Navajo Nation Council Ousts Attorney General Ethel Branch from Office

The Navajo Nation Council made a pivotal decision on Monday, voting 13-6 to remove Attorney General Ethel Branch during a special session. The legislative measure, titled Legislation 0242-24, was introduced by Law and Order Committee Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton. Notably, the bill did not specify the reasons for Branch’s dismissal.

This legislative action was fast-tracked onto a consent agenda and was approved without any formal discussion on the council floor. According to Title II of the Navajo Nation Code, the attorney general serves at the discretion of the Navajo Nation Council, although the attorney general is typically appointed by the nation’s president with council confirmation.

Following Branch’s removal, the deputy attorney general will fill the interim position until a permanent replacement is nominated by the tribal president and approved by the council. Heather L. Clah, the current Deputy Attorney General, will take on this role. Clah brings extensive experience to the position, having previously served as corporate attorney for the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and as legal counsel for former President Ben Shelly.

Reacting to her ousting, Branch took to Facebook to rally her supporters, urging them to voice their opposition to the council’s decision. “Thank you to the kind individuals who believe in fairness, due process, and stability of the Navajo Nation,” she wrote, alluding to perceived injustices in her removal.

Branch, who hails from Leupp and is a Harvard Law School graduate, previously served as attorney general from 2015 to 2019 under former President Russell Begaye. Her recent removal follows the release of a preliminary investigation report addressing sexual harassment allegations made by Vice President Richelle Montoya against President Buu Nygren, which concluded that the claims were “not warranted.”

President Nygren expressed disappointment regarding the council’s decision, labeling it an indication of political instability within the Navajo Nation government. He criticized the lack of explanation for Branch’s termination, stating that it sends a troubling message about the reliability of governance. Nygren also voiced concerns that her removal could hinder important initiatives, such as the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act.

“Attorney General Branch has done an exemplary job that was clearly unappreciated by this council,” Nygren asserted, underscoring his commitment to the integrity of governance within the Navajo Nation.

***UPDATED: This story has been updated with comments from President Buu Nygren.