Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) told Axios this week that Democrats should be “tough on crime,” touting her deployment of the National Guard to Española and Albuquerque while attempting to contrast her approach with that of former President Donald Trump.
“I think Democrats ought to be tough on crime,” Lujan Grisham told Axios. “But being tough on crime does not mean that you are breaching people’s constitutional rights, like free speech.”
The governor insisted that her deployments were cooperative measures with local governments, adding, “The difference between Trump and me is that I’m working with local authorities and not imposing my will on them to fight crime.”
But critics quickly pointed out the irony. Lujan Grisham has repeatedly breached constitutional rights during her time in office. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she imposed sweeping unilateral mandates on businesses, churches, and gatherings that shuttered much of the state and drew legal challenges. More recently, she attempted to suspend New Mexicans’ constitutional right to bear arms in Bernalillo County and Albuquerque through a controversial executive order. That order was immediately struck down by a federal judge appointed by Joe Biden, who reminded the governor that constitutional rights cannot simply be erased by executive fiat.
At the time of that order, Lujan Grisham defended her move with the shocking claim: “No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute.” That led to calls for impeachment and an effort by state Reps. Stefani Lord and John Block have continued to propose impeaching her, a measure they have brought forward at each legislative session.
That statement has continued to haunt the governor, particularly as she now attempts to position herself as a defender of constitutional rights while deploying state military forces into communities plagued by violence. Albuquerque, for example, ranks among the most dangerous cities in the world, with crime levels rivaling cities like Caracas, Mogadishu, and Tijuana.
The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association blasted Lujan Grisham’s Axios comments on social media, writing:
“In September 2023, @GovMLG tried to nullify the Second Amendment in Bernalillo County through executive order in the name of ‘fighting crime.’ We had to sue her immediately to stop her flagrantly unconstitutional actions.”
Other New Mexicans also expressed outrage. Rose Griswold wrote in response: “Breaching people’s constitutional rights is A-okay when it’s their 2nd Amendment rights, though, huh Michelle?”
The governor’s remarks highlight a growing political divide over crime policy as Democrats like Lujan Grisham and California’s Gavin Newsom attempt to recast themselves as “tough” without embracing the effective enforcement strategies associated with Trump and Republicans. However, her record of executive overreach and constitutional violations complicates her messaging.
As violent crime continues to plague New Mexico—particularly Albuquerque—Lujan Grisham faces mounting criticism not only for failing to curb lawlessness, but also for attempting to erode rights in the name of public safety as her final years as governor come to a close. Her claim that she differs from Trump because she “works with local authorities” — completely untrue — may do little to reassure New Mexicans who remember her sweeping mandates, restrictions, and failed attempts to suspend fundamental liberties.
Move over, MLG, and let the expert ( Trump) handle crime in Albuquerque.
Crickets John… silenced Democrat or Dead crickets…
Grisham, you’re ABSOLUTELY wrong.
Impeach Grisham!
According to MLG, I’d like to know how can you mix and blend Free Speech and crime? Her ‘logic’ is so screwed up it’s no longer funny. Working with Locals? That’s a laugh. In her little fiefdom, it’s Her way or NO WAY, NM is her domain and she rules it with an iron fist and hammer, and American and local citizens be damned. She cares NOTHING for those she is supposed to represent AND GOT HER ELECTED.
6 years too late! MLG IS THE CRIMINAL AND NEEDS TO BE IMPEACHED!!!!
did you see the latest from NM ? NM ignoring RFK advice on covid vax not to give it to children and most healthy people. NM says you can vax your newborn or teenager and give them heart problems, turbo cancer, or whatever else the vax does to people . all to fight a disease that is no more than a cold at this point. dems REFUSE to follow any law or rule they dont like, BUT WILL JAIL YOU if you dont follow the laws they approve of. this state needs sued to stop this abuse of our children
Trump is the Troll King. The dems are in total disarray and they are reacting to everything he does because his policies work. The Communist MSM can not hide anything anymore. Trump owns the dems everywhere.
gun control-******, ru faster than Pb?
MLG is a mental midget
Youre absolutely right, Cesar. NM is determined to keep its citizens poor, dumb and sick. So sad.
Tip toe through tulips. Watch. We will not hear from
The Dems at this point.
The article states she used mandates. I say she used dictates therefore she is nothing less than a dictator and tyrant.
I have lived here for 40 years in Albuquerque. My wife was murdered here. The COVID Bioterror Incident put me out of business. The homeless situation is included in a long list of harms that have been done to New Mexico by all levels of societies institutions. Government is not government any longer, it is a criminal syndicate. Elections are rigged digitally to place criminals into office. The political parties and supporting organizations, such as Emerge recruit useful idiots and criminals(MLG) for selection( not election) into office( 80 percent of the NM Legislature). The solution to homelessness, flooding of illegal immigrants, poisonous shots, drugs, lockdowns, endless propaganda and lies, fake money, lawless judges, stupid laws, endless conflicts of interest, human trafficking and child molestation( the Epstein Ranch, Moriarty) and abuse is the removal of the people responsible or just exiting and building a better life somewhere else. Homeless people will lose 30 years of life being here, you will lose 10 years or more of life here. This is what the bad actors want and MLG. MLG is not legitimately elected she is an imposter foisted upon us by a criminal system.
I lived here in Albuquerque during my high school and college years, and then started my career in printing here. I used to walk the whole area of Albuquerque any time day or night and never had a problem. Then I moved away, and came back 35 years later to this “mess” the Demonorats here in NM have caused, and during this whole time have blamed everything but themselves for the problems. Now You try to walk around Albuquerque, and your likely to end up in a morgue or a hospital.
I see the comments here, and am overjoyed to see people finally waking up to the horrible leadership this once beautiful city and state have. The idea that the democrats have “rightfully” ruled this state is a farce, and they have made the government here a complete criminal organization that does nothing but blame the republicans and the people for everything that they themselves have wrought. I can only hope that the people of NM stop voting in these criminals to office and start voting in people who will finally start bringing this state back to greatness, that the democrats here have destroyed.
First all rights are absolute! The founders were clear from James Otis jr., John Dickinson, to James Madison. Those that say other seek arbitrary power usurping our rights which is tyrannical. This is treason pursuant to internal insurrection. New Mexicans are not taking this serious enough. Second the founders criticized and did not want a standing army. As government would use a standing army to expand power and control the citizens. The solution is a all citizens should be armed and are to defend themselves and their property. Both Trump and Grisham are violating their oaths, the constitution and are in breach of their duty, and contract. The fault lies with us. Both federalist and anti federalist agreed, we are to nullify and not comply, and defend our natural rights from ANYBODY who steals or violates them.
Todd, finally someone who see’s what is really taking place.
I’m surprised no one caught this error in the lead of the article:
“… while attempting to contrast her approach with that of former President Donald Trump.”
Former President Trump?