New Mexico

Vindictive MLG vetoes ‘State Bread,’ license plate bills to punish Dems

In a dramatic and unmistakably vindictive move, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham unleashed a political tantrum on Friday, vetoing a slate of bills—most notably Senate Bill 315, which would have designated the tortilla as New Mexico’s official state bread. The veto wasn’t about bread, though—it was about revenge.

The governor’s veto message dripped with frustration as she lashed out at the Legislature, blaming Democratic leadership in both chambers for failing to move forward with her policy priorities. Instead of working collaboratively or responsibly, the governor torched legislation ranging from cultural designations to tax relief and public safety funding—effectively using her veto pen to punish lawmakers who didn’t do her bidding.

“I am vetoing this legislation to send a clear message,” the governor fumed, pointing to what she claimed was a failure to prioritize “urgency” in the final hours of the session. But the message was clear before she wrote a word: if the Legislature won’t pass her bills, she’s willing to sabotage even bipartisan efforts, including those introduced by children.

The tortilla bill, inspired by Las Cruces student Adaline McIntosh, was a heartfelt proposal intended to celebrate the state’s rich culinary heritage. But the governor instead reduced it to political collateral damage. In a feeble attempt to soften the blow, Lujan Grisham added a perfunctory line praising McIntosh’s civic engagement—but it rings hollow after turning the student’s dream into a bitter example of gubernatorial spite. Lujan Grisham claimed that because New Mexico has a “state cookie, a
state amphibian, two state vegetables, a state song, a Spanish language state song, a state ballad, a
state bilingual song, and a state cowboy song,” that the veto is justified.

The veto came with a slew of additional casualties. Among the dozens of bills killed:

  • HB 14: Expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which would’ve delivered relief to working families.
  • HB 120: Accessibility upgrades for state agencies.
  • HB 143: Strengthened lobbying transparency.
  • HB 191: Critical funding for wildfire preparedness.
  • HB 494: Tax exemptions for veterans.
  • SB 142: The Grid Modernization Roadmap, essential for updating aging infrastructure.
  • HB 219: Creation of the Slot Canyon Riverlands State Park.
  • SB 327 and SB 377: License plates celebrating lowriders and New Mexico United.
  • H.B. 36: Critical change to allow health care access to rural New Mexicans who have to drive long distances for ophthalmology care.

All were axed not because of policy objections, but because of perceived legislative disloyalty. The vetoes weren’t about principle—they were about punishment.

For New Mexicans looking for leadership in times of crisis, this kind of performative petulance is the last thing the state needs. Instead of working across the aisle or finding compromise, Lujan Grisham chose political theatrics—derailing cultural recognition, environmental progress, and even tax breaks for veterans just to make a point.

With this veto spree, the governor has made her priorities crystal clear: her agenda comes first, and if the Legislature dares to question it, the people of New Mexico will suffer the consequences. Whether it’s tortillas or tax relief, nothing is safe from her scorched-earth strategy.

Now, with an election year looming, Democrats who aligned with the governor may find themselves in hot water with constituents who wanted action—not petty politics.

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SOS Toulouse Oliver freaks out as U.S. House passes key election integrity bill

The U.S. House of Representatives made a decisive move this week to protect the integrity of American elections by passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill that ensures only U.S. citizens are allowed to register and vote in federal elections. Despite bipartisan support for the common-sense measure, all three of New Mexico’s Democrat representatives—Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez—voted against the bill, aligning themselves with far-left opposition rather than standing up for election integrity.

The SAVE Act mandates that individuals provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections—an overwhelming majority of Americans believe this requirement already exists. Shockingly, in many states, including New Mexico, voter registration processes do not require verified documentation of citizenship, leaving gaping holes in the system that could be exploited.

Yet, instead of praising this step toward greater public confidence in elections, prominent New Mexico Democrats erupted in outrage.

“Rest assured, I am a definite NO on the SAVE Act,” wrote U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, telegraphing his opposition before the Senate even considers the bill.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver issued a lengthy statement criticizing the legislation, calling it a threat to voter accessibility. “This legislation would impose stringent proof-of-citizenship requirements that threaten to disenfranchise many eligible voters in our state,” she said, suggesting erroneously that the bill would harm Native Americans, rural voters, and women who’ve changed their names after marriage.

