New Mexico

Lujan Grisham fueled LA riots — Now she wants ‘order’ in NM

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Just days after defending violent anti-Trump agitators in Los Angeles who attacked federal agents and torched city blocks, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is now laughably claiming she has “zero tolerance” for violence during upcoming protests across the Land of Enchantment.

Following the lawless chaos in L.A., where criminal illegal aliens and leftist extremists clashed with federal officers, Lujan Grisham signed on to a Democratic Governors Association (DGA) statement blasting President Trump for deploying the National Guard to restore order. The DGA outrageously accused Trump of “abusing power,” while completely ignoring the fact that federal agents were under siege and risking their lives to stop the insurrection.

Critics swiftly condemned the Democrat governors’ defense of the mob. “Every Democrat governor just endorsed lawlessness and chaos on American streets,” wrote the Republican Governors Association. “Putting people’s lives at risk.”

Lujan Grisham’s own record leaves no room for ambiguity. From removing National Guard troops from New Mexico’s southern border on day one of her governorship, to mocking Trump’s border wall in a campaign stunt, and more recently, signing laws to shield criminal aliens and permit non-citizens to police U.S. citizens, she has consistently sided with open borders and against law enforcement.

Now, as “No Kings Day” protests spread across New Mexico this weekend—with events planned in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Alamogordo, and more—Lujan Grisham is suddenly posturing as the enforcer of law and order.

Asked by KOAT what she expects from the protests, the governor declared: “Demonstrate their opinions in a peaceful, meaningful way, and we will have zero tolerance for violence and illegal acts.”

But the protests she’s now pretending to police are being fueled by the same far-left forces she defended just days earlier. These “No Kings” events are part of the so-called “50501 Movement”—a coalition of radical progressive activists staging anti-Trump demonstrations across all 50 states, including at least 17 locations in New Mexico alone on June 14.

While organizers claim the events are peaceful, they are bankrolled by some of the most extreme groups on the left: the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the League of Conservation Voters, the Human Rights Campaign, Bernie Sanders’ campaign network, the far-left “Center for Biological Diversity,” and even the “Patriotic Millionaires” who push anti-capitalist policies while living in luxury. These are the same kinds of dark-money-backed entities that fueled violence in L.A., where anarchists, criminal aliens, and Antifa-aligned mobs openly attacked law enforcement.

Here in New Mexico, the movement is using the occasion of Flag Day—also President Trump’s birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army—to sow division and provoke unrest. Their own rhetoric makes it clear. “The wannabe dictator wants a party? Well then, let’s show him some ‘love,’” one post read on social media.

The movement brags that it’s organizing protests “everywhere he isn’t” while calling for “no thrones, no crowns, no kings”—language that critics say is designed to incite rather than inspire.

And New Mexicans are right to be wary. Under Lujan Grisham’s far-left administration, crime has surged so severely that she had to call in the National Guard to help control the streets of Albuquerque—a city already suffering under Democrat Mayor Tim Keller’s failed leadership. Now, those same streets may become the next front in a nationwide campaign of coordinated chaos.

Despite all this, Lujan Grisham wants the public to believe she’s suddenly against violence. After helping stoke the flames of rebellion in Los Angeles, her last-minute pivot to “zero tolerance” rings hollow.

New Mexicans won’t be fooled. They know exactly where their governor stands—and it isn’t with law enforcement or the law-abiding public. It’s with the mob.

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Gabe Vasquez muzzles voters on X — then blames Elon Musk

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As elected officials across New Mexico keep their social media channels open for public feedback, including sharp criticism, far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of Las Cruces has chosen a different path: censorship.

Vasquez, the only member of New Mexico’s congressional delegation to disable public comments on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, is drawing fire for what critics call a clear attempt to dodge accountability and avoid tough questions. While fellow Democrats like Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Rep. Melanie Stansbury allow public engagement, despite the often rough-and-tumble nature of online discourse (for obvious reasons), Vasquez has instead hidden behind a selective, tightly controlled narrative.

Even Stansbury, who faced widespread backlash for holding a performative “This is not normal” sign during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in March, didn’t shut down public discourse. The moment, captured in a viral image showing Texas Rep. Lance Gooden snatching the sign away, drew more than 24,000 replies. Stansbury’s reaction? She doubled down on transparency.

