Politics

MLG uses national TV spot to spread strange border lies and Medicaid panic

1 Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a revealing interview on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday, lame duck far-left Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham doubled down on failed progressive policies while lobbing partisan attacks at Republicans, defending a bloated Medicaid system, and criticizing common-sense border security initiatives championed by popular President Donald Trump.

Grisham, who governs the state with the highest Medicaid enrollment per capita, railed against proposed Republican Medicaid reforms, calling them a “disaster” and accusing conservatives of wanting to “destroy health care as we know it.” Despite acknowledging that over 70% of her state’s Medicaid budget comes from federal funds, she offered no realistic plan for sustainability—only vague assurances that New Mexico would “do everything they can” to fill the gap.

In a fearmongering tirade, Grisham claimed that rolling back Medicaid would result in hospital closures, higher maternal mortality, and even child deaths, stating, “People will die. Children will die.” This doomsday rhetoric ignored the legitimate fiscal concerns of a rapidly growing Medicaid system that critics argue has become bloated, wasteful, and riddled with fraud.

Rather than consider accountability or reform, the governor shifted blame and evoked the name of her Republican predecessor, Susana Martinez, accusing her administration of gutting behavioral health services during a recession—an assertion that oversimplifies a complex financial crisis the state faced at the time.

Grisham’s comments also took aim at the Trump administration’s newly declared National Defense Area along the New Mexico-Mexico border, a move aimed at cracking down on illegal crossings and enhancing national security. The governor dismissed the military’s involvement in securing the border as “disconcerting,” bizarrely likening the display of American tanks to constitutional violations.

She further insisted that immigration enforcement efforts—particularly ICE raids—are a larger concern than actual illegal border crossings, which she falsely claimed are at “the lowest” levels in years, despite record surges and mass releases under the Biden administration.

“I don’t think it is,” Grisham said when asked if the new military-secured zone helped address illegal immigration. Instead, she offered vague calls for more asylum access, suggesting that border policy should not “just be doing that to South Africans,” a non-sequitur that confused even some viewers.

The governor’s tone-deaf interview highlights how out of step she remains with voters who want secure borders, responsible governance, and fiscal reform, not more fearmongering, excuses, and ideological obstruction.

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Hundreds of criminal aliens arrested after storming military borderlands in NM

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

 In a powerful reinforcement of President Trump’s no-nonsense border security policies, federal authorities have arrested another 209 criminal aliens who illegally crossed into the United States through a newly established restricted military zone in southern New Mexico. These individuals, instead of simply facing illegal entry charges, are now subject to enhanced legal consequences under Trump-era regulations, specifically for trespassing on a designated military defense area.

The arrests occurred last week along the U.S.-Mexico border, where the U.S. Department of the Interior transferred over 109,000 acres of federal land to the U.S. Army, including a crucial 60-foot-wide corridor in Doña Ana, Luna, and Hidalgo counties. This transfer enabled the Secretary of the Army to formally declare the territory the New Mexico National Defense Area, securing it against illegal infiltration.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border conduct nighttime operations in an Army Stryker at the southern border near Deming, N.M., May 3, 2025. Credit: Army Spc. Michael Graff.

This national defense designation, initiated during the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on border violations, means criminal aliens crossing into this region can now face two additional misdemeanor charges: violating a security regulation and unauthorized entry onto military property. Each charge carries up to 18 months of incarceration on top of the standard immigration offenses.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico strongly defended the charges. “Most aliens who enter the District of New Mexico from Mexico through an area that is not a designated port of entry… and thereby enter the (restricted military area) without authorization — are not ‘engaged in apparently innocent conduct,’” federal prosecutors wrote in a May 5 filing.

Assistant federal public defender Amanda Skinner criticized the new charges, claiming in a court brief that they were “unsupported by probable cause” and “an attempt to strike a foul blow against undocumented immigrants.” But Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth rejected her motion to dismiss the charges, moving the cases forward.

The federal government is clear: intent and signage visibility are not required to prosecute. In its filings, the government stated, “If an illegal alien enters the U.S. from Mexico without going through a designated port of entry and knows that such conduct is unlawful, then he or she has violated the military regulation.” This includes those who may not have physically seen warning signs or known they were crossing into military-controlled land.

