MAGA hates Arizona Gov. Hobbs more than it loves the Grand Canyon
It is not difficult to understand why members of the MAGA cult are not fond of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Even, hate Hobbs.
The governor believes in honoring her oath of office and not worshiping at the altar of Donald Trump, which is how it goes in a cult.
Because of that, Hobbs has vetoed a number of bills passed by the Trump-glorifying, Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature, bills passed almost entirely by lawmakers wanting to demonstrate their fealty to their Dear Leader more than provide any benefit to the state.
Still, I was willing to believe that at least some of those lawmakers and at least some of the president's devotees loved Arizona more than they hated Hobbs.
But, maybe not.
That became clear this week when Hobbs criticized the decision by co-President Elon Musk to take his cost-cutting chainsaw to the National Park Service.
Roughly 1,000 park service employees were dumped from what advocates believe is an already understaffed operation.
Because of the cuts, Saguaro National Park in Tucson announced that it was closing its two visitors centers on Mondays.
And there are now big traffic back-ups and long delays getting into the Grand Canyon, not only the nation's second most visited park but a major economic engine for a vacation destination state like Arizona.
In addition to laying off a number of park employees, the loss of staff included employees working to replace a 12.5-mile pipeline that provides water for all facilities on the park's South Rim.
And it led Rick Mossman, president of the Association of National Park Rangers, to say, 'These actions will hurt visitors and the parks they traveled to see across the United States… . If a visitor suffers a medical emergency while hiking in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, ranger response could be delayed.'So, Governor Hobbs, coming to the defense of our state, as a governor should, issued a statement saying, 'This is a slap in the face for Arizonans and all who love to come here.
'Last year, nearly 5 million people visited Grand Canyon National Park. The Trump administration's removal of essential workers undermines our economy and ability to showcase one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.'
Hobbs had our state's back, for which MAGAs would stab hers.
For a time earlier this week, Hobbs was trending on X, formerly Twitter, and not much of what was said about her online is suitable for a family publication.
Like, for example, 'Shut the (blank) up.'
Also, 'Slap in the face for Arizonans?! I'm calling the kettle black with you.'
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And, 'You are an embarrassment to Arizonans. Your day is coming … and soon.'
And, 'They can't get rid of you fast enough. Worst governor in the 40 years I've lived here.'
It went on and on. And on.
I'm sure the governor is used to it by now and expected catcalls from the anonymous mob. (I have some experience in this area and know the drill.)
Even so, she did her job. She came to the defense of the state she was elected to serve, which houses one of the world's greatest natural wonders, a mysterious, magical Grand Canyon 70 million years in the making.
And, though MAGAs may not believe it, Trump is not that grand and won't last that long.
Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon might not survive Park Service layoffs or MAGA | Opinion
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