Katie Hobbs laughs while taking the oath of office

By 
 January 3, 2023

Arizona Democratic governor Katie Hobbs burst into laughter while taking the oath of office on Monday.

The outburst, which came as Hobbs was asked to repeat the words "that I will support the Constitution,” raised some eyebrows on social media amid lingering suspicions that the contentious governor's race was not on the level.

Hobbs laughs during oath

A video that Hobbs shared from the ceremony, which was not open to the public, showed Hobbs hesitating to say the words "do solemnly swear" before bursting into laughter as her visibly emotional mother fixed her gaze on the new governor, who shouted, "stop it!"

Hobbs' Republican opponent Kari Lake blasted Hobbs' behavior as immature and below the occasion, saying Hobbs "laughed and giggled throughout what was supposed to be a dignified process."

"Everyone enjoy your Banana Republic. And pray that a brave judge puts an end to this charade."

Kari Lake reacts

Lake also suggested that Hobbs was unable to suppress her elation at having "gotten away with" election fraud.

"Criminals traditionally have a feeling of euphoria when they think they've gotten away with a crime," Lake tweeted.

Lake was not successful in a lawsuit seeking a re-do of the election. The case was dismissed by a judge following a brief trial for lack of "clear and convincing" evidence of wrongdoing.

But Lake pledged that "justice" would be done, calling Hobbs an "illegitimate" governor who is "laughing in the face of our constitution."

Rigged?

Hobbs' narrow win was marred by widespread problems with voting on Election Day that Republicans allege disenfranchised their voters, to Hobbs' benefit. Ironically, Hobbs ran chiefly as a champion of election integrity against President Trump's "Big Lie" that the 2020 election was stolen.

Beyond voting issues, Hobbs was criticized for her obstinate refusal to debate Lake, despite bi-partisan pressure to do so. Many also saw a blatant conflict of interest in Hobbs' failure to recuse herself from overseeing the election in her role as Secretary of State.

In a statement, Hobbs said she would represent all Arizonans regardless of party but went on to say she would prioritize "reproductive freedom."

"As we look forward to a brighter future, I pledge that the needs of Arizonans — not partisan politics — will always come first," she said.

" A free people [claim] their rights, as derived from the laws of nature."
Thomas Jefferson
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