notifying her constituents of an ongoing ICE action in her district on August 5, 2025, a practice that many call “doxxing.” Hoffman filed the formal ethics complaint, stating that Ortiz’s conduct demands accountability.

“Every law enforcement officer deserves to go home safe at the end of their shift. Every Arizona family deserves to know their elected leaders are protecting them, not siding with lawlessness,” said Hoffman. “Senator Ortiz’s behavior crosses every line of ethics, professionalism, and basic decency. When an elected official openly undermines law enforcement, puts lives at risk, and erodes the rule of law, there must be accountability. The people of Arizona expect and deserve better.”

In addition, Senate President Warren Petersen referred the matter to federal authorities.

“This is a very serious issue,” Petersen said to another news outlet. “A sitting state senator chose to broadcast the location of federal law enforcement operations. That is unacceptable, and it raises questions about whether she can continue to serve in this body.” Petersen added, “We have a responsibility to protect the safety of our law enforcement officers and to uphold the integrity of the Senate. The public deserves answers.”

However, the issue has sparked national outrage after the national social media account Libs of TikTok urged Arizonans to “call your senators” in support of expelling Ortiz after she posted the alert about ICE activity near a Phoenix school.

ATTENTION ARIZONA RESIDENTS

The Senate may EXPELL Democrat Rep Analise Ortiz after we exposed her for leaking and doxxing live ICE operations.

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR AND MAKE SURE THEY SUPPORT THIS

SHE MUST BE EXPELLED@votewarren @AZSenatorShamp@SenFrankCarroll @TJShope… https://t.co/CY99Yi6TRf pic.twitter.com/W6EperD5Fg

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 3, 2025

The Senate Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Shawnna Bolick, has received the referral. “I take this complaint very seriously. Doxxing federal ICE agents is not only reckless, it endangers lives and undermines the rule of law,” said Chairwoman Bolick. “The Senate Ethics Committee has not met this year, and before addressing the complaint, the committee must first adopt its operating rules. Once those rules are established, the committee will conduct a thorough review of the facts, strictly adhering to constitutional standards, as well as applicable state and local laws.” She continued, “This is an issue I do not take lightly, and I am committed to ensuring that it is handled with the full weight of the law and the Constitution. Until then, the process remains with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, whose review will inform the committee’s next steps.”

It is noteworthy that expulsion requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate, so it will take three Democrats to break ranks to be successful. The Libs of TikTok post only included Republican senators.

Ortiz has defended her post as constitutionally protected speech, stating that she was warning families in her community. Progressives have noted that Arizona’s doxxing laws apply to private information, not to law enforcement activity observed in public.

Still, Libs of TikTok’s amplification has elevated the controversy to a national stage. Petersen said the bar for expulsion is high but not off the table. “It would take a two-thirds vote of the Senate, which is a serious step,” Petersen said. “But when the actions of one senator endanger law enforcement and erode public trust, the Senate must consider every option.”

Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs weighed in after the controversy erupted, saying she would not support prosecuting Ortiz for her social media posts. “I understand her concerns,” Hobbs said. “And I’m not going to police her social media or what she posts, or anyone else. But we have really heightened potential for things to blow up like we saw recently in LA in particular. And I think we need to be cognizant of that.”