“Free speech is a cornerstone of democracy and enshrined in our Constitution,” Stansbury said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “That is why I will always be an advocate for free speech, whether I agree with what is being said or not.”

In sharp contrast, Vasquez has taken the coward’s way out — hiding behind an arbitrary “policy” that claims his X account is “not a public forum.” His office blames Elon Musk, citing a decline in “monitoring and quality” since Musk acquired the platform. But instead of owning his own aversion to public scrutiny, Vasquez is using Musk as a convenient scapegoat — a move that reeks of political cowardice.

“The purpose of this [X account] is for Rep. Vasquez to communicate… It is not a public forum,” his social media policy reads. In other words: He talks, you listen. No replies allowed.

This heavy-handed approach is especially troubling given that Vasquez represents New Mexico’s only swing district and barely eked out victories in both of his races under suspicious circumstances. His refusal to engage transparently with constituents on one of the most widely used platforms in politics only deepens concerns about his fitness for office.

While his spokesperson claims he’s “talking to residents every day” about issues like rising costs and healthcare, the congressman’s actions online paint a different picture: one of an elected official more concerned with controlling his image than hearing from the people he represents. It is also implausible he is “talking to residents every day” unless he pledges to answer phones or have direct contact with New Mexicans who visit his office each and every day (unlikely), making his lack of openness on social media that much more opaque for voters.

By contrast, even far-left figures like lame duck Gov. Lujan Grisham maintain open comment sections. “The comments section isn’t always for the faint of heart,” her office acknowledged. “But the Governor is committed to transparency and accessibility.”

Apparently, Vasquez isn’t.

As he hides behind firewalls and PR spin, voters should be asking: What is Gabe Vasquez so afraid of? Why does he fear public input on a platform where others in his own party remain unfiltered and accessible?

If his policies are truly helping everyday New Mexicans, he shouldn’t need to muzzle dissent. But by silencing critics and blaming Elon Musk for his own lack of transparency, Vasquez is showing his true colors — and they’re anything but democratic.

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Far-left extremists plan 17 anti-Trump riots across NM on Flag Day

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Radical leftist agitators are planning a series of coordinated demonstrations across New Mexico on June 14, targeting President Donald Trump with what they’re branding as “No Kings” protests. But what organizers portray as “peaceful protests” have all the hallmarks of the kind of far-left mob activity that has already sparked violent insurrections in places like Los Angeles, where criminal aliens and anarchists recently clashed with federal law enforcement officers.

The so-called “50501 Movement”—standing for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement—has aligned with fringe progressive groups to launch what they claim is a “nationwide day of defiance” against Trump’s leadership, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Flag Day, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Sponsors include teacher’s unions like AFT and NEA, “climate change” groups like the League of Conservation Voters, the anti-farmer and anti-rancher “Center for Biological Diversity,” Bernie Sanders’ campaign, pro-transgender group the “Human Rights Campaign,” the group promoting far-left wealthy people “Patriotic Millionaires,” among many other dark money entities seeking to cause unrest.

Here in New Mexico, as of publishing, 17 of these events are slated to erupt in cities and towns from Farmington to Hobbs, Santa Fe to Las Cruces, with multiple flashpoints expected in Albuquerque. These are not organic gatherings, but carefully planned political theater meant to stir unrest and inflame tensions.

“We’re taking action to reject authoritarianism,” the movement’s website reads. “We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind.”

However, critics argue that the only thing these protesters seem to be creating is chaos. The group boasts it will demonstrate “everywhere he isn’t,” claiming, “No thrones, no crowns, no kings,” while pushing inflammatory rhetoric that has already inspired riots and lawless behavior across the country. 

New Mexico—still reeling from the consequences of Democrat policies that have hamstrung law enforcement and opened the door to rising crime—is now poised to become the next hotbed for extremist unrest. In fact, crime is so bad in New Mexico that far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham deployed the National Guard to assist Albuquerque police amid the unprecedented waves of crime in Democrat Mayor Tim Keller’s failing city. 

The protest campaign directly targets the Flag Day military parade in Washington, D.C., which President Trump has defended as a patriotic show of strength and national unity. “I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday,” Trump said in an interview. “It’s peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”

Yet far-left activists are using the parade as a springboard to launch what they hope will be a spectacle of dissent. On Instagram, the 50501 Movement declared: “The wannabe dictator wants a party? Well then, let’s show him some ‘love.’”

