Piñon Post

Body cam video: Illegal alien trucker escaped NM traffic stop, then killed 3

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Newly released bodycam footage shows illegal immigrant truck driver Harjinder Singh struggling with English during a July 3 traffic stop in New Mexico — a detail that has become central in the debate over his role in a Florida crash that killed three people.

The video captures Singh being pulled over by a New Mexico State Police trooper for allegedly driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. Singh appears remorseful as he accepts the ticket, but the exchange later turns difficult when the officer struggles to understand his broken English.

“What’s that?” the trooper asks, before telling Singh, “I’m sorry, I guess I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Singh responds, “Maybe in this, this my ticket, on my license, how many years?” The officer then explains the citation would likely remain on his record for five to seven years.

Singh’s lack of English proficiency has become a flashpoint since federal regulators revealed he failed a Department of Transportation (DOT) English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment after the fatal crash in Fort Pierce, Florida. He reportedly answered just two of twelve questions correctly and identified only one of four road signs. Critics are now questioning how he was able to operate a commercial truck at all.

The DOT said officers nationwide were required to conduct language checks during roadside inspections as of June 25. Singh, however, was not tested for proficiency during the July 3 stop. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had earlier warned, “A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period.”

New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler pushed back on suggestions that his agency failed to follow the new guidelines. He said federal officials issued broad rules without a standardized process, leaving state agencies to create their own compliance procedures.

“When State Police sought clarification, the response received was simply, ‘You know when somebody doesn’t speak English,’” Weisler explained. He emphasized that New Mexico developed training and kept federal regulators informed prior to the Florida crash.

Weisler also insisted the July 3 encounter would not have triggered a test: “As the video of the traffic stop demonstrates, there were no communication issues between Mr. Singh and the officer. Therefore, there would have been no reason to initiate an ELP assessment.”

Singh, 28, was arrested after allegedly making an illegal U-turn in Florida that caused a multi-vehicle collision and three deaths. Authorities say he entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, and his licensing history is now under investigation.

According to the DOT, Singh obtained a full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington in 2023, despite laws prohibiting illegal immigrants from doing so. He was later issued a limited-term, non-domiciled CDL in California in 2024, raising further questions about whether federal regulations were properly followed.

Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and extradited to Florida to face prosecution.

Body cam video: Illegal alien trucker escaped NM traffic stop, then killed 3 Read More »

‘Beautiful, safe, humane’: Lawmakers tour Otero ICE facility, Dems livid

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Lawmakers from across New Mexico toured the Otero County Processing Center on Monday, describing it as one of the most modern, clean, and humane immigration detention facilities in the country. The visit comes as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham considers legislation to ban ICE facilities statewide. This move would cost hundreds of rural jobs and tens of millions in local revenue.

Sen. Crystal Brantley (R–Elephant Butte), who helped arrange the visit after months of delays and cancellations by Democrat leadership, said the facility was “very transparent” and showed a high standard of care. “It’s important that legislators see these operations firsthand,” Brantley said. “We’re talking about over 500 jobs on the line and the safety of our communities. The facility was clean, well-run, and detainees were clearly receiving proper medical care, meals, and recreation.”

Rep. John Block (R–Alamogordo) contrasted Otero’s facility with what he described as “makeshift” conditions in El Paso. “If we don’t have this very nice, humane facility in New Mexico, you just drive 10 minutes and you’re in El Paso, where migrants are packed into an ad hoc center. What we saw in Otero is beautiful, humane, and far better than the alternative,” Block said.

Lawmakers observed spacious housing units decorated with murals of destinations like Tahiti and the Maldives, a meditation hallway complete with plants and waterfalls, and shaded outdoor areas large enough for entire units. Recreation facilities include basketball courts, Zumba classes, crochet and music programs, and detainees also have access to PlayStation consoles, a barber shop/beauty salon, and a non-denominational chapel. Meals are dietician-approved and tailored for kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-sensitive diets.