Oliver also made the dubious claim that noncitizen voting is “exceedingly rare,” calling the bill “a solution in search of a problem.” However, recent polling and investigations have shown growing concerns among Americans over the possibility of voter fraud, particularly in states with lax voter registration requirements. The SAVE Act directly addresses those concerns by closing loopholes and reinforcing the principle that U.S. elections should be decided by U.S. citizens—nothing more, nothing less.

Most notably, freshman Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who faces a tough reelection battle in a battleground district, is now on record opposing a bill to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. This position may prove politically toxic as Vasquez’s Republican challenger is certain to hammer him for putting partisan politics over secure elections.

While Democrats like Heinrich, Oliver, and Vasquez paint the bill as draconian, many Americans view the SAVE Act as a much-needed, commonsense safeguard. It’s no wonder the bill passed with bipartisan support. In an era where trust in elections has waned, requiring proof of citizenship to vote is a rational and fair way to help restore faith in the system.

New Mexico voters, especially those in competitive districts, may want to ask themselves: Why are their elected officials so afraid of proving citizenship at the ballot box?

With the SAVE Act now headed to the U.S. Senate, the spotlight turns to Sens. Heinrich and Luján. Will they continue to side with fringe voices, or will they stand up for the sanctity of American elections?

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High-profile Dem jumps into governor’s race, rebuking Trump, ‘radical left’

The New Mexico gubernatorial race is heating up with the entry of Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman into the Democrat primary. Bregman, a seasoned attorney with over three decades of legal experience, officially announced his candidacy for governor in the upcoming 2026 election. ​

In a campaign video, Bregman attacks President Trump and Department of Government Efficiency advisor Elon Musk, claiming Musk is a puppet of the president and that they are “attacking” the state. He erroneously claimed the same long disproven talking points that Trump is “gutting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.” 

Bregman’s legal career has been marked by attempts at “social justice” and pushing radical anti-gun legislation. Appointed as Bernalillo County District Attorney in January 2023 by lame-duck Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, he has claimed to put a focus on combating rising crime rates and building safer communities.

Bregman (far-left) at a press conference with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat anti-gun lawmakers, and anti-gun activists. https://twitter.com/BerncoDa/status/1618373196729749508?s=20

Bregman will face Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Joe Biden and a former congresswoman representing New Mexico’s 1st District. She announced her gubernatorial bid in February 2025, emphasizing her dedication to addressing issues such as climate change, tribal sovereignty, and social justice.

But Bregman appears to be tying Haaland to “weak” Democrats by saying regarding supposed “attacks” from Trump that they have been “weak, ineffective, and complicit with all this madness. And it’s the intolerance of the radical left that has divided our party.” He added, “Whether it’s them or the MAGA extremists, they’ve all hijacked our politics.” 

While Haaland’s candidacy has garnered national attention due to her historic role in the federal government, Bregman’s extensive experience within New Mexico’s legal and political landscape positions him as a formidable contender. His background as a defense attorney and his leadership in the state’s busiest judicial district have provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges facing New Mexico communities. Bregman’s focus on public safety, judicial efficiency, and community collaboration resonates with voters concerned about crime and justice. ​

As the Democrat primary approaches, the race between Bregman and Haaland is expected to be closely watched. Both candidates bring strangely similar perspectives and policy positions. With two high-profile names on the Democrat side for governor, it is sure to be a present to the Republican Party, as the matchup between the two Democrats is sure to get nasty and expensive. 

As of now, no Republican candidates have formally announced their intention to run for governor in the 2026 election.

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Vasquez claims it’s racist to criticize his extreme far-left record

In a recent Roll Call interview, New Mexico Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez attempted to reframe growing criticism of his radical political record, claiming it stems from his identity as a “Hispanic male.” He told the publication, “They used misinformation to paint me as an extremist,” adding, “I think so much of that was really … them wanting to discredit me as a Hispanic male.”

But as scrutiny of his positions intensifies, the facts show Vasquez is far from the moderate image he attempts to portray — instead aligning himself with some of the most extreme factions in Congress on issues ranging from border security to energy policy.

Vasquez represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — a vast, working-class, majority Latino district in the southern and western part of the state that President Trump carried in 2024. Yet despite the district’s conservative lean, Vasquez has toed the party line with shocking consistency. According to Roll Call, “a CQ Roll Call analysis of his 2024 voting record found that on votes that split the parties, Vasquez stuck with House Democrats 87.2 percent of the time.” Even more strikingly, “on House votes on which President Joe Biden took a position, Vasquez sided with him 91.7 percent of the time.” Only 57 House Democrats voted with Biden more often.