This kind of antagonism—broadcast under the guise of “democracy”—raises alarms for residents across the Land of Enchantment, where many are still recovering from years of soft-on-crime policies and border insecurity. Cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe have seen surges in violence and property damage during previous protests tied to national progressive causes.

While organizers insist the demonstrations will be “peaceful,” New Mexicans know too well how quickly these events can spiral. With extremist slogans, coordinated messaging, and escalating hostility, these June 14 protests risk bringing the same scenes of vandalism and street violence to New Mexico that have already erupted in California.

As President Trump and federal law enforcement officials continue to work on restoring law and order nationwide, the people of New Mexico are left wondering: Will these protests bring more instability to our communities, and who will be held accountable when they do?

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Open-borders activist Vasquez breaks silence on LA illegal alien riots

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Open-borders activist Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a Democrat from New Mexico’s 2nd district, released what can only be called a petulant rant via X post aimed at federal efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens who were actively attacking immigration officers. Vasquez complained that Trump’s decision “turns federal agents and the military against American citizens” and “transforms our streets into war zones,” whining that it establishes a “chilling precedent.” The X post was locked from his constituents commenting, as all his other posts are — a testament to his lack of transparency.

In reality, the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles under Title 10 authority—an extraordinary step last seen in 1965—was not aimed at ordinary citizens, but at violent insurrectionists. Trump acted in response to criminal alien mobs hurling concrete and rocks at Border Patrol and ICE agents during enforcement actions. These protests escalated into what Trump rightly called “violent, insurrectionist mobs” and a “migrant invasion” as demonstrators attempted to halt deportation operations. Rioters set fires, blew up cars, many of them electric and emitting toxic fumes, and looted local shops and stores in acts of depravity.

Curiously, Vasquez fails to condemn the violence unleashed by these illegal-alien extremists. Instead, he chose to lash out at Trump’s decisive action to protect law enforcement and restore order. The deployment followed riots in downtown Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton, where protesters set vehicles on fire—including California Highway Patrol and Waymo autonomous cars—and attacked federal officers with bottles and concrete. Over 100 arrests were made amid the chaotic scenes. 

Vasquez’s tantrum comes on the heels of a record of radical open-borders rhetoric catalogued by our previous reporting. He previously dismissed Trump’s border-enforcement measures as a “made-for-TV stunt,” calling them “misguided and wasteful,” even though he acknowledged Trump had reduced illegal entries. He labeled the border wall “racist,” demanded it be “torn down,” and disparaged it as “ineffective,” “costly,” and “a symbol of hate.” He went further, calling border-security efforts “a glorification of xenophobia,” “environmentally destructive,” “massive wastes of money,” and said building walls was “in bad taste.” 

What’s more, he has called for dismantling ICE entirely—accusing it of having “no regard for humanity”—and celebrated when President Biden halted wall construction. Even amid active criminal scenarios, Vasquez smugly declared the “border crisis” a “non-existent threat.”

This isn’t moderate critique or “compassionate reform.” It’s ideological zeal from a lawmaker fixated on optics rather than addressing real threats. Now, Vasquez tries to twist Trump’s actions as targeting citizens, but that’s a straw-man attack. It was aimed squarely at criminal illegal aliens leading insurrectionist violence.

Trump’s response was straightforward: deploying federal forces under a valid Title 10 order, with Marines on standby and National Guard mobilized, not to terrorize citizens, but to protect federal agents from anarchic criminal alien mobs.

Vasquez labeled that necessary enforcement a “war zone,” yet ignores how local L.A. officials, despite so-called “sanctuary status,” warned that federal agents and officers were overwhelmed. Criminal mobs were the ones causing terror, not Trump.

Bottom line: Vasquez isn’t calling for smarter policy—he’s whining because enforcement actually occurred. His open-borders obsession has led him to dismiss violent criminal actions by illegal aliens, ghosting their threats in favor of a partisan narrative. Voters in border districts suffering from cartel trafficking and migrant violence deserve genuine safety, not sanctimonious obsession with tearing down state authority and flattening law enforcement.