Rep. Gail Armstrong (R–Magdalena) praised staff professionalism. “The facility was clean, well maintained, and detainees are treated with dignity,” Armstrong said. “Closing Otero would devastate our communities, including more than 300 jobs in Otero County alone.”

While Republicans and facility staff emphasized transparency, left-wing groups and activists condemned the tour as “sanitized.” The ACLU of New Mexico issued a statement calling it “theater” and demanding the passage of the so-called “Immigrant Safety Act” to close the state’s facilities. But Republicans pushed back, noting that legislators had full access to the operation.

Only one Democrat, Rep. Andrea Romero (D–Santa Fe), joined the tour — and promptly claimed she saw detainees “lying in despair” despite the apparent presence of recreation areas and amenities. Romero admitted that most detainees have no criminal history — before illegally crossing the country’s border — but downplayed the resources available, suggesting the facility put on a “rosy picture.” She also erroneously claimed these illegal aliens committed “civil” violations, although a 1996 law passed by Congress during the Bill Clinton administration makes crossing the border illegally a crime, not a “civil” violation.

Republicans and local officials countered that Romero misrepresented what she saw, ignoring access to attorneys, phones, law libraries, and recreation.

Sen. Nicholas Paul (R–Alamogordo) said the visit confirmed that closing Otero should not be a priority. “This facility is safe, clean, and humane. Shutting it down would be purely political,” Paul said.

Otero officials noted the facility also generates millions in gross receipts tax revenue and supports bond financing for local governments, making it a cornerstone of the county’s economy.

The bottom line, according to Brantley: “ICE will do its job no matter what. The choice is whether detainees are held in a clean, safe, accountable facility here in New Mexico, or somewhere else where we have no oversight at all.”

‘Beautiful, safe, humane’: Lawmakers tour Otero ICE facility, Dems livid Read More »

MLG’s office throws fit over Pres. Trump using National Guard to protect NM

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald Trump’s effort to secure America’s borders and crack down on illegal immigration has once again sent Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham into a tailspin. As Fox News revealed Friday, the Pentagon is preparing to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops from 19 states — including New Mexico — to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in processing and detaining illegal migrants.

The deployments are expected to run from mid-August through mid-November, with the largest share of forces headed to Texas. Documents show Guard members will be tasked with critical support duties such as case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical work. That includes booking detainees by collecting fingerprints, DNA samples, and photographs. The move provides ICE with badly needed manpower while ensuring the Guard’s role remains within the law.

But while Republican governors like Utah’s Spencer Cox expressed openness to supporting the mission, Lujan Grisham quickly announced she would oppose any deployment of Guard troops for immigration enforcement inside New Mexico.

“Gov. Lujan Grisham would oppose the deployment of National Guard troops to New Mexico to conduct immigration raids, and she certainly wouldn’t order ours up for that purpose,” her spokesperson Michael Coleman wrote. He claimed such enforcement would “terrorize communities, break up families and harm local economies.”

The governor’s familiar rhetoric is nothing new. Lujan Grisham has long resisted immigration enforcement efforts while insisting Congress should pass sweeping legislation to “fix” the system, despite her spending years in Congress without even an attempt at fixing the issue. Previously in her administration, she flatly denied the existence of a border crisis and removed National Guard troops from helping secure the border, which her predecessor, Republican former Gov. Susana Martinez, had previously deployed.

Lujan Grisham’s office tried to soften the blow by noting she has requested additional federal personnel and technology to help combat drug trafficking. But her refusal to support the use of the Guard — even for clerical and logistical duties — once again puts her at odds with Trump’s efforts to restore law and order.

New Mexico’s border with Mexico stretches roughly 180 miles, much of it sparsely populated and on federal land. About 50 miles of the state’s border had no barrier at the close of the Joe Biden regime. The most active areas, around Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, are already under heightened federal patrols. Bringing in Guard troops to assist ICE would only strengthen security and relieve overburdened officers. Yet the governor would rather score political points with her party’s base than cooperate with Washington to keep New Mexicans safe.