That makes Vasquez one of the most extreme partisan members in a seat that is supposed to be one of the most competitive in the country. And despite running as a “moderate,” his record tells a different story.

Vasquez has attacked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and called to dismantle the southern border wall. “Time to take down the wall that’s been financed and is being constructed with illegal funds,” he said in a now-deleted tweet. He has harshly criticized law enforcement agencies charged with border security, all while falsely claiming to be a pragmatist on immigration.

His views on energy are no less radical. While the 2nd District is home to the oil- and gas-rich Permian Basin — one of the largest energy-producing regions in the world — Vasquez has aligned himself with Green New Deal-style policies that threaten the livelihoods of thousands. Although he has occasionally paid lip service to oilfield jobs, his consistent support for environmental restrictions and climate change mandates sends a clear message. Roll Call quoted him saying: “I’m not here to take any of that away. What I am here to do is to say, ‘How can we do this better? How can we do this cleaner?’” — a phrase that many in the industry view as code for more regulations and fewer jobs.

In addition to his troubling policy stances, Vasquez’s personal history also includes legal red flags. He failed to appear in court for driving without a license, resulting in an outstanding arrest warrant that remained active for over a decade until March 2024 — after he was elected to Congress. This negligence raises questions about his respect for the law and accountability.

On gun rights, Vasquez has also taken a far-left turn. After a shooting in Las Cruces, he used the tragedy to call for sweeping federal gun control laws, including mandatory gun storage laws that many believe violate Second Amendment protections.

While Roll Call portrays him as trying to avoid “conflict with Republicans or folks who voted for Trump,” Vasquez undermines his own case with his hyper-partisan voting record and out-of-step positions. Still, he blames Republican attacks on his background: “They used misinformation to paint me as an extremist,” he told Roll Call, adding, “I think so much of that was really… them wanting to discredit me as a Hispanic male.”

But in a district that has flipped five times since 2008 and was carried by Donald Trump in 2024, voters are less likely to be concerned about Vasquez’s ethnicity than his record of extremism. With the National Republican Congressional Committee targeting the seat in 2026 and local GOP leaders calling the district “definitely flippable,” Vasquez’s far-left record may prove politically toxic.

As Roll Call notes, “The strategy that Vasquez should take as a Democrat in a Trump district would be exactly what he’s doing: filtering out the national scandals and focusing on what he can do for [his] constituents.” Yet, with his policies consistently aligned with the most progressive elements in Washington, voters in New Mexico’s 2nd District may soon decide that what Vasquez is doing is not what they want.

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‘Queen of the toilet seat’ for POTUS? MLG roasted after 2028 tease

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham raised eyebrows this week after hinting that her political career may not end when her final term as governor wraps up in 2026. Speaking at Harvard’s Kennedy School on Wednesday, she flirted with the idea of returning to Washington, D.C., stating, “I want to be useful” and adding, “If Washington needs me and there’s a role for me to play, I would work to go there.”

While she didn’t explicitly announce a bid for higher office, her comments stirred speculation—especially from outlets like the Washington Examiner, which interpreted her remarks as a sign she’s “eyeing a bid for the Democratic nomination in 2028.” Her spokesperson, Michael Coleman, pushed back on that narrative, “At no point in her remarks at Harvard did Gov. Lujan Grisham say or even suggest she was ‘eyeing a presidential bid,’ “ he said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “However, it should be no surprise that she wants to continue to be useful to her state and country when her second term is finished. What shape that will take remains to be seen.”

Still, the vagueness of her remarks left political observers guessing, and conservative media—and the public—didn’t hold back. The Piñon Post ran the headline “Scandal-plagued Lujan Grisham teases 2028 presidential run,” referencing her controversial time as governor.

Her eight-year tenure has been anything but smooth. From pandemic-era lockdowns that shuttered businesses and drew legal scrutiny, to a 2021 sexual harassment settlement with a former staffer, and her 2023 executive order that attempted to suspend the right to carry firearms in public (later blocked in court), Lujan Grisham’s administration has faced waves of backlash. More recently, even members of her own party have questioned her aggressive policies on mental health and addiction, which include involuntary treatment proposals that drew fire from civil rights advocates.

