Piñon Post

EXCLUSIVE: Haaland, Bregman camps clash over Epstein ad

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A political advertisement released by the political action committee Accountable New Mexico is escalating tensions in New Mexico’s governor’s race, as the campaigns of Democrat candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman exchange sharp statements over allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein–related records.

The advertisement, which has begun circulating online and through digital platforms, targets Haaland over alleged past connections to Epstein’s network. According to the ad’s transcript, the narrator claims that Haaland accepted a ride on one of Epstein’s private jets to attend a Washington, D.C., fundraiser and accepted “tens of thousands of dollars” in donations tied to Epstein-linked businesses. The ad also alleges that Haaland’s campaign later solicited additional contributions and that when questioned about the matter, Haaland referred inquiries to a spokesperson rather than answering directly.

The ad cites previously reported material and Department of Justice records, including documents associated with Epstein and past reporting from New Mexico Political Report, KOB 4, and KRQE. Some of those reports reference a Washington, D.C., fundraising trip and emails discussing a reported $50,000 fundraising request referenced in records tied to Epstein-linked entities.

In response to the advertisement, the Haaland campaign strongly denied the allegations and pushed back on the origins of the attack.

“Sam Bregman and his dark money friends are lying about Deb because he has no path to victory in this race,” Haaland campaign spokesperson Hannah Menchhoff told the Piñon Post. “She never met Epstein, never took money from him, and never rode on his jet. She believes all abusers and the people who defend them must be held accountable.”

The Haaland campaign also provided additional background regarding the 2014 Washington, D.C., trip referenced in some reports. According to the campaign, the flight in question was not Epstein’s personal jet but a chartered aircraft arranged through a private company and paid for by the campaign of then-gubernatorial candidate Gary King. The campaign said Haaland had no knowledge of Epstein’s role in connecting King with the charter company and maintained that Haaland’s lieutenant governor campaign did not accept or solicit donations from Epstein.

The campaign also pointed to Haaland’s record in Congress and as Secretary of the Interior, including work related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, support for the Violence Against Women Act, efforts related to human trafficking prevention and victim services, and a 2019 request for an inquiry into Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, where he evaded federal charges.

The Bregman campaign, however, rejected the Haaland campaign’s accusation that it was associated to the political action committee behind the advertisement, while also defending the ad’s claims.

“Our campaign is not affiliated with this group in any way however there does not seem to be any factually incorrect statements made in this ad,” said Joanie Griffin, campaign press secretary for Sam Bregman for Governor to the Piñon Post. “The Epstein files clearly lay out the truth of what happened.”

“Everything in that ad is a complete lie,” said Menchhoff in a phone interview with the Post. “This is a desperate cry for help from the Bregman team…. All the reporting about the flight and the whole situation, all the articles specifically don’t say it’s an Epstein jet. They say Epstein-linked. None of the claims even made in the ad are technically supported by contemporary articles,” noting the only connections are to former Attorney General Gary King.

When asked about Haaland’s connection to Gary King, who recently attended the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce’s “La Noche Encantada” gala on February 21, which was also attended by Haaland, Menchhoff said Haaland may have seen him there, but there has been “no ongoing correspondence” with the former governor. King’s father, Democratic former Gov. Bruce King, sold Epstein the Santa Fe County land, which later became the site of Zorro Ranch. 

“Deb is a pretty authentic person. What you see is what you get. She’s very purposeful in the way she acts.” Menchhoff noted in the interview, “At the end of the day, none of this is correct, and it’s not even believable.”

The exchange marks a significant early escalation in the Democratic primary for governor, where Haaland and Bregman are competing for their party’s nomination in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the state. Political observers note that independent expenditure groups and political action committees often begin running advertising months ahead of primary elections in an effort to define candidates early, particularly in competitive primaries.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, maintained a wide network of wealthy and politically connected associates, and documents related to his businesses, travel, and political donations have remained the subject of ongoing public scrutiny and records releases in the years since his death. As additional documents and communications have become public, political campaigns across the country have faced renewed questions about past associations, donations, or contacts appearing in records connected to Epstein’s network.

Whether the allegations raised in the advertisement will have a lasting political impact remains unclear, but the public exchange between the Haaland and Bregman campaigns suggests the governor’s race is entering a more aggressive phase, with outside groups, opposition research, and political advertising already shaping the narrative months before voters cast ballots.

