On May 1, 2026, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach skipped the annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial honoring fallen Kansas law enforcement officers to travel to Ireland. Instead of honoring fallen Kansas law enforcement at the ceremony, Kobach claimed he had a “scheduling conflict” and traveled to Ireland to “gather insights into dealing with hooligan fans during World Cup soccer events.” Kobach also traveled back to the U.S. in time to attend a Republican Attorneys General Association retreat at a resort in Sea Island, Georgia.
HEADLINE: "Kansas Attorney General Misses Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Event During Trip To Ireland" [Kansas Reflector, 5/11/26]
May 1, 2026: Kobach Missed The Annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Honoring Four Fallen Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Because He Traveled To Ireland To “Gather Insights Into Dealing With Hooligan Fans During World Cup Soccer Events.” According to the Kansas Reflector, "Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach was absent from the state’s ceremony May 1 honoring four Kansas law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty because he traveled to Ireland to gather insights into dealing with hooligan fans during World Cup soccer events. The solemn ceremony at the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial was attended by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, Gov. Laura Kelly, Kansas Highway Patrol Col. Erik Smith and hundreds of others who paid tribute to four of the state’s law enforcement officers who perished last year. Instead of participating in the service, Kobach traveled to Ireland with other elected officials associated with the U.S. Attorney General Alliance. Kobach’s replacement at the Topeka memorial was Tony Mattivi, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation." [Kansas Reflector, 5/11/26]
Kobach’s Spokesperson Said He Did Not Participate In The Ceremony Due To A “Scheduling Conflict.” According to the Kansas Reflector, “Danedri Herbert, spokeswoman for Kobach, said Kobach didn’t take part in the Kansas memorial ceremony because of the scheduling conflict. Kobach, who is seeking reelection as attorney general, previously attended funerals for each of the officers, she said." [Kansas Reflector, 5/11/26]
May 3-5, 2026: Kobach Left Ireland And Returned To The U.S. In Time To Participate In A Republican Attorney General Association Retreat At A Resort In Sea Island, Georgia. According to the Kansas Reflector, "She said Kobach departed Ireland in time to travel home to Kansas before flying to a resort in Sea Island, Georgia, to take part in a May 3-5 gathering of the Republican Attorney General Association. Kobach previously served as RAGA president and serves on its executive board. RAGA’s May retreat has served as a private gathering of Republican state attorneys general who collaborate with lobbyists and corporate leaders on political fundraising and legal agendas, CNBC says." [Kansas Reflector, 5/11/26]