WINDOW ROCK — In the spirit of k’é and cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren announced the nomination of JoAnn Jayne to serve as Attorney General and Kris Beecher to serve as Deputy Attorney General of the Navajo Nation.
The nominations follow the Navajo Nation Council’s August 24, 2026, approval of Legislation 0195-26 and Legislation 0196-26, which did not confirm Beecher and Jayne from their acting positions.
“People have asked for my position on the Council’s resolutions,” President Nygren said. “Mr. Beecher and Ms. Jayne issued a press release explaining their legal conclusion that those resolutions are invalid and unenforceable because of procedural and separation-of-powers concerns, including an existing temporary restraining order. I have no reason to disagree with their legal analysis.”
DOJ maintains that the Council improperly classified the measures as emergency legislation, denying the Navajo people the required public comment period. DOJ also raised concerns that the Council approved the measures without debate and without providing Beecher and Jayne an opportunity to respond.
Despite those legal concerns, President Nygren considered the Council’s comments and decided to submit new nominations in an effort to maintain stability within the government and to move the Navajo Nation government forward.
“I have heard the Council,” President Nygren said. “And in the spirit of working together and finding a path forward, I am making these new nominations. These are qualified Navajo legal professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law, accountability and the protection of Navajo sovereignty.
“In addition, this Council has taken the unprecedented action of removing two attorneys general. Then they voted down two attorneys general – all Navajos, all relatives. The Council did not debate the removals or the votes against these relatives. The Council did not follow our traditions of Baa yati’. They considered two legislations under emergencies so that I could not comment. This shows that the Council has not and will not support my appointees.”
Jayne has served as Acting Deputy Attorney General since December 2025, and Beecher has served as Acting Attorney General since October 2025. Both have already served in DOJ leadership longer than the time remaining in the current Administration and Council terms.
“We only have about 130 days remaining,” President Nygren said. “JoAnn Jayne and Kris Beecher have served in these leadership positions longer than the time we have left in office. Removing them now and creating another transition would only produce more uncertainty and instability at a time when the Navajo Nation needs experienced and steady leadership.”
President Nygren called upon the Council to give both nominees a fair, transparent and public confirmation process.
But he said the bigger question can no longer be ignored: “Why does Speaker Curley and the Council appear to be so afraid of an independent Attorney General?”
In its press release, the Acting AG and Acting Deputy AG warned that the Council’s repeated removal of its leadership, attempts to eliminate funding for the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General positions, and efforts to defund the Nation’s litigation account “appear to be an attempt to stop on-going investigations of certain legislative programs and legislative officials.”
“That should alarm every Navajo citizen,” President Nygren said. “Why is the Council repeatedly targeting the very officials responsible for investigating government misconduct? What is the Council trying to stop — and what is it afraid DOJ may uncover?”
President Nygren said he has faced investigations throughout his Administration and has cooperated fully with all investigations.
“I have welcomed investigations because no elected official is above accountability,” President Nygren said. “Speaker Curley and Council delegates should do the same. If there is nothing to hide, why fear an independent investigation?”
The President said the Council’s repeated actions against Attorneys General and independent oversight officials demand answers.
“How many Attorneys General must be rejected or removed before the Navajo people ask why?” President Nygren said. “Who is watching the Council? Who is investigating its programs and officials? Why does the Council keep targeting the people with the authority to ask hard questions and follow the evidence wherever it leads?”
President Nygren said the new nominations give the Council an opportunity to prove that it supports transparency rather than fears it.
“With so little time left, the Speaker and Council should be focused on delivering hardship assistance and serving the Navajo people — not destabilizing the Department of Justice,” President Nygren said. “I have presented a path forward. Now Speaker Curley and the Council must decide whether they will support an independent DOJ or continue trying to weaken it.”