Public reaction to her potential presidential aspirations has been equally blistering. Responses to the Piñon Post article ranged from mockery to outrage. “After 8 years of failure she thinks she should run the nation,” wrote one user. Another quipped, “She is so scandal-ridden and has positioned herself as an idiot on the world stage so many times that she’d have no chance.” Some mocked her stature—literally and figuratively—referencing past campaign ads and labeling her the “Queen of the toilet seat in Santa Fe.”

Others called her delusional, with one commenter saying, “She has been a disaster for New Mexico, and the American people are not stupid enough to let her get even close to the White House.”

Yet, in her Harvard remarks, Lujan Grisham maintained a focus on representation and equity. Citing the underrepresentation of women in politics, she said, “If we’re going to really uphold a fragile democracy… then you have to represent the people in the right ways, which means 54%-plus are women.” She also joked about her height—referring to herself as the “shortest governor in America”—but stood tall in her ambition to stay politically engaged.

Whether her comments were a subtle signal or an offhand remark, one thing is clear: any future campaign would face intense scrutiny, not just from political opponents, but from a public still divided over her legacy. For now, the idea of Lujan Grisham in the White House is fueling conversation—much of it skeptical, if not outright hostile.

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Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. takes on Big Food in NM with MAHA visit

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will visit New Mexico next week as part of a three-day, multi-state tour promoting the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, a cornerstone of President Trump’s second-term health policy agenda.

The tour, running April 7–9, will take Kennedy across Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, highlighting sweeping public health reforms, tribal partnerships, and school nutrition innovations aimed at addressing chronic disease and wellness disparities in the Southwest.

Kennedy’s visit comes as New Mexico is among several states enacting legislation aligned with MAHA objectives. New laws celebrated during the tour include bans on ultra-processed foods and synthetic dyes in public schools, limitations on the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing soda and candy, and a prohibition on the fluoridation of public water systems.

“These policies mark a new chapter in how we think about public health — not as a reactive system, but as a proactive investment in our children, our families, and our communities,” Kennedy said in a statement released ahead of the tour.

A central focus of Kennedy’s New Mexico leg will be tribal health and self-governance. He is slated to participate in a fireside chat with tribal leaders, addressing the critical role of Indigenous innovation in advancing healthcare delivery, community wellness, and economic development.

In partnership with the Navajo Nation, Kennedy will also discuss food sovereignty programs and tribal-led wellness initiatives. The Navajo Nation is notable for implementing the country’s first tribal “junk food tax” in 2014, a policy seen by the MAHA campaign as a model for grassroots nutrition reform.

The tour will include a stop at a charter school serving students from Pre-K through 11th grade, where Kennedy will observe how integrated health practices — including daily physical activity and scratch-cooked meals — are embedded into school culture.

According to HHS, the school embodies MAHA’s vision for student well-being as a foundation for academic success and lifelong health.

Secretary Kennedy will also visit a pair of health centers, including one that features a teaching kitchen for medical students and another that emphasizes nutrition-based care for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension — a significant concern in rural and tribal communities across New Mexico.

Though no press conference is scheduled in New Mexico as of now, HHS has announced two media events: one in Salt Lake City and one in Phoenix, featuring Secretary Kennedy alongside state legislators.

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Scandal-plagued Lujan Grisham teases 2028 presidential run

Far-left New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed interest in pursuing the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2028. Speaking at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, the two-term governor stated, “I’m worried about my country, and I’m worried about my planet. If you really are in that position on any of those things, then that’s a call to action in whatever way any of us can be useful.”​

Lujan Grisham emphasized the need for increased female representation in politics, noting that women should hold elected offices proportional to their percentage in the population. She remarked, “I’d like to see more women elected… if we’re going to really uphold a fragile democracy… then you have to represent the people in the right ways, which means 54%-plus are women.”​

However, her tenure as governor has been marked by several controversies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lujan Grisham implemented strict lockdown measures, asserting that such actions were necessary to curb the virus’s spread. She stated, “Expansive lockdowns were necessary to keep COVID-19 at bay.” These measures faced criticism from various quarters, including business owners and civil liberties advocates, who questioned their impact and constitutionality. ​