As the primary election approaches, additional advertising and political messaging from campaigns and outside groups is expected, signaling that the tone of the race may continue to intensify in the months ahead.

WATCH:

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Toulouse Oliver partnering with outside groups — while on the ballot for lt. gov.

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Questions are being raised about how New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is working with outside groups to conduct voter education ahead of the state’s new semi-open primary election — and which organizations are involved — all while she is on the Democrat ballot herself, vying for lieutenant governor.

New Mexico is preparing for its first semi-open primary election, which will allow unaffiliated voters — often called independent or “decline-to-state” voters — to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary without changing their party registration in advance. The change affects hundreds of thousands of New Mexico voters and represents one of the most significant election changes in recent state history.

But while the policy change itself has received attention, comments from Toulouse Oliver about how voter education efforts will be conducted are now drawing scrutiny.

In an interview reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, Toulouse Oliver acknowledged that many independent voters may not yet be aware of the change and said voter education would be necessary to inform them of their new ability to vote in primary elections. However, she also indicated that her office would not be acting alone.

“Hopefully between the combined efforts of my office and partner organizations … we can get the word out,” Toulouse Oliver said, according to the report.

That statement has prompted questions about exactly which “partner organizations” the Secretary of State’s Office is working with — and whether taxpayer-funded voter education efforts are being coordinated with outside advocacy groups.

The Secretary of State also indicated that her office would be conducting a digital-focused outreach campaign due to budget constraints, saying the office would rely heavily on digital marketing tools to target voters who need to be informed about the change.

Meanwhile, several advocacy organizations have publicly acknowledged they are conducting their own voter education efforts related to the semi-open primary. Leftist groups such as Common Cause New Mexico and New Mexico Voters First have said they are part of a coalition working on outreach efforts, along with other far-left organizations including NM Native Vote and the League of Women Voters.

These groups describe the effort as a “layered campaign” that will include community events, social media outreach, radio advertising, and a website intended to inform voters about how the new primary system works.

Supporters of the semi-open primary say the change will increase voter participation and give independent voters more influence in candidate selection. They argue that candidates will now have to appeal to a broader range of voters rather than focusing only on party bases during primary elections.

However, critics say the involvement of outside organizations in voter education — particularly when coordinated alongside a government office — raises questions about messaging, influence, and whether the outreach will truly remain nonpartisan.

The Secretary of State’s Office has long argued that it faces budget limitations and must rely on partnerships and digital outreach to reach voters efficiently. But the reference to unnamed “partner organizations” working alongside a taxpayer-funded office has led some observers to call for more transparency about who those partners are, what role they are playing, and how the outreach efforts are being coordinated.

With the June primary approaching, voter education efforts are expected to ramp up significantly in the coming weeks. But as those efforts expand, questions about coordination between government offices and outside advocacy groups — and who exactly is helping “get the word out” — are likely to remain part of the conversation.

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‘No Kings’ rally devolves into DEI, anti-ICE protest: Abrams calls for ‘disruption’

27 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Albuquerque’s latest “No Kings” protest over the weekend featured a mix of anti-Trump rhetoric, anti-ICE activism and partisan political organizing — headlined by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who delivered a speech warning of “authoritarianism” and urging activists to “disrupt,” “litigate,” and “elect” Democrats, including New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland.

Abrams, a national Democrat figure known for her activism to weaken election integrity, told the Albuquerque crowd that the United States is already deep into what she described as a 10-step process toward authoritarian rule.

“If there are ten steps to authoritarianism and autocracy, I’m here to tell you they have taken all ten,” Abrams said, claiming the country is experiencing a “devolution of democracy in real time.”

Abrams specifically defended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs during her speech, telling the crowd, “DEI is in our DNA in America,” and encouraging activists to organize politically at every level of government.

“So we’ve got signs that I haven’t seen yet. Woke, watching, and working,” she said on the video, which was posted to the Democrat Party’s Facebook page.

But her speech went far beyond typical campaign rhetoric. Abrams encouraged activists to engage in what she called “disruption,” including documenting immigration enforcement operations and confronting local officials.

“We’re going to show up where ICE is and we’re going to take pictures of them,” Abrams told the crowd. “We’re going to show up at those community meetings, those city council meetings, those county commission meetings… because they’ve got folks at the state and local level doing this with them, and they all need to know we’re paying attention.”