Currently, approximately 199 warning signs have been posted along the 180-mile stretch of borderland designated as restricted, with the government working to install more. Officials note that the rough, desert terrain makes placing signage difficult, but maintain that placement has been “conspicuous and appropriate.”

An affidavit from a public defender investigator noted that signs were spaced every 200 to 300 feet and sometimes stood more than 60 feet from the wall. Still, the government’s position remains firm: illegal entry is illegal, regardless of how clearly marked the area may seem to the intruder.

As cases pile up—roughly 300 recent charges now include the military trespassing offense—President Trump’s legacy of tough border enforcement continues to pay dividends. While critics cry foul over the harsh consequences, the administration’s policy leaves no ambiguity: the sovereignty of the United States will be protected, and the use of federal lands to bolster national security is both lawful and necessary.

In an age of rampant border lawlessness under previous administrations, this strategic militarization of high-traffic border areas is a potent reminder that American borders must be enforced—and that under strong leadership, they will be.

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Major election integrity win: Rio Rancho rejects attempt to scrap local voter ID

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a decisive move Thursday night, the Rio Rancho City Council voted against a controversial proposal that would have eliminated the city’s long-standing voter ID requirement for local elections. Mayor Gregg Hull praised the decision as a victory for election integrity and local control. After the 3-3 failed vote, audience members could be heard clapping and celebrating on the council’s webcast.

The ordinance, known as Ordinance 13, sought to bring Rio Rancho’s municipal elections under the umbrella of the state’s election system—a move that would have scrapped the city’s voter ID requirement in favor of state-managed rules. Proponents argued the change could save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by consolidating elections with the November cycle. However, critics warned it would weaken safeguards designed to ensure that only eligible voters cast ballots in city elections.

Mayor Hull, who recused himself from deliberations due to his gubernatorial campaign, issued a forceful statement following the council’s vote. “I am pleased that the Council voted to maintain control of our local elections,” Hull said. “It’s a shame that the legislature and the Secretary of State put our City and our Council in the impossible position to decide between the safety and security of our elections or to protect the hard-earned dollars of our taxpayers.”

Hull’s opposition to state-led municipal election mandates isn’t new. In 2017, as chairman of the New Mexico Mayors Caucus, he publicly opposed House Bill 174, which attempted to centralize local election oversight at the state level. “Local elections should be free from government overreach,” Hull reiterated in his statement. “I am thrilled that we are preserving voter intent by securing Voter ID and safeguarding our right to operate our city elections.”

But while an editorial from the Rio Rancho Observer supported moving elections to November to alleviate these costs, the editorial expressed alarm over parts of Ordinance 13 that would have extended the terms of several elected officials by nearly two years, without voter approval. “It leaves the residents of the city without a voice in who their elected representatives are for 21 months,” the editorial warned. The publication called on the council to revise the ordinance to hold elections in November 2025, rather than extending current terms through 2027 and 2029.

Despite the debate over timing and costs, Mayor Hull made clear that voter ID is a non-negotiable safeguard for the city’s elections. “If elected Governor in 2026, I will prioritize passing statewide Voter ID laws that protect legally registered voters and the integrity of our elections, while allowing municipalities to govern their own election laws and processes,” Hull pledged.

The rejection of the ordinance marks a rare rebuke of state influence over local election procedures. “Today we witnessed the amount of power Santa Fe will wield to get what they want, only this time they failed to meet the moment,” Hull said. “Rio Rancho continues to be a beacon of hope, of common sense, and a city that answers only to the people who call it home.”

Rio Rancho voters can be assured that their elections will remain under local control, and their voter ID protections intact.

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DOGE panel: Chaos erupts as Stansbury shouts over Greene in wild trans tirade

34 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a chaotic display of political theater, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), the ranking member of the DOGE Subcommittee, was gavelled down by Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) after launching into a rambling tirade defending extremist transgender ideology during a congressional hearing Wednesday.

The hearing, meant to investigate alarming instances of government waste, fraud, and abuse—including how taxpayer dollars are funneled through radical gender ideology programs—was repeatedly hijacked by Democrats attempting to derail the proceedings with irrelevant political grandstanding.