Adding to the controversies, in October 2021, it was revealed that Lujan Grisham’s campaign paid $150,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim. A former campaign spokesman accused her of pouring water on his crotch and then grabbing his genitals through his clothes during a staff meeting. The governor’s office denied the allegations but claimed it opted for a settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. ​

In September 2023, Lujan Grisham issued an emergency public health order suspending the right to carry firearms in public in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, citing recent shootings involving children. This directive was met with immediate legal challenges. U.S. District Judge David Urias temporarily blocked the order, stating that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their case, referencing constitutional rights. ​

Furthermore, Lujan Grisham has faced criticism from within her own party. Her approaches to tackling addiction, mental illness, and violence have led to clashes with fellow Democrats. In December 2024, she advocated for measures compelling mentally ill and drug-addicted individuals to receive treatment, a stance that sparked debate and highlighted divisions within the party. ​
As lame duck Governor Lujan Grisham contemplates a potential presidential run, these incidents from her gubernatorial tenure are likely to be scrutinized, shaping both public perception and her political trajectory.

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Exclusive—As leftists set to riot Saturday, threats abound: ‘Get ready, f***wads!’

As Dems are set to descent upon American streets to attack Trump and “fight back,” including in New Mexico through agitating “Hands Off” protests organized by a rogue group called “Indivisible,” more threats pour in targeting the New Mexico Republican Party, which was firebombed Sunday morning following Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez demanding her supporters “agitate.”

Now, new phone calls into the GOP office show the levels of unhinged lunacy that embody the left. One such phone call is as follows:

“Yeah, I saw a report this morning on the news about your state headquarters being firebombed and ICE equals the KKK. And furthermore, I listened to some of your representatives or, let’s see, Amy Barela, Republican Party of New Mexico chairwoman, complaining on TV about how, ‘Oh, this has got to stop. Oh my, we can’t have this.’ Well, you motherf***ers should have thought about that before you attacked the Capitol on January 6th. You should have thought about that before you elected a tyrant for a president who is taking out his personal revenge on anyone that (sic) writes an article against him. Who the f*** do you sorry sons of b****es think you are? Do you think that, ‘Oh, what’s good for the goose ain’t good for the gander?’ Well, I got news for you, motherf***ers. You’re just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg. The American people have woke up to your lies, your bulls***, your fascism, your racism, your bigotry, your misogyny, and electing a g**damn orange sociopath who has violated the Constitution and his office and federal court orders. So let me tell you something, you motherf***ing b****es. You don’t like what’s happening? Get ready, f***wads! You haven’t seen anything yet.”

The same woman called back a few minutes after the first instance, with even more vulgar language, cursing 23 times in the one phone message: 

“I just listen (sic) to some b**** of yours on the TV talking about, ‘Oh, we’ve been getting the most vile calls. They use vulgar language.’ Well, welcome to the party, sons of b****es. Welcome to the f***ing party. This is what Democrats have put up for years and years of your bulls***. ‘Oh, January 6th, it was just a tourist visit.’ That motherf***ing sociopath pardoned hundreds and hundreds of convicted felons for putting out the eyes of police officers and beating police officers, and slaying them with bear spray. Oh, but if the Republicans do it, that must be okay. F*** you, you g**damn hypocrites. F*** your g**damn a**es to f***ing hell. You want to know why, b****es? Because we’re tired of taking it laying down. We’re f***ing tired of your bulls*** and hypocrisy. You’re g**damn little Nazi-a** brown shirts that threaten judges because they make rulings that Trump don’t like. F*** you! You’re little brown-shirt Nazis that phone Democratic elected officials and threaten their lives. F*** you! Now, you’re getting a taste of your own medicine. Go rot in hell, you g**damn f***ing, lying, fascist, sorry-a**, un-American, f***-wad b****es! Damn you to hell!” 

WARNING: the below recording has not been censored and all vulgarities are included. Reader discretion is advised.

Another phone call from a man who has been traced through his phone number to Albuquerque said that he wishes that Republicans were in the building when it was lit ablaze, another sentiment of violent rage from the radical left. The message is as follows: 

“Yeah. Um, saw on the news, I guess you guys suffered a fire, man. That’s too bad. They saw your statement, decrying this attack on democracy. You f***ing hypocrites. You’re destroying this government. You’re destroying democracy. You’re illegally f***ing deporting people. You’re grabbing people off the street with your secret police bulls***. I’m just sad that you guys weren’t in the f***ing building when it burned down. F*** you!”