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Lujan Grisham defends rioters attacking federal agents in Los Angeles

44 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is once again siding with criminality and chaos over law and order—this time, joining a coalition of Democrat governors condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of California’s National Guard to restore order in Los Angeles. The statement, issued by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), blasts Trump’s move as an “abuse of power” while ignoring the reality on the ground: federal agents are facing violent uprisings, including attacks from criminal illegal aliens and radical agitators, while attempting to enforce the law and uphold their constitutional duties.

As President Trump acts decisively to quell unrest and secure the streets, Lujan Grisham and her far-left colleagues have responded not with support for law enforcement but with partisan outrage. 

The DGA’s statement claims that deploying National Guard forces without a governor’s approval is “ineffective and dangerous,” and even goes as far as accusing the president of “undermining the mission of our service members.”

But critics say it’s Governor Lujan Grisham who is undermining public safety and the rule of law.

“The Democratic governors are defending the lawless. Every Democrat governor just endorsed lawlessness and chaos on American streets. Putting people’s lives at risk,” wrote the Republican Governors Association in a direct rebuke of the DGA’s statement.

Governor Lujan Grisham’s record speaks for itself. One of her very first acts in office back in 2019 was to remove National Guard troops from the southern border—signaling to both illegal immigrants and criminal cartels that New Mexico would no longer cooperate with federal efforts to secure the border. Her open-borders agenda has continued ever since.

In one of her most infamous political stunts, Lujan Grisham released a campaign ad in which she literally ran through a wall in an attempt to mock President Trump’s border security policies. The bizarre video was widely ridiculed but symbolized her ongoing hostility toward any serious effort to control illegal immigration.

She recently signed legislation to allow non-citizens to become law enforcers in New Mexico, as well as legislation to ban compliance with federal authorities acting to find criminal aliens present in the state.

Now, she’s extending that hostility to President Trump’s efforts to protect American communities from violent unrest.

Far-left Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico’s First Congressional District defended the illegal alien rioters, claiming they were the United States’ “own people,” which is false, and not acknowledging that the rioters were attacking federal authorities, requiring a federal response, as Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other Democrat officials refused to stop the lawlessness.

Antifa, radicalized terrorist sympathizers, George Soros-linked groups, among others, helped organize the Los Angeles protest, according to multiple reports.

While President Trump is working to restore order in Los Angeles, where federal officers are under siege by violent mobs, including illegal aliens, Governor Lujan Grisham is busy penning statements of outrage, defending criminals, and undermining the brave men and women who are risking their lives to defend the public.

Her allegiance lies not with the citizens of New Mexico or the law-abiding residents of America’s cities, but with the radical fringe that seeks to dismantle law enforcement and sabotage efforts to restore peace.

As violent unrest spirals out of control, Americans are watching closely. And they will remember which leaders stood for order—and which ones, like Michelle Lujan Grisham, chose chaos.

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Santa Fe liberals panic as Curry County, ICE make power move

28 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Curry County, New Mexico, has become the first law enforcement agency in the state to enter into a formal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), taking a bold and much-needed stand in support of border security and the rule of law. Under a May 9 agreement, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the federal Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program, allowing specially trained county jail staff to execute ICE-issued administrative immigration warrants.

This partnership, signed by Sheriff Mike Brockett and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, marks a significant step forward in local-federal collaboration to remove criminal illegal aliens from communities. It comes at a time when open-borders rhetoric dominates New Mexico politics, and some progressive municipalities work actively to shield illegal immigrants from immigration enforcement.

“While our office routinely serves warrants on behalf of other law enforcement agencies, this specific agreement with [the Department of Homeland Security] is new,” Brockett explained. “Participating in the [WSO model] assists DHS in prioritizing the removal of noncitizens who pose a threat to our community due to their criminal behavior.”

Brockett emphasized that the agreement applies strictly within the county jail and actually reduces the need for ICE to conduct enforcement operations in the broader community. “Our participation in the program is limited to the confines of our jail and reduces the need for ICE to conduct arrests within the community,” he said, calling it a “common-sense tool.”

This partnership is a direct rebuke to the left-wing policies pushed by Attorney General Raúl Torrez and others in Santa Fe, who have warned against cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Torrez’s office issued a cautionary memo earlier this year, warning of increased costs and alleged erosion of community trust under such agreements.