“And with that, I recognize Ms. Stansbury to defend all the trans,” Greene said dryly, setting the stage for what turned into a bizarre and embarrassing spectacle. Before Stansbury could begin, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) interrupted with a failed point of order, accusing Greene of improperly running the committee—a tactic that ultimately fell flat as Greene overruled it.

But what followed was even more absurd. Stansbury, seemingly uninterested in discussing the actual topic of government mismanagement, launched into a nearly five-minute rant accusing Republicans of “bullying trans kids” and bizarrely suggesting that the committee had been created to “do Elon Musk’s bidding.”

“This is not an oversight hearing,” Stansbury declared dismissively. “They’re bullying trans kids. They’re talking about things that have absolutely nothing to do with government oversight.”

As witnesses—including women’s rights activists—testified about the devastating impacts of biological males competing in women’s sports, Stansbury tried to reframe the hearing as an attack on “transgender” individuals, ignoring the real victims: the women and girls injured and sidelined by unfair competition.

When her allotted time expired, Greene politely reminded her: “The gentle lady’s time has expired.” But Stansbury refused to yield, continuing to shout over the chair and attempting to pose further questions to Fatima Goss Graves of the far-left National Women’s Law Center, who was there defending transgender inclusion in women’s spaces.

“You took a minute of my time, wasting my time on a non-point of order. The gentle lady’s time has expired,” Greene reiterated firmly, as Stansbury ignored the gavel and continued grandstanding. “We stand with the LGBTQ+ community, and you can gavel me until the cows come home and it won’t stop it!” she yelled, as Greene had to repeatedly pound the gavel to restore order.

The embarrassing episode exposed the dangerous lengths far-left politicians like Stansbury are willing to go to defend radical gender ideology—even at the expense of women’s safety and fairness. While the committee was focused on exposing how public funds are misused under the guise of “diversity and inclusion,” Stansbury treated the hearing as a stage for partisan theatrics, trivializing the concerns of women injured in sports and the taxpayers footing the bill.

As the hearing continued, Democrats persisted in their efforts to distract and delay, but Greene remained steadfast, ensuring witnesses could testify about how taxpayer dollars are being weaponized to promote extremist ideologies at the expense of everyday Americans.

For Rep. Stansbury, however, the day ended not with a legislative victory, but with an embarrassing spectacle—and the unmistakable sound of the chairman’s gavel silencing her failed political stunt.

DOGE panel: Chaos erupts as Stansbury shouts over Greene in wild trans tirade Read More »

Bondi touts ‘weapon of mass destruction’ seized in NM as record US drug bust

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday, standing alongside U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Ryan Ellison, that law enforcement has achieved one of the largest fentanyl seizures ever recorded in the United States, uncovering 409 kilograms of fentanyl pills and an additional 11.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder.

Alongside the fentanyl, authorities also confiscated 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.5 kilograms of cocaine, 4.5 kilograms of heroin, $5 million in cash, and 49 firearms—including rifles and pistols. Sixteen individuals, including three women, were arrested in connection with the operation. Bondi noted that six of the male suspects are in the country illegally.

The alleged leader of the trafficking network, identified as Alberto Salazar Amaya, is reportedly a high-ranking operative of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. According to Bondi, Amaya had been residing in Salem, Oregon, while orchestrating drug distribution across Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and several areas in Utah.

“We’re very proud to announce today a historic Sinaloa Cartel arrest, and it marks the most significant victory in our nation’s fight against fentanyl and drug trafficking to date,” Bondi declared during a press conference in Washington, D.C. “This multi-agency operation, led by the DEA alongside our local, state, tribal, and federal partners, targeted one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking and foreign terrorist organizations in our country.”

Bondi highlighted the sheer magnitude of the bust, noting that the DEA seized approximately 3 million fentanyl pills—describing it as “the largest seizure in our nation’s history.” She explained that the pills had been pressed to resemble oxycodone tablets and were found in various dosages.

Visuals at the press conference included posters displaying the seized firearms and mugshots of the defendants. Bondi commended the DEA agents involved, emphasizing the risks they face daily in the effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks.

She described fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” and issued a stark warning to drug dealers: “When we catch you like all of these individuals, if convicted, we will put you behind bars. There will be no negotiating, and we will lock you up for as long as humanly possible,” she said. “We will not negotiate with those who are killing our family members, including brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, parents, friends, everyone in this room.”