Abrams laid out a series of political action steps for activists, including organizing, mobilizing, litigating, disrupting and ultimately electing new political leadership.

That political message became explicit when Abrams turned to New Mexico politics and encouraged the crowd to support Democrat Deb Haaland for governor.

“Every eight years in the state of New Mexico, you guys change your minds,” Abrams said. “But this time, y’all got Deb Haaland waiting for you. Let’s get it done.”

In a separate exchange caught on video, Abrams told Haaland directly, “You’re the person who’s going to be the next governor of New Mexico,” before Haaland responded by outlining her agenda and telling voters that electing her would allow her to implement her plans.

The rallies themselves, organized by far-left groups, included voter registration drives, political organizing efforts and messaging focused on immigration enforcement, elections and opposition to the Trump administration. According to reporting from Source New Mexico, some activists distributed whistles intended to alert communities to the presence of ICE agents, while others sold anti-Trump merchandise and displayed protest signs comparing current political leadership to authoritarian regimes.

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján also attended one of the rallies and urged attendees to remain politically active and vote in upcoming elections, framing the protests as part of a broader political movement heading into future election cycles.

Taken together, the event functioned less like a traditional protest and more like a political organizing rally, with national and state Democrats encouraging activism, litigation, public disruption and electoral organizing — all while framing the current political climate as a fight against authoritarianism.

With Abrams headlining the event, Haaland campaigning in the crowd and Democratic officials urging attendees to vote, the “No Kings” rally offered a clear preview of the political messaging and organizing strategy Democrats appear to be building heading into the next election cycle.

‘No Kings’ rally devolves into DEI, anti-ICE protest: Abrams calls for ‘disruption’ Read More »

Proposal for NM counties to join Texas sparks meltdown in Santa Fe

29 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A proposal out of Texas to study whether some New Mexico counties could potentially join the state of Texas has triggered a surprisingly emotional response from New Mexico’s top Democratic leaders — and exposed a political nerve that Santa Fe clearly did not want touched.

Earlier this week, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows directed a Texas legislative committee to study the possibility of adding “one or more contiguous counties of New Mexico” to the state of Texas. The committee has been instructed to study the constitutional, legal, fiscal, and economic feasibility of such a move and outline what steps would be required at both the state and federal levels.

Burrows framed the idea as a conversation about representation and economic alignment, particularly in the oil- and gas-producing Permian Basin region that stretches across southeastern New Mexico and West Texas.

“Southeast New Mexico deserves a real voice in its own future, not one dictated by Santa Fe,” Burrows said in a statement, pointing to the region’s energy production, property rights concerns, and cultural alignment with West Texas.

The proposal is still in the early stages, with Texas lawmakers expected to study the issue and present findings during the next Texas legislative session in 2027. Any actual boundary change would require approval from the New Mexico Legislature, the Texas Legislature, and the U.S. Congress — meaning the proposal is far from becoming reality.

But the mere suggestion was enough to spark sharp reactions from New Mexico Democrats, including House Speaker Javier Martínez and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office.

Martínez responded with a statement that sounded more like a social media post than a formal statement from the leader of the New Mexico House of Representatives.

“I suggest that Speaker Burrows get offline, touch some grass, and get his own House in order,” Martínez said, before launching into criticism of Texas and national Republicans over grocery prices, healthcare costs, and energy prices.

Meanwhile, Gov. Lujan Grisham’s office also dismissed the idea but issued a defensive statement emphasizing that New Mexico would remain “fully intact,” while also pivoting to methane emissions comparisons between Texas and New Mexico.

“We have every intention of keeping the great state of New Mexico fully intact. This is not a serious proposal, but Texas can study it all they want,” said Michael Coleman, the governor’s communications director, who then added that Texas should study New Mexico’s methane regulations, per KOAT 7.

The intensity of the response raised eyebrows among some observers, given that Texas is currently only studying the idea — not moving forward with any annexation proposal.

Still, the conversation touches on a very real political tension within New Mexico: southeastern New Mexico produces a massive share of the state’s oil and gas revenue, generating billions of dollars that fund state government, schools, and infrastructure across New Mexico, while the region often finds itself politically outnumbered by lawmakers from Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Republican State Rep. Randall Pettigrew of Lea County acknowledged those frustrations but said he wants to solve the issue within New Mexico rather than leaving the state.