But Brockett disagreed. “I disagree with the NM DOJ on their perspective regarding 287(g) programs,” he wrote, referencing the legal framework that allows for such cooperation between federal and local law enforcement. This framework was revived and strengthened under President Donald Trump’s renewed commitment to secure the southern border and enforce immigration law.

Curry County is participating in the lightest of the three 287(g) models, which allows local officers to assist ICE with warrant service and custody transfers — a narrow and practical form of assistance that enhances public safety without burdening officers with full immigration enforcement responsibilities.

Still, the far-left is up in arms. The ACLU’s Becca Sheff accused Curry County of choosing “politics over people” and criticized the agreement’s initial lack of publicity, despite it being listed on ICE’s database of pending agreements.

In reality, the outrage from leftist activists and politicians is about maintaining New Mexico’s sanctuary stronghold, which includes counties like Santa Fe, Doña Ana, and Bernalillo, all of which have passed resolutions limiting cooperation with ICE. These sanctuary policies have directly undermined public safety and shielded dangerous criminals from removal.

A prior ICE agreement with the New Mexico Corrections Department in 2007 authorized prison staff to engage in immigration enforcement, though the agency says it has no current plans to revive that effort.

Despite political pressure, Curry County is prioritizing safety and standing firm in its resolve. With over 600 active ICE-local partnerships nationwide, Curry County is now part of a growing network committed to restoring law and order in the wake of the Biden administration’s catastrophic border policies. President Trump’s leadership has revitalized these partnerships and empowered local agencies to act.

Their move is a model for other counties in New Mexico that are tired of being told to ignore federal law while illegal aliens with criminal records are released back into their neighborhoods.

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Leger Fernandez makes spectacularly dumb claim about Biden’s border

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In a stunning display of denialism during a June 3 U.S. House Rules Committee hearing, far-left Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) attempted to rewrite history, declaring, “But I do think that it is important that we stay rooted in fact. And the reality is there were no open borders during Biden.”

The comment quickly ignited a firestorm of criticism from Republicans, border security advocates, and anyone familiar with the reality of America’s recent border crisis.

Ben Petersen of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) rebuked the statement on X, writing:

“Record-breaking MILLIONS of illegal immigrant crossings, overwhelmed border towns & cartel criminals running wild say otherwise.”

Leger Fernandez’s claim is not only false—it’s blatantly contradicted by government data and the lived experiences of border state residents. During Joe Biden’s term from 2021 to early 2025, the United States suffered the worst border crisis in modern history, marked by record-shattering numbers of illegal border crossings.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), more than 7.8 million illegal alien encounters occurred under Biden’s watch—the highest ever recorded in a comparable timeframe. This doesn’t even account for those who were not encountered or those who got away, estimated to be far exceeding a grand total of ten million illegal aliens who lawlessly flooded into the country. Fiscal Year 2022 alone saw a jaw-dropping 2.76 million encounters, and the crisis only intensified until President Donald J. Trump returned to office in January 2025.

Since Trump’s return, the border has undergone a dramatic turnaround. Reinstating policies like Remain in Mexico, expanding deportations, and authorizing the completion of the border wall, President Trump has overseen a 95% drop in illegal crossings compared to the same period the previous year, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Some immigration analysts, including those at the Center for Immigration Studies, have even noted that the U.S. is now experiencing the lowest levels of illegal crossings in decades—if not ever.

This resurgence of enforcement has also disrupted cartel operations and slowed the flow of fentanyl and human trafficking across the border, clear proof that secure borders save lives.

Compare that to the Biden years, when the administration dismantled successful Trump-era policies on Day One, ended Title 42, and effectively adopted a de facto open borders policy. The result was predictable: overwhelmed border towns, surging crime, and lives lost at the hands of illegal aliens who should never have been released into the country.

One such victim was 22-year-old Kayla Hamilton, who was raped and murdered by an MS-13 gang member allowed to enter illegally and placed into a resettlement program.

Tren de Aragua gang members from Venezuela even took over apartment complexes and terrorized residents in places such as Aurora, Colorado. Mt. Cristo Rey was also conquered by cartel smugglers under Biden’s reign. 