Multiple other threatening voicemails and correspondences were sent to the GOP and elected officials. The Republican Party of New Mexico has forwarded these to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

After the GOP was firebombed and lit ablaze by radicalized domestic terrorists, the New Mexico Democrat Party released an email blaming the victims — the New Mexico Republican Party and Republican state Reps. John Block (Alamogordo) and Stefani Lord (Sandia Park) — for the attacks, claiming their rhetoric was what was responsible for the fiery blazes at the GOP headquarters. Reps. Block and Lord were recently surrounded and threatened at the Roundhouse during the recent 60-day legislative session by pro-Hamas radicals. The arson at the Republican office is being investigated as a hate crime.

For weeks, violent leftists have been torching Tesla dealerships, keying the vehicles, and even drawing swastikas and other foul messages on them amid Elon Musk’s successful work on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to stop government waste, fraud, and abuse. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported on multiple instances of Teslas being vandalized in a number of ways by residents in the capital city. The photos below are of one of the suspects, and law enforcement is seeking help in identifying this individual, who is still on the lam. 

Now, on Saturday, these same violent hooligans are set to hit the streets again for more agitation and likely violence. The group writes on its website, “We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis. On April 5, we will host events across the country, in major cities and small towns in every state. Our goal is to show that the people—the majority—are taking action to stop the corruption and power grab.” 

There are protests planned for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Silver City, Alamogordo, Truth or Consequences, Socorro, Portales, Los Lunas, Ramah, Gallup, and Taos. It is advised that New Mexicans stay vigilant and aware of these situations and avoid these areas for citizens’ own safety. These radicals have shown they are quick to violence and emboldened by their elected Democrat officials, such as Rep. Leger Fernandez. 

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Val Kilmer, ‘Top Gun’ star who owned NM ranch, passes away

Val Kilmer, the iconic actor recognized for his roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, has passed away at the age of 65.

His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to The New York Times that he died on Tuesday, April 1, due to pneumonia. She also noted that Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2014 and later recovered from.

Kilmer had largely retreated from public life in recent years, though he made a rare appearance in June 2019 for his TwainMania Foundation. He was joined at the event by his son, Jack Kilmer.

The appearance came as he prepared for his brief but touching role in Top Gun: Maverick, the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 blockbuster. Tom Cruise, who reprised his role in the film, had expressed excitement in 2018 about working with Kilmer again, calling it “special.”

After years of speculation regarding his health, Kilmer addressed his medical struggles in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, revealing his two-year fight with throat cancer had profoundly impacted both him and his family. A tracheostomy had left his voice permanently altered and his breathing limited.

Concerns about Kilmer’s health first arose publicly in January 2015, when he was hospitalized. While a spokesperson at the time cited a possible tumor, Kilmer later clarified on Facebook that he had simply experienced a complication, saying, “I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU.”

He continued to push back against health rumors throughout 2015 and 2016, at times appearing in public with a tracheostomy tube and later without it. In one post, he wrote, “I have not had a tumor, or a tumor operation… I am praying for a speedy return to the boards as they say.”

Born in Los Angeles in 1959, Kilmer was the middle of three sons born to Eugene and Gladys Kilmer. His parents divorced during his youth, and tragedy struck in 1977 when his younger brother, Wesley, died at just 15 years old.

“He was a genius,” Kilmer told The New York Times in 2002, remembering Wesley as a gifted young filmmaker with dreams that could have rivaled Spielberg or Lucas.

Following Wesley’s death, Kilmer found solace in acting and was accepted into Juilliard’s prestigious Drama Division, becoming the youngest student at the time to join the program. Reflecting on that period during a 2005 Juilliard talk, he shared, “I had a unique experience because I just lost my little brother a week before I started school… the extremely high standards and the activity of the School I’m sure were good for me… I was forced to really challenge myself about my very life.”

Kilmer’s film debut came in the 1984 comedy Top Secret!, where he showcased both his comedic timing and musical talents. But it was his role as Iceman in Top Gun that cemented his status as a Hollywood star. Reflecting on that experience with Larry King in 2013, Kilmer said, “It was fun. My guy didn’t like [Cruise], but it was fun to not like him.”

He later received critical acclaim for his performance as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), where he portrayed the legendary rock star with remarkable intensity—learning Morrison’s songs and adopting his persona for the role.

Kilmer married British actress Joanne Whalley in 1988 after the two met while filming Willow. They had two children—Mercedes in 1991 and Jack in 1995—before divorcing in 1996.

In addition to his acting work, Kilmer was a proud longtime resident of New Mexico. He owned a ranch near Pecos and was actively involved in local culture and preservation efforts, often expressing his deep love for the state’s landscapes and spirit. His passion for Mark Twain and American history also inspired community and arts outreach throughout the region.

In his later years, Kilmer continued to act and also wrote and starred in a one-man stage show, Citizen Twain, embodying the legendary author with characteristic dedication.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack.

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Dems now victim-blaming NM Republicans after firebombing hate crime

In a show of complete shamelessness, New Mexico Democrats are blaming the victims — the New Mexico Republican Party and GOP officials — for being the target of a violent arson attack that blew up the entranceway to the Albuquerque headquarters. Rather than condemning the political violence outright, Democrats are inflaming tensions and inciting further hostility by recklessly targeting GOP leaders like Reps. John Block (R-Alamogordo), Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), and Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela. Their dangerous and provably false rhetoric not only undermines the gravity of the violence but also puts these officials at direct risk.

While the FBI and ATF investigate the fire as a suspected arson — with fire-starting materials recovered from the scene — Democrat leaders have chosen to escalate, not de-escalate. State Democrats issued a press release loaded with inflammatory claims, including the absurd accusation that Republican lawmakers had been part of a crowd “calling for murder.” Not only is this untrue, it’s libelous, as pointed out by Rep. Lord. 

Rep. John Block — who is the editor and founder of the Piñon Post —was not even present at the event in question, and despite repeated attempts by Democrats to link him to the January 6 Capitol incursion, he never set foot inside or near the building nor participated in any violence. His presence at a peaceful rally attended by 53,000+ other peaceful Trump supporters — miles from the Capitol steps — appears to be another tired and debunked attempt to tie him to violence.

Chairwoman Amy Barela made clear during a Monday press conference: “This was not just an attack on our building. This was an attack on our values, our free speech, and the right of every New Mexican that wants to participate in the democratic process without fear.” She also revealed to Fox News that the targeted attack was being investigated as a hate crime.

But instead of standing with those under threat, Democrats doubled down. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, whose words to “legislate, litigate, agitate” were cited by Republicans as dangerously timed mere hours before the firebombing, dismissed concerns with shocking callousness. 

In comments to KOB 4, she accused Republicans of hypocrisy for condemning violence instead of apologizing for her call to “agitate,” claiming, “It’s ludicrous to have Republicans, who themselves have participated in violent protests, to accuse me of inciting violence.” She added, “We actually passed the sign of peace” at her town hall — an empty gesture in light of the inflammatory language she used just before the GOP headquarters went up in flames.

Leger Fernandez’s attempt to turn the blame onto Rep. Block — lying that he was involved in violent protests — further inflames the situation and spreads outright disinformation. These reckless allegations endanger GOP leaders by portraying them as instigators of violence when, in reality, they have consistently and unequivocally condemned it, including the January 6 unrest.

Instead of answering the call to stand above the violence they have inflamed, Democrats released a memorandum weaponizing the tragedy to smear GOP leaders with fabricated associations to extremism, referencing long-debunked connections and even citing the crimes of individuals wholly unrelated to the party’s current leadership. The memo accuses Chairwoman Barela of turning a blind eye to extremism simply because she has appeared in photos with GOP figures like Voice of America chief Kari Lake and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene — a clear attempt at guilt by association rather than substantive critique.

Rep. Stefani Lord called the Democratic Party’s allegations “libelous,” and Sen. Nicole Tobiassen said their claims are “desperate.”

In the face of a violent attack, New Mexico Republicans have called for unity, calm, and a return to civility. Democrats, however, have responded with personal attacks, misinformation, and what amounts to political gaslighting — accusing their opponents of the very behaviors they themselves are fueling.

Rather than take responsibility for inflaming tensions, Rep. Leger Fernandez and her allies are engaging in dangerous victim-blaming — further endangering those already under attack. If Democrats genuinely oppose political violence, they should begin by ceasing the kind of reckless rhetoric that invites it.

Dems now victim-blaming NM Republicans after firebombing hate crime Read More »

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