By contrast, Cox, Utah’s Republican governor, acknowledged the president’s authority and signaled his willingness to contribute. “As a dual-authority state, like others, the federal government does have the opportunity to call up the National Guard. The president has that authority,” Cox said. “What we’ve said from the very beginning is this: We are willing to work to support the efforts to remove people who are here illegally.”

The difference is stark. While Republican governors see the value of supporting federal enforcement, New Mexico’s governor predictably digs in her heels, attacking Trump’s strategy instead of helping to secure her own state.

Once again, Lujan Grisham is more concerned with protecting her political talking points than safeguarding her constituents. Meanwhile, Trump is doing what he promised — mobilizing every resource necessary to enforce America’s immigration laws and safeguard New Mexico’s communities.

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In border crackdown, Trump mobilizing National Guard in NM, other states

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Pentagon has confirmed that National Guard units in New Mexico will be mobilized in the coming weeks to support federal immigration enforcement, part of a broader 19-state activation ordered by the Trump administration to combat illegal immigration and related crime.

Documents obtained by FOX News show up to 1,700 Guardsmen nationwide will assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The mobilizations, effective from late August through mid-November, will occur in states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New Mexico. Texas is expected to see the largest deployment, but New Mexico’s presence will play a critical role in supporting facilities such as the Otero County Processing Center and other ICE operations across the border region.

A White House official emphasized the deployments had been planned before President Trump’s recent comments about expanding federal law enforcement initiatives seen in Washington, D.C., to other parts of the country. “This isn’t new nor is it tied to the President’s efforts to address violent crime in DC,” the official said. Instead, the Pentagon says the deployments are designed to help DHS with “clerical support and other logistical tasks for processing illegal aliens at ICE facilities.”

In practice, Guard members in New Mexico and other states will not conduct direct law enforcement but will serve as vital support personnel. According to a U.S. defense official, duties will include case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical functions. “The in-and-out processing may include personal data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing and photographing of personnel in ICE custody,” the official said.

While opponents have criticized the deployments as an expansion of military involvement in immigration enforcement, the Pentagon points out that these missions fall under Title 32 Section 502F authority. That means Guardsmen remain under the control of their governors but can provide support functions without violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts active military involvement in civilian law enforcement.

The mobilization comes as New Mexico Democrats, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, face pressure over their handling of ICE facilities in the state. The governor recently declined an invitation from Republican lawmakers to tour the Otero County Processing Center, citing a “busy schedule,” while her allies in the Legislature consider measures to ban such facilities outright. If enacted, the ban would eliminate hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in revenue for rural counties like Otero, Torrance, and Cibola — even as federal immigration enforcement expands and detainee populations continue to grow.

President Trump has made clear that these actions are part of his broader mission to restore law and order nationwide. Addressing federal agents and Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., he said: “We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to then go on to other places.” On Friday, he added, “I think Chicago will be our next. And then we’ll help with New York.”

For New Mexico, the deployment means its Guard units will be directly integrated into the federal effort, supporting ICE’s case management and detention operations at a time when illegal border crossings are down and enforcement is ramping up. DHS has praised the Guard’s role as both a logistical backbone and a visible deterrent.

As the mobilizations roll out, the question for New Mexico is twofold: will the governor cooperate with federal partners to ensure a smooth mission, and will the Legislature jeopardize rural economies by targeting the very detention facilities where these Guard units are now preparing to serve?

In border crackdown, Trump mobilizing National Guard in NM, other states Read More »

Jobs on the line: Dems won’t even step inside the ICE facilities they want to ban

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declined Republican lawmakers’ invitation to tour New Mexico’s largest immigration detention facility, citing a “busy schedule,” even as her party faces mounting criticism for canceling a long-promised legislative tour of the same center.

Republican legislators Rep. Andrea Reeb and Sen. Crystal Brantley had invited the governor to join them on Monday at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, where an average of 863 detainees are currently held. But the governor’s spokesperson, Michael Coleman, brushed aside the request. “The governor has a busy schedule on Monday and won’t be joining in the tour,” he said, adding that no final decision has been made yet on whether the governor will seek to include a statewide ban on ICE facilities in her upcoming special session call.