Leger Fernandez’s desperate attempt to shield the Biden administration from accountability isn’t just dishonest—it’s dangerous. As a representative from a border state, her refusal to acknowledge the facts betrays her constituents and undermines the safety of all Americans. Her actions, along with those of her U.S. House colleagues, Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez from the New Mexico delegation, to shield illegal aliens from accountability, also speak volumes. Vasquez represents the borderlands of southern New Mexico, where he faces a tough reelection.

Thanks to President Trump, the border is finally being secured once again—but voters should remember who helped create the crisis in the first place.

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Fourth candidate likely to join crowded Dem primary for governor

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Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, a two-term Democrat under current far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, known more for his roots in Silver City than for leading statewide, is expected to announce this week whether he will jump into the 2026 gubernatorial race or seek a different political lifeline: the presidency of Western New Mexico University, which is still reeling from a multi-million-dollar severance scandal.

Morales, 52, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that he wasn’t leaning toward a run for governor until he received “an outpouring of encouragement” from supporters. “The calls coming in really made me second-guess the way I was leaning,” he said Tuesday. Morales plans to meet with advisers before making a decision.

But skepticism remains about whether Morales, who finished a distant fourth in the 2014 Democrat primary for governor, has the political firepower to mount a serious campaign, especially against better-known and better-funded opponents, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

So far, three Democrats have entered the race, including former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland under Joe Biden, who reportedly raised nearly $3 million in just three months. Bernalillo County District Attorney and gun confiscation activist Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima round out the field. That leaves Morales potentially splitting the vote with another southern New Mexico contender, while two well-known Albuquerque-based candidates may dominate the race in the state’s most populous region.

Morales himself acknowledged that a larger field would help his odds. In 2014, as a relatively unknown state senator, he received just 14% of the primary vote. Though he now holds the second-highest elected office in the state, his statewide political impact remains modest.

Moreover, Morales openly admitted he’s not sure if vocal encouragement will translate into campaign donations—an essential question for any serious contender. “Not necessarily,” he said when asked if money would be the determining factor. “I have children who are still in school.”

That personal angle hints at another option Morales is eyeing—one arguably more aligned with his background in education and his current lifestyle: becoming president of Western New Mexico University, his alma mater. However, that position comes with its own set of challenges.

The university, located in Morales’ hometown of Silver City, is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Former President Joseph Shepard received a $1.9 million payout to resign, approved by a group of regents appointed by Gov. Lujan Grisham. Shepard was then offered a $200,000-per-year teaching position that required only two online business classes per semester.

In light of that controversy, four new regents (also appointed by Lujan Grisham) are overseeing the search for an interim president this summer, with a full-scale national search expected to stretch into 2026. Morales, who holds a doctorate in education and once coached high school baseball, says the school has deep personal meaning for him. “I grew up on that campus. It’s special to me,” he said.

Still, if Morales seeks the WNMU job, he’ll face fierce national competition. And while he’s positioned himself as a “down-to-earth” public servant, it remains to be seen if the university’s leadership, marred by allegations of mismanagement and self-dealing, can regain public trust, no matter who takes the reins.

In a Democrat Party already leaning toward nationally connected, far-left candidates, Morales would either have to moderate himself with cheesy slogans and costumes like Bregman or embrace the far-left radicalism of Lujan Grisham or Haaland. 

In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull remains the lone candidate, while others have expressed interest.

Fourth candidate likely to join crowded Dem primary for governor Read More »

Tragic end to traffic stop: Bloomfield officer gunned down in line of duty

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Officer Timothy Ontiveros of the Bloomfield Police Department has died from injuries sustained during a violent encounter earlier in the week. The incident occurred during a traffic stop, where Ontiveros was shot in the neck and shoulder by 58-year-old Dennis Armenta. A fellow officer returned fire, fatally shooting Armenta.

Ontiveros was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital following the shooting, where he underwent extensive treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff and support from his fellow officers, Ontiveros succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

“We’re really sad and disheartened on the current events that happened with Officer Ontiveros’s injuries,” said Bloomfield Police Chief Phillip Francisco. “A valiant effort was made to bring him back and recover from his injuries, but unfortunately, he lost that battle today.”