“At the end of the day, we’re in New Mexico,” Pettigrew said. “I was born in New Mexico, raised here, have a business here, and became a state rep because I love this state. I want to fix the issues within this state.”

For now, Texas lawmakers are only studying the idea. But judging by the reaction from Santa Fe, the mere suggestion that southeastern New Mexico might have options appears to have struck a nerve in the Roundhouse.

And that reaction may end up fueling the conversation more than the proposal itself.

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Feds charge 130+ immigration-related crimes in NM in just two weeks

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Federal prosecutors in New Mexico charged more than 130 individuals with immigration-related crimes over a two-week period ending March 27, according to new enforcement statistics released by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico — a sign of what officials say is a significant increase in enforcement activity across the state.

The charges were brought in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating throughout New Mexico’s southern border region and interior.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 98 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation, a federal felony under 8 U.S.C. 1326. Another 10 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling under 8 U.S.C. 1324, and 6 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry under 8 U.S.C. 1325.

In addition, 19 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry along with violations related to entering restricted military property. Those charges stem from arrests made in the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico, where additional federal security regulations now apply. Those individuals were charged under a combination of federal statutes, including violation of a military security regulation and entering military, naval, or Coast Guard property.

Federal officials noted that many of the individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation had prior criminal convictions. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, those prior convictions included crimes such as theft, aggravated DUI, aggravated assault, use of false immigration documents, aggravated vehicular assault, child sexual assault, domestic violence, alien smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and prior immigration offenses.

The cases are part of a broader federal initiative known as Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice effort focused on combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and prosecuting individuals accused of violent crimes and human trafficking offenses.

Officials emphasized that the prosecution numbers released this week reflect only criminal charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico. The figures do not include individuals who were apprehended by immigration enforcement officials but processed through administrative immigration proceedings rather than criminal court.

The District of New Mexico covers all 33 counties in the state and includes approximately 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Federal prosecutors based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work with law enforcement agencies across the region to prosecute immigration-related crimes and other federal offenses.

Federal authorities say public safety and border security remain top priorities in the district, and that recent enforcement efforts have increasingly focused on individuals with prior criminal histories, as well as cases involving human trafficking, sexual assault, violence against children, and organized criminal activity.

The latest numbers provide a snapshot of how immigration enforcement is currently being carried out in New Mexico — not just at the border, but across the interior of the state — and show the scale of federal prosecutions now moving through the court system in Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

As federal enforcement activity continues, additional charges and prosecutions are expected in the coming months as part of the ongoing operation.

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Haaland stumbles through remarks at campaign stop as debate pressure builds

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A recent campaign stop by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland in Santa Fe is drawing attention online after video showed the former Interior secretary stumbling through prepared remarks while speaking to a group of educators near Paseo de Peralta.

During the event, Haaland appeared to struggle while attempting to deliver a series of education-related talking points, at one point acknowledging difficulty reading from bullet points.

“…for my child and I want that for every single New Mexico child and I think we can get there. So, um, early readers, supportive teachers, and, or, successful families, sorry, I’m terrible at these, you know, bullet points,” Haaland said during the incoherent remarks.

The moment quickly circulated on social media, where critics and commenters questioned her speaking performance and preparedness on the campaign trail.

Some social media users were blunt in their criticism. One commenter wrote, “She couldn’t even answer simple questions from the Senate as interior secretary. A total embarrassment to our state.” Another wrote, “The fact that she is even on the card should make every educated person question how.” Others questioned her qualifications and called for debates in the gubernatorial primary.

The video is resurfacing at the same time Haaland’s primary opponent, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, continues to criticize her for declining multiple debate invitations ahead of the June primary.

According to a Feb. 28 report from the Santa Fe New Mexican, Bregman has been publicly tracking the number of days since he challenged Haaland to debate, saying voters deserve a direct comparison between the candidates before early voting begins. The Haaland campaign has said she plans to participate in a May forum hosted by Dukes Up and New Mexico PBS but has declined other debate invitations.

“In my line of work, when you’re confident in your case, you welcome trial,” Bregman said in a statement reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican. “You don’t get to run from questions and then ask to run this state.”