The refusal coincides with a new controversy surrounding the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee (CCJ), which abruptly canceled its own long-planned visit to Otero. Records show the cancellation followed objections from Vice-Chair Christine Chandler (D–Los Alamos), a vocal opponent of ICE facilities. Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D–Las Cruces) has since issued two conflicting explanations, raising further questions about the real motivation.

In his most recent statement — circulated after Brantley arranged her own visit — Cervantes said the Otero stop was “not a sanctioned CCJ activity” and claimed Otero County could not “assure cooperation from ICE.” He also cited logistical concerns involving transportation, meals, and timing.

But in an earlier message to colleagues, Cervantes gave a different story. He claimed ICE had “not returned phone calls” and suggested committee members might be required to submit to background checks as a condition of entry — something he said “some members might reasonably object to.” In the same message, he admitted canceling the tour “in consultation with Rep. Chandler.” Background checks are standard for such tours, and using that as an excuse is objectively farcical.

Ironically, Chandler’s district has the most to lose if the move to attempt to shutter ICE facilities prompts the federal government to pull out of the vehemently hostile New Mexico, as her district encompasses Los Alamos National Labs, worth billions in revenue to the state. She still appears to want to poke the bear and anger the Trump administration, despite the consequences.

The shifting accounts have fueled accusations that Cervantes’ claims about ICE were little more than cover for partisan politics. Republicans note that Brantley successfully scheduled her own tour with a simple request, undermining the narrative that access was impossible. They argue the cancellation was prompted not by logistics, but by left-wing protests and internal opposition.

Instead of seeing the facility firsthand, Democrats on the committee have reworked the agenda to hear from Otero County commissioners, the governor’s staff, and proponents of legislation banning ICE contracts. Critics say this one-sided approach silences the voices of employees, families, and local officials who depend on the facilities.

The economic stakes are significant. According to federal data, Otero houses an average of 863 detainees daily, Torrance 444, and Cibola 223 — more than 1,500 people statewide. Together, these facilities sustain hundreds of jobs for correctional officers, medical personnel, and support staff. They also pump tens of millions of dollars into rural county budgets through federal contracts. Closing them would cripple local economies already struggling with limited revenue streams.

Moreover, closing facilities in New Mexico would not end immigration detention — detainees would simply be transferred elsewhere, including facilities in Texas, Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” or even Guantanamo Bay. For New Mexico, that would mean all the economic loss without changing federal enforcement practices.

Republicans insist it is irresponsible to even begin to debate shutting down detention centers without lawmakers — and the governor — even setting foot inside to see operations firsthand. “Before we take any action with such far-reaching implications, it is essential that we have a clear understanding of the conditions within these facilities,” Reeb and Brantley wrote in their invitation to the governor.

While Democrats point to scheduling conflicts, logistical issues, and background check requirements, Republicans are moving forward with their tour on Monday. They say the public deserves transparency, and that decisions of this magnitude should be made with facts, not political spin.

For now, the contrast is sharp: Republicans are willing to confront the issue directly, while the governor and her legislative allies decline to see the facilities they are proposing to close — leaving New Mexico communities to wonder how their livelihoods and budgets will be protected if those doors are shuttered.

Jobs on the line: Dems won’t even step inside the ICE facilities they want to ban Read More »

Fatal oversight: New Mexico failed to enforce law, now 3 are dead

28 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The U.S. Department of Transportation is blasting multiple states, including New Mexico, for failing to follow federal trucking rules that could have prevented a deadly crash in Florida earlier this month. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Tuesday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched a full investigation into the crash, which killed three people, and preliminary findings directly implicate New Mexico.

“This cannot happen again,” Duffy said, calling the tragedy a direct result of state negligence. “If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel and three precious lives would still be with us. The failures here are despicable.”

The crash involved a driver working for White Hawk Carriers, Inc. According to FMCSA investigators, the driver did not speak English and failed a federally required English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment. Out of 12 verbal questions, he answered only two correctly and could identify just one of four highway traffic signs.