Chief Francisco remembered Ontiveros as a respected member of the department, though he had only been with Bloomfield PD since December 2024. “He was a very likeable person. He was very calm, very approachable… in that time, he got accommodations from citizens about his demeanor, how professional and approachable he was,” Francisco said.

Before joining Bloomfield PD, Ontiveros served with the Farmington Police Department and had volunteered as a firefighter with the Aztec Fire Department since 2017.

Officials confirmed Ontiveros will be transferred to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. Funeral details have not yet been finalized.

In a statement, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety expressed its condolences:

“It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we bid farewell to Officer Timothy Ontiveros of the Bloomfield Police Department… Officer Ontiveros has fought with extraordinary courage, supported by tireless medical professionals at UNMH and steadfastly watched over by members of the New Mexico State Police.

Our deepest condolences go out to Officer Ontiveros’s family, friends, and loved ones. We also stand in solidarity with the Bloomfield Police Department and the entire Bloomfield community during this incredibly painful time. Officer Ontiveros served with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The Department reaffirmed its support for Ontiveros’s loved ones and the Bloomfield community, pledging to honor his service and memory.

According to a Facebook post from the Bloomfield Police Department, the suspect has a violent and bloody past and was released back onto the streets to cause havoc, including:

– **Date: 04-25-2023** – Aggravated Assault (Armed with an Axe), FPD Case #2023-22851

– **Date: 01-03-2021** – Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, FPD Case #2021-397

– **Date: 08-31-2013** – DWI, BPD Case #2013-7607

– **Date: 04-15-2025** – Threatening Hospital and Staff (SJRMC), FPD Case #2025-24198

– **Date: 08-22-2024** – Criminal Trespass, Concealing Identification, Obstructing an Officer, BPD #2024-8860

– **Date: 05-10-2012** – Criminal Trespass, Resisting Arrest, FPD Case #2021-24169

Tragic end to traffic stop: Bloomfield officer gunned down in line of duty Read More »

Keller ‘proud’ NM counties, cities listed as ‘sanctuaries’ for criminal aliens

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As the Trump administration moves decisively to uphold federal immigration laws and protect American citizens, far-left Democrat leaders in New Mexico are proudly doubling down on their defiance. 

Chief among them is Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who took to X to gloat about the city’s inclusion on the Department of Homeland Security’s official list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” — an indicator of non-compliance with federal immigration statutes.

“We expected this designation — Albuquerque’s immigrant-friendly policies reflect who we are,” Keller posted, calling it “a badge of courage” and vowing not to be “bullied” into enforcing federal law. Rather than expressing concern about the potential loss of federal funds or the safety implications of harboring criminal aliens, Keller made clear that his administration is committed to ideological resistance, no matter the cost to law-abiding residents.

The list, published on May 29, includes 23 New Mexico counties and two cities — Albuquerque and Santa Fe — that, according to DHS, refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This followed President Donald Trump’s April 28 executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funding from jurisdictions that shield illegal aliens from deportation.

In a statement that underscores the lawless posture of sanctuary cities, DHS wrote: “Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

But rather than taking this warning seriously, Democrats like Keller seem emboldened. His X post reflects the same out-of-touch political theater that has defined the progressive left’s stance on immigration, where shielding criminal aliens is viewed as virtuous, and federal law is something to scoff at.

Indeed, it’s not just defiance — it’s negligence. The dangerous policies pushed by Keller and fellow Democrats, including far-left Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, jeopardize public safety and disrespect the rule of law. The governor’s office, instead of committing to work with federal authorities, issued a deflective statement suggesting that counties might have been “mischaracterized.” No apology. No commitment to course-correct. Just more spin.

Meanwhile, radical organizations like the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center are already planning to double down in the next legislative session to further “protect” illegal immigrants, with the enthusiastic backing of progressive lawmakers and municipal leaders.

It’s no wonder New Mexico continues to struggle with crime, drug trafficking, and cartel violence. Sanctuary policies attract criminals, overwhelm resources, and endanger legal residents. President Trump’s administration is finally putting sanctuary jurisdictions on notice. Whether New Mexico Democrats will ever put citizens first remains to be seen — but judging by Keller’s gloating, their loyalty lies not with the American people, but with lawlessness.

Keller ‘proud’ NM counties, cities listed as ‘sanctuaries’ for criminal aliens Read More »

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