The debate issue has become a central point of tension in the Democrat primary, with Bregman’s campaign arguing that refusing debates limits voter access to information about the candidates’ positions on major issues including public safety, education and the economy.

The Haaland campaign has pushed back, saying she has been traveling the state and speaking directly to voters at campaign events and community gatherings.

Still, the recent Santa Fe campaign stop video has added new fuel to the debate issue, with critics arguing that unscripted debates would give voters a clearer picture of each candidate’s ability to think on their feet and communicate policy positions.

The Democrat primary for governor will take place June 2, with early voting beginning May 1. Haaland remains the frontrunner in the race, but Bregman has been working to close the gap, and his campaign has increasingly focused on debates, public appearances and what they describe as accountability and transparency.

The Republicans who are running for governor include Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory Hull, small business owner Doug Turner, and Ultra Health businessman Duke Rodriguez.

With more campaign stops, forums and public events expected in the coming weeks, the primary contest between Haaland and Bregman appears likely to intensify as voters begin paying closer attention ahead of early voting.

Haaland brings national shame upon NM due to Epstein ties

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Leger Fernandez rants about Epstein, SAVE Act in bizarre string of X videos

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s latest campaign email and a series of airport videos posted to social media are raising eyebrows across New Mexico after the northern New Mexico Democrat made several misleading claims about election law, federal funding, and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — all while attempting to position herself as a champion of transparency.

In one video filmed at an airport and posted to X, Leger Fernandez held up her REAL ID and claimed it would not be sufficient for voting under Republican-backed election integrity legislation.

“I’m about to get on a flight. I’m going to use my real ID. Guess what I cannot use this for? I can’t use this to register to vote or to vote,” she said. “So when they say they just want ID, it’s not this. They’re going to make you get a passport, which costs money, or walk around with your birth certificate. Voting is not a privilege like taking a plane. Voting is our right.”

She was referring to the SAVE Act, which recently passed the U.S. House and is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate. The legislation requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections — something supporters say is necessary to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. The bill also allows all currently registered voters to remain registered, a key detail not mentioned in her video.

In another airport video, Leger Fernandez claimed Republicans were responsible for funding issues affecting federal agencies such as TSA and FEMA, saying Democrats had offered a funding solution that Republicans voted down.

“Democrats have offered a funding solution so that we can get TSA funded, we can get FEMA funded. Republicans voted it down,” she said. “There’s a simple solution. Vote for the Democrat funding bill. Let’s get them funded.”

The comments were included as part of her March campaign newsletter, titled “The Teresa Times,” which was sent to supporters and included statements on foreign policy, the Cesar Chavez abuse allegations, federal funding announcements, and the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County. She previously praised Chavez in social media posts.

After years of little public attention from New Mexico’s federal delegation on Epstein’s New Mexico ranch, Leger Fernandez also highlighted her visit to the property and the state-level investigation now underway.

“On Sunday, I was at the Zorro Ranch and we were demanding that there be an investigation,” she said. “It’s been too long, too many decades, but what is buried there? We need to find out.”

Epstein’s Zorro Ranch and the powerful individuals connected to it have been known to the public for years, including during the tenure of multiple high-ranking New Mexico officials. Only now, after national attention has intensified again, are some elected officials publicly calling for deeper investigation. It is unclear who Fernandez was “demanding” an investigation from after years of her silence.

Leger Fernandez’s email also included partisan attacks over Middle East policy, statements about Women’s History Month, announcements of federal spending in northern New Mexico, and a statement responding to sexual abuse allegations involving labor leader Cesar Chavez, in which she said she was “heartbroken and deeply disturbed” and expressed support for survivors.

The SAVE Act, government funding fights, and the Epstein investigation are all quickly becoming political flashpoints heading into the 2026 election cycle — and Leger Fernandez’s latest email shows how Democrats are attempting to message heavily on all three issues as the campaign season ramps up.

Leger Fernandez rants about Epstein, SAVE Act in bizarre string of X videos Read More »

New PFAS rule to require companies to label products sold in NM

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New Mexico is once again leading the nation in aggressive environmental regulation, this time approving a first-in-the-nation rule that will require warning labels on consumer products containing so-called “forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS.

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board voted Monday to approve a rule that will phase out PFAS in certain consumer products and require warning labels on others, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Products containing intentionally added PFAS will soon be required to carry a label warning consumers, with the labeling requirement expected to begin as early as January 2027.

The label will include a symbol — a conical flask icon with the acronym “PFAS” — intended to alert consumers that the product contains the chemicals. Environment Secretary James Kenney said the icon is meant to act as a universal warning symbol for shoppers. “That image will serve the universal language of identity and provide whoever is shopping the ability to understand what we’re trying to convey: There’s PFAS in this product,” Kenney said.

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are used in a wide range of products including waterproof clothing, nonstick cookware, food packaging, carpets, cosmetics, and cleaning products. The chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in the human body.

Under the new rule, some products containing PFAS — including cookware, food packaging, toys, dental floss, and firefighting foam — will be phased out starting in 2027. Other products such as cosmetics, carpets, and cleaning products will follow in later years, with the state ultimately aiming to eliminate PFAS from most consumer goods by 2032, according to a legal analysis published by the National Law Review.

But the most controversial part of the rule may be the labeling requirement itself. According to the National Law Review, New Mexico has become the first state in the country to require consumer-facing warning labels on all products containing PFAS, even if those products are otherwise exempt from phase-out requirements.

The legal publication warned that the labeling law could have major consequences for businesses and manufacturers. The rule “forces companies to answer the fundamental question of whether a product contains PFAS in less than ten months,” the analysis states, creating a compressed timeline for companies to test and disclose chemical content.

The publication also warned that the labels could expose companies to lawsuits, noting that plaintiff attorneys often use publicly disclosed chemical information to file consumer fraud, personal injury, and environmental lawsuits. There is “no reason to believe that the PFAS warning labels that New Mexico requires would not be monitored and tracked by the same attorneys,” the report states.

In other words, the labeling requirement may not just inform consumers — it could also create a roadmap for litigation.

Businesses throughout the supply chain are now being urged to evaluate their PFAS risk, as lawsuits related to PFAS contamination and product use are already increasing across the country.

Meanwhile, state health officials say there is currently no approved way to remove PFAS from the human body, meaning the only current recommendation is to reduce exposure.

The new rule represents a major regulatory expansion in New Mexico and could have wide-ranging effects on manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike — from product availability to prices to potential legal battles — as the state moves forward with one of the most aggressive PFAS regulatory frameworks in the country.

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Heinrich delivers ‘surprise’ vote on Trump DHS nominee

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat often aligned with the party’s progressive wing, is drawing national attention after casting what he described as a “surprise” vote in favor of confirming President Donald Trump’s nominee, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Mullin on March 23 in a 54–45 vote that was largely along party lines. Heinrich and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania were the only two Democrats to vote in favor of the Trump nominee. All but one Republican supported Mullin, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against the confirmation.

Heinrich had signaled his position ahead of the vote, releasing a statement explaining his decision and acknowledging that some would view his vote as unexpected given the highly partisan nature of the confirmation.

“This is going to surprise some people, but I consider Markwayne Mullin a friend,” Heinrich wrote.

In his statement, Heinrich said his decision was based largely on his working relationship with Mullin and the needs of New Mexico, particularly when it comes to border security and federal agencies operating in the state.

“I consider Markwayne a friend and someone with whom I have a very honest and constructive working relationship,” Heinrich said. He noted the two senators have worked together on bipartisan legislation, including the Tribal Buffalo Management Act and the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

Heinrich said that while he frequently disagrees with Mullin politically, he believes Mullin is independent and willing to stand up to pressure.

“I have also seen first-hand that Markwayne is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views,” Heinrich said. He added that he hopes Mullin will serve as a Homeland Security Secretary who does not “take their orders from Stephen Miller,” referring to the Trump adviser known for hardline immigration policies.

Heinrich framed his vote largely around New Mexico-specific concerns, noting that the state shares a long stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border and is home to hundreds of federal employees working for DHS agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, and the Transportation Security Administration.

He also said he has struggled to maintain a constructive relationship with DHS leadership in recent years and wants a secretary he can directly communicate with on issues affecting New Mexico.

Heinrich said he believes Mullin understands the need for a border strategy tailored to the Southwest’s “unique terrain” and supports a balance of infrastructure, technology, and personnel.

He also pointed to Mullin’s statements during his confirmation hearing indicating support for requiring judicial warrants in certain immigration enforcement actions, which Heinrich said was an important factor in his decision.

Despite Heinrich’s reasoning, the vote stood in sharp contrast to the overwhelming majority of Democrats, who opposed Mullin over concerns about immigration enforcement policies, qualifications, and the broader Trump administration agenda.

The confirmation was described by national media outlets as “mostly along party lines,” but Heinrich’s vote — along with Fetterman’s — gave the confirmation a small but notable bipartisan element, something that has become increasingly rare in modern cabinet confirmations.

Mullin, a sitting U.S. senator prior to his confirmation, was known for having personal relationships across the aisle, which analysts say may have helped him secure the two Democratic votes.

Heinrich’s vote is likely to draw scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle, as Democrats continue to oppose Trump’s immigration policies while border security remains a major issue in New Mexico and across the Southwest.

Regardless of the political reaction, Heinrich’s vote marked one of the few instances of a Democrat supporting a Trump cabinet nominee, making it a notable break from party-line voting and one that quickly drew national attention.

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NM makes national news over gaps in Epstein ‘Truth Commission’ probe

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New Mexico is once again making national headlines after reports surfaced raising questions about the apparent lack of action by the state’s so-called “Truth Commission” tasked with investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s activities tied to Zorro Ranch.

National media coverage this week highlighted renewed scrutiny surrounding Epstein’s New Mexico property and whether state agencies and officials failed to properly investigate allegations tied to the ranch for years. The reports have also brought attention to concerns from New Mexico lawmakers that the Truth Commission may not be fully pursuing the scope of its investigation as required under House Resolution 1.

In a recent national television interview, Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) said the commission’s responsibility is clear and cannot be limited to a narrow review.

“This commission has a job, and it’s very simple. They have to follow the evidence wherever it leads. They can’t ignore anything,” Lord said on Newsmax. “They have to make sure that everybody that was involved in Epstein’s world was accountable. He did not operate in a vacuum. There were breakdowns on multiple levels of government.”

“If Jeffrey Epstein moved to New Mexico today, we do not have a state law — we have failed to pass a state law — that would require him to register in our state,” Dow said.

Lord also raised questions about why Epstein was not required to register as a sex offender in New Mexico and whether investigations were delayed or shut down.

“We need to know why was he not a registered sex offender in New Mexico? Were there any investigations delayed or shut down, and did anyone have any influence or connections in this role of why this wasn’t investigated thoroughly?” she said.

The renewed national attention comes as lawmakers formally requested that the Truth Commission expand its investigation beyond individual acts to include systemic failures in government oversight, law enforcement, and policy.

In a formal letter to the commission, Reps. Lord and Rebecca Dow (R-Truth or Consequences – House GOP Caucus Chair) wrote that the investigation must include “institutional, legal, and procedural failures that may have contributed to an environment in which misconduct could persist without sufficient scrutiny or intervention.”

The letter specifically calls for an examination of legislative efforts related to sex offender registration laws, law enforcement and prosecutorial actions or inaction, interagency coordination failures, and whether conflicts of interest or political influence played a role in the lack of action surrounding Epstein’s activities in New Mexico.

In a press release accompanying the request, Rep. Lord said the public deserves answers if people in positions of authority failed to act.

“If those in power had the ability to act and chose not to, the public deserves to know why and whether money or relationships influenced that inaction. This investigation must follow the truth, not protect the powerful,” Lord said.

The press release also emphasized that the Truth Commission was created not just to investigate past wrongdoing, but to identify systemic failures and prevent similar crimes from happening in the future.

Despite the commission’s broad mandate under House Resolution 1 — which includes promoting transparency, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring accountability — critics say little visible progress has been made publicly, even as national reports continue to raise new questions about Epstein’s activities in New Mexico and whether opportunities to investigate were missed.

Lawmakers say the stakes go beyond Epstein himself and focus on whether New Mexico’s institutions failed to protect victims and hold powerful individuals accountable.

“The main thing is we cannot allow this to be a surface level investigation,” Lord said in the interview. “They need to go all the way, follow every single lead and make sure that everyone involved is held responsible.”

As national attention grows, pressure is likely to increase on the Truth Commission to show results and demonstrate that its investigation is moving forward — and that New Mexico is willing to fully examine how Epstein was able to operate in the state for years without greater scrutiny.

Watch the Newsmax interview here:

NM makes national news over gaps in Epstein ‘Truth Commission’ probe Read More »

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