Despite these deficiencies, the driver managed to secure licenses in three different states. Washington State improperly issued him a full-term Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in 2023, even though asylum seekers and illegal aliens are not eligible. California later issued a limited-term CDL in 2024, which is now under federal review.

But perhaps most troubling, New Mexico State Police stopped the driver on July 3, 2025, for speeding. During that roadside inspection, officers issued a ticket but did not administer the English proficiency assessment — even though federal rules requiring ELP enforcement as an “out-of-service” condition had already been in effect since June 25.

“New Mexico failed to conduct an English Language Proficiency test when they pulled the driver over for speeding,” Duffy explained. “Had they done this, the driver would not have been on the road.”

The Secretary described the situation as a consequence of “non-enforcement and radical immigration policies” that have allowed unqualified foreign drivers to get behind the wheel of 40-ton vehicles. He vowed to hold states accountable and restore road safety.

FMCSA investigators began their compliance review of White Hawk Carriers on August 14 at the company’s California premises. They examined driver qualification files, reviewed in-cab video footage of the crash, and interviewed company personnel. The Department is also assisting Florida authorities in their ongoing criminal case.

Duffy emphasized that President Trump’s administration has already taken decisive steps to tighten standards, including ordering mandatory English proficiency for truck drivers and launching a nationwide audit of how states issue non-domiciled CDLs. “President Trump and I will restore safety to our roads. The families of the deceased deserve justice,” Duffy said.

As the investigation unfolds, one fact is clear: had New Mexico enforced existing federal rules during its July traffic stop, the driver would have been pulled off the road — and three innocent lives in Florida might have been spared.

Fatal oversight: New Mexico failed to enforce law, now 3 are dead Read More »

Ruidoso to Santa Teresa: Sec. Noem, Trump team show up for New Mexicans

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, the southern border wall will now be painted black—a move aimed at strengthening America’s defenses and further discouraging illegal crossings. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the policy Tuesday during a stop at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, where she stood alongside Border Patrol agents and thanked the President for his unwavering commitment to border security.

“A nation without borders is no nation at all,” Noem declared. “And we’re so thankful that we have a president who understands that and understands that a secure border is important to our country’s future.”

Noem explained that the black paint will serve a dual purpose: protecting the steel barrier from rust while also making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to scale the wall. Under the desert sun, the metal will heat up, creating another deterrent. When asked about critics calling the measure harsh, Noem gave a simple response: “Don’t touch it. They have a choice.”

The move comes as Border Patrol data show historic success under Trump’s leadership. Apprehensions of illegal immigrants have plummeted, with the El Paso Sector—covering New Mexico and West Texas—reporting the lowest levels in decades. “In 2023, we had one day where there were 2,300 people apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol,” Interim Chief Walter Slosar noted. “We are now apprehending, by a seven-day average, about 41 people a day.”

Noem’s visit to New Mexico underscored her dual role: enforcing national security while also lending federal support to disaster-stricken communities. Earlier in the day, she joined local officials in Ruidoso, where repeated flash flooding devastated homes and infrastructure this summer.

“It’s nice to have someone from the federal level have such a great grasp on what is going to be needed to start rebuilding,” Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said. “Secretary Noem recognizes the cascading events that continue to happen and the mitigation efforts that are going to be needed for the Forest Service lands, the Village of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and down into the Hondo Valley.”

From Ruidoso, Noem traveled to Santa Teresa, where she celebrated President Trump’s progress at the seven-month mark of his second administration. She pointed to the estimated 1.6 million illegal immigrants who have left the country, according to data from the Center for Immigration Statistics, and highlighted the administration’s sweeping legislative win—the “Big Beautiful Act.” That package invests $165 billion in Homeland Security, with $45.5 billion dedicated to border wall construction, $4.1 billion for staffing, and nearly $6 billion for advanced surveillance technology.

The results are undeniable: illegal border crossings down, communities safer, and enforcement stronger than at any time in recent history. Noem praised Trump’s leadership for making it possible, telling Border Patrol agents that this administration has their backs.

By showing up in both Ruidoso and Santa Teresa, Noem demonstrated the Trump administration’s commitment to both securing the homeland and helping New Mexicans recover from natural disasters. Her visit left many in the state reassured that, with Trump back in the White House, Washington is once again listening to New Mexico.

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10th Circuit crushes MLG’s anti-gun law as unconstitutional

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit delivered a major blow to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s gun control agenda Tuesday, striking down New Mexico’s 2024 law that forced citizens to wait seven days before taking possession of a firearm.

In Ortega v. Grisham, the court found that the so-called “cooling-off” period likely violates the Second Amendment by blocking lawful citizens from acquiring arms even after they pass an instant federal background check. The majority opinion, authored by Judge Timothy Tymkovich, declared: “One cannot keep or bear arms if one cannot acquire them,” emphasizing that waiting periods are not supported by the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The ruling reverses a lower court decision that had allowed the law to remain in place. The case was brought by Samuel Ortega, a retired law enforcement officer, and Rebecca Scott, both of whom attempted to purchase firearms and were denied immediate possession despite clearing background checks. Represented by former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, the Mountain States Legal Foundation, and the NRA, the plaintiffs challenged the Waiting Period Act as an unconstitutional infringement.

The National Rifle Association celebrated the victory, declaring on social media:

“🚨 NRA Victory! 10th Circuit holds New Mexico’s 7-day waiting period unconstitutional in Ortega v. Grisham, a case brought by NRA and @MSLF, with the support of @NSSF.”

The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association also hailed the outcome as a vindication for law-abiding citizens, who they argue were unfairly targeted by the governor’s “anti-gun crusade.”

The 2024 statute, signed by Gov. Lujan Grisham, mandated a seven-day delay for nearly all firearm purchases, regardless of whether the buyer immediately passed a background check. The law imposed no exceptions for citizens facing threats to their safety. Supporters, including national gun-control groups Brady and Giffords, argued the law would reduce suicides and impulsive acts of violence.

But the court found the opposite: blanket waiting periods are unconstitutional burdens that strip law-abiding citizens of their rights. Tymkovich compared the delay to unconstitutional restrictions on other fundamental liberties, noting that a one-week waiting period for publishing a news story or attending church would never survive judicial scrutiny.

Judge Scott Matheson dissented, claiming that under prior Tenth Circuit precedent, the law was a “presumptively lawful” condition on commercial sales. But the majority rejected that reasoning, ruling that New Mexico had “no historical analogue” to justify its law.

The decision sends the case back to the district court to determine the scope of injunctive relief. For now, however, the seven-day waiting period is effectively dead — a significant defeat for the governor and gun-control lobby, and a decisive win for New Mexico gun owners and the NRA.

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NRCC savages Vasquez for indefensible, dangerous socialist record

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The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has rolled out a new paid advertising campaign aimed squarely at Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), branding him a radical tied to “Project 2026,” a plan Republicans say would fundamentally reshape the country in destructive ways.

The digital ad, released this week, ties Vasquez to high-profile national Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Dina Titus, and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist. Republicans argue that Vasquez is aligned with this wing of the Democratic Party and will push policies that hurt working families.

“If Gabe Vasquez were to get his way, the result would be tax hikes on working families, impeaching President Trump, a border invasion, defunding the police, and turning America into a socialist, crime-filled dystopia. House Republicans are the only thing standing between you and the nightmare of ‘Project 2026.’” said NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon in a statement announcing the campaign.

The ad features a clip of Vasquez from before his election to Congress in which he advocates defunding the police, a position Republicans have frequently highlighted as proof of his radical record. The video does not name Vasquez but instead places him alongside prominent left-wing Democrats and socialist figures to underscore the NRCC’s message that he is part of a broader ideological movement.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, which first reported on the ad, the NRCC is running the spot exclusively on digital platforms. The piece notes that while Vasquez’s police-defunding clip has circulated in the past, Republicans continue to use it to highlight what they view as his dangerous positions on law enforcement and public safety.

The ad begins with the phrase: “Project 2026. Hakeem Jeffries’ plan to remake America. Raise taxes on working families, impeach President Trump.” The video then shifts to snippets of Democratic leaders, culminating with Mamdani declaring, “We are unapologetic about our socialism.”

Fox News reported the ad is part of a larger NRCC strategy targeting 25 vulnerable House Democrats ahead of the midterms, with Republicans warning voters of what they describe as the Democratic agenda for 2026.

The NRCC’s strategy reflects broader Republican efforts to frame the upcoming elections as a choice between stability and chaos, portraying Democrats like Vasquez as threats to economic security and public safety. With New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District expected to be competitive, Vasquez has become a top target for GOP messaging.

By linking Vasquez to “Project 2026,” Republicans hope to draw attention to issues of taxes, immigration, crime, and law enforcement—issues they believe will resonate with voters concerned about the direction of the country. The ad underscores the NRCC’s intent to nationalize the race and tie local Democrats to the most controversial figures in their party.

As NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon emphasized: “House Republicans are the only thing standing between you and the nightmare of ‘Project 2026.’”

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Ex-Lujan Grisham secretary lands contracts designed to skirt bidding laws

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Less than a year after leaving Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Cabinet, former Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer has turned her insider status into lucrative consulting work, landing more than $232,000 in state contracts without ever facing a competitive bidding process.

According to records obtained through the state’s sunshine portal and inspection requests, Schroer’s newly launched firm, JJS & Associates, has secured contracts with the Public Education Department (PED), the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), and the Department of Cultural Affairs. The payments include $24,000 from PED, $64,911 from CYFD, and $16,228 from Cultural Affairs. Additional contracts already awarded or pending for fiscal year 2026 would bring the total haul to well over $232,000.

Critics say this reveals a cozy arrangement that skirts procurement safeguards designed to protect taxpayers. “Good to know the rules so you can go around them,” Senate GOP Floor Leader William Sharer of Farmington remarked after learning of the deals.

Under New Mexico’s procurement code, contracts over $60,000 require competitive bidding. But Schroer’s deals conveniently came in just under that threshold before gross receipts tax was added, allowing them to be issued directly. Joe Vigil, a spokesman for the General Services Department, admitted the contracts were structured this way, saying, “The contracts fell under the threshold of $60,000, then GRT was added for a total of $64,000.”

This technicality raises questions about whether the governor’s administration is playing games with taxpayer money. Schroer, who was making nearly $200,000 a year as a Cabinet secretary just months before leaving government, stepped down from the Aging and Long-Term Services Department in September 2024. By December, she already had a $64,000 contract with CYFD in hand.

Schroer defends her actions, saying she hired private legal counsel and that the contracts “went through a rigorous procurement process” with “multiple layers of oversight.” However, when pressed, the state’s Department of Justice could not confirm its alleged involvement in approving the deals.

CYFD praised Schroer’s work, claiming she “exceeded national benchmarks in foster family recruitment” and attracted 1,200 job candidates. PED likewise insisted the contracts followed procurement rules, though the agency refused to answer follow-up questions.

The Governor’s Office is also brushing off concerns. Spokeswoman Jodi McGinnis Porter insisted, “There is nothing inappropriate about former Secretary Schroer having contracts with state agencies.”

But for many New Mexicans, the optics are hard to ignore: yet another political insider cashing in on her connections with Lujan Grisham’s administration. With contracts carefully structured to avoid scrutiny and more public dollars on the way, critics say this is less about serving New Mexicans and more about taking care of the governor’s inner circle.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats like George Muñoz of Gallup defended Schroer, shrugging off concerns. “If that’s the best they can find, or they know her work, I would say maybe it’s good,” he said.

For taxpayers, however, the episode highlights a troubling pattern under Lujan Grisham: bending the rules, rewarding loyalists, and treating state coffers like a revolving door for political allies.

Ex-Lujan Grisham secretary lands contracts designed to skirt bidding laws Read More »

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