Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted unanimously Aug. 26 to immediately remove Navajo Nation Acting Attorney General Kris Beecher, Esq., and to no longer recognize or approve him as the Acting Attorney General.
Introduced as an emergency measure, the legislation states that the lawful occupancy of the offices of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General directly affects the legal services essential to the operation of the Navajo Nation government and the defense of the Nation’s sovereign interests.
“Allowing an acting Attorney General to remain in office without a lawful appointment places every legal action, opinion, representation and determination made in the name of the Navajo Nation at risk,” legislation sponsor and Law and Order Committee Chairwoman Eugenia Charles-Newton said. “The uncertainty surrounding this individual’s authority to exercise the powers of the office presents a serious threat to the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation.”
The removal follows a series of unsuccessful appointments by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. Nygren initially recommended Beecher for Attorney General on Dec. 18, 2024, but the confirmation legislation was later withdrawn by its sponsor, with no final action taken.
Nygren again recommended Beecher on Oct. 22, and designated him as “Acting” Attorney General effective Oct. 23. The 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously rejected the second confirmation attempt on Nov. 26.
Following the Council’s decision not to confirm Beecher, Nygren recommended him for Attorney General a third time. However, a sponsor has not been identified to introduce confirmation legislation for Beecher’s appointment.
“The repeated recommendation of Beecher following the Council’s decision not to confirm him undermines the appointment and approval authority granted exclusively to the Council,” Charles-Newton said. “It also disrupts the balance of powers established between the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Navajo Nation government.”
The Navajo Nation Code doesn’t recognize the positions of acting or interim Attorney General. The legislation states that an individual whom the Council has declined to appoint and approve can’t lawfully serve in the Office of the Attorney General in any capacity, including as acting or interim Attorney General.
“The Council has determined that Kris Beecher, Esq., does not have the lawful authority to hold or exercise the powers of the Office of the Attorney General, and his continued occupation of that office is without the consent of the governing body of the Navajo Nation,” Charles-Newton said. “He doesn’t have the authority to represent himself as the Navajo Nation Attorney General in any capacity.”
The legislation directs Beecher to immediately vacate the Office of the Attorney General. Should he refuse, he may be subject to a charge of criminal trespass under 17 N.N.C. § 350.
The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted 16 in favor and none opposed to approve Legislation No. 0195-26, formally removing Kris Beecher as Acting Attorney General for the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation Council serves as final authority for the legislation