Bondi also made it clear she has no plans to deport the undocumented suspects. “The amount of drugs, the amount of money, the amount of weapons most of these individuals [had], if convicted, will remain in American prisons. Perhaps Alcatraz,” she added.

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New Mexico border agents nab Cuban killer with shocking criminal past

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Border Patrol agents at an interior immigration checkpoint in New Mexico recently arrested a Cuban national with what officials described as a “disturbing criminal history,” once again exposing the dangers posed by lax border security and failed open-border policies. According to a report shared by Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, the individual had a long and violent rap sheet, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement and tighter immigration controls.

The arrest occurred on April 29, when New Mexico agents intercepted the Cuban criminal alien, who had entered the country illegally. What began as a routine stop quickly turned into something far more alarming. “During a records check, the agents discovered an extensive criminal history and took the man into custody,” Banks reported.

The individual was apprehended under 8 USC 1253, a federal law that applies to non-citizens who have already been ordered removed from the United States. Shockingly, a deeper background investigation revealed that this migrant’s criminal history wasn’t just extensive—it was horrifying. According to Banks, the man had prior convictions for:

  • Murder
  • Negligent Homicide
  • Shooting from a Motor Vehicle
  • Tampering with Evidence
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Carrying a Prohibited Weapon

Banks highlighted the importance of interior checkpoints, stating, “This case underscores the critical role interior checkpoints play in protecting our communities.” Indeed, this arrest raises the glaring question: how many more like him are slipping through the cracks under current policies?

The same day, Border Patrol agents near San Luis, Arizona, made another high-profile arrest—a “recently deported high-ranking member” of the violent Paisas prison gang. This gang member had been deported just two weeks earlier after serving over five years in prison for auto theft but was already attempting to sneak back into the country, illustrating just how ineffective current deportation and re-entry prevention measures have become.

It’s worth noting that illegal re-entry after deportation is a serious federal offense, punishable by up to 20 years in prison—yet criminals continue to defy these penalties. “Border Patrol agents stay vigilant on the frontlines to detect and apprehend these criminals that try to sneak into our country,” Banks stated.

These arrests expose a troubling reality: the U.S. is facing a relentless tide of criminal aliens emboldened by weak enforcement and a political climate that too often prioritizes open-border ideology over the safety of American citizens. Incidents like these are not isolated; they are symptomatic of a system that is failing to secure the border and protect communities from dangerous individuals.

While frontline agents continue to do heroic work intercepting criminals, without meaningful policy change and genuine commitment to border security, Americans will remain vulnerable. These cases serve as urgent reminders that the cost of inaction isn’t just theoretical—it’s a clear and present danger to public safety.

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MLG dumps millions on Breaking Bad-themed anti-litter campaign: Report

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s $3.6 million “Breaking Bad Habits” anti-littering campaign, featuring actor Bryan Cranston, has garnered attention for its creative approach to a persistent issue in New Mexico. 

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

More than $2.4 million in media buys, from bus wraps and billboards to commercials on TV and various social media platforms, accounts for the bulk of the highly visible campaign. The campaign started with a total budget of $3 million, but an additional $640,000 was spent on more media buys.

Invoices and other documents obtained under a public records request show a $20,000 contract “furnishing the services of Bryan Cranston.” During a meet-and-greet with Cranston at the governor’s mansion, also in October, Cranston said he volunteered to appear in the campaign but explained “must be paid through [his] union” whenever he’s on camera. At the time, Cranston said he had donated the money to two “New Mexico-centric charities.”

While the campaign has reportedly led to over 100 cleanup events and the collection of thousands of trash bags statewide, critics question the substantial expenditure on marketing and celebrity involvement, especially when juxtaposed with other pressing needs in the state.

This initiative is part of a broader pattern of spending decisions by the governor that have raised eyebrows. In 2020, Lujan Grisham spent nearly $13,500 from a taxpayer-funded expense account on items including groceries, alcohol, and dry cleaning. Notably, over $6,500 was allocated for groceries and alcohol, with purchases such as Wagyu beef and high-end liquor. The governor later expressed regret over these expenditures, acknowledging that “more was purchased than what was necessary.” 

A recent report showed that she just recently spent an additional $96,000 on lavish expenditures —all funded by taxpayers. 

Further scrutiny arose when it was revealed that the governor’s office used state funds to cover costs for a political event at the governor’s mansion in October 2022. Although the campaign reimbursed the state $1,837 for the expenses, the incident highlighted concerns about the use of public funds for political purposes .

Additionally, an audit by the Office of the State Auditor found that the New Mexico Environment Department, under the governor’s administration, spent over $29,000 on business-class flights to Australia for a summit, a 600% increase from the initial cost estimates. The auditor deemed this a “clear case of waste of public resources.”

These instances, among others, have led to growing concerns about fiscal responsibility and the prioritization of state funds. While initiatives like the anti-littering campaign aim to address genuine issues, the associated costs and the pattern of questionable expenditures suggest a need for greater transparency and accountability in the governor’s spending decisions.

MLG dumps millions on Breaking Bad-themed anti-litter campaign: Report Read More »

SOS stumbles through podcast—trashes voter ID while hinting at political future

23 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In yet another display of arrogance and dishonesty, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver took to the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Around the Roundhouse podcast with reporter Daniel Chacón this week to once again incoherently peddle her far-left talking points—doubling down on her tired claim that New Mexico’s elections are “secure” and launching another baseless attack on commonsense voter ID laws, while struggling to formulate coherent answers, filling in inarticulate responses with “um,” “you know,” and so many other filler words to string together what barely passed as adequate replies.

Toulouse Oliver, who’s held office since 2016 thanks to a cushy political machine, wasted no time patting herself on the back for what she called New Mexico’s “number one” election integrity ranking, a laughable assertion given the state’s lax election security and refusal to adopt meaningful safeguards. While conservative states across the country have enacted voter ID laws to prevent fraud and bolster public trust, Toulouse Oliver continued to insist, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, that voter ID requirements are unnecessary.

“If you show me a problem, I will help advocate for the solution,” she declared, dismissing the very real concerns of voters who have repeatedly pointed to gaps in election security. Toulouse Oliver had the audacity to claim that voter impersonation is “extremely rare” and that enforcing ID laws is a “huge barrier” that risks disenfranchising voters. Her favorite excuse? That people might “forget” their ID, or that a poor record-keeping clerk might make a typo—arguments so flimsy they wouldn’t pass muster in a freshman debate class.

Her hostility toward voter ID and other election integrity measures is nothing new. During the podcast, she boasted about New Mexico joining lawsuits against the Trump administration for pushing election security reforms, calling the president’s efforts an “overreach” and whining about supposed “unfunded mandates.” Never mind that these are basic protections to ensure only eligible voters cast ballots—something any reasonable American would support.

Not surprisingly, Toulouse Oliver painted herself as a long-suffering public servant battling “misinformation” and “conspiracy theories,” conveniently ignoring that mistrust in elections has skyrocketed under her watch. Her solution? More tech upgrades and expanding vote-by-mail, despite glaring vulnerabilities exposed nationwide.

The Secretary also couldn’t resist hinting at her political ambitions. While playing coy about her next move, she floated finishing her PhD or potentially running for another office after her current term ends, the mark of her continued penchant to cling to power. She told Chacón, “Um, but you know, I’m still waiting to see, kind of, what the universe has … to offer up, and and um, I’ll just say never say never to running for future office. But, you know, I’m at the point where, you know, it will be 20 years in public service. And that — that’s a long career in public service.” She previously unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate against then-U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who ended up being elected U.S. senator. 

Even more concerning is Toulouse Oliver’s push for automatic voter registration—another way to inflate the rolls and weaken safeguards. Starting this summer, every New Mexican visiting the Motor Vehicle Division will be automatically registered to vote unless they actively opt out, further eroding the integrity of the process. She also advocated for voters who refuse to select a party affiliation, meddling in Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian Party primaries. 

As New Mexico stares down crucial upcoming elections, Toulouse Oliver’s podcast appearance was a reminder of what happens when radical Democrats are allowed to run elections unchecked: endless excuses, no accountability, and policies that put partisan gain above secure, fair elections. Voters should be more vigilant than ever.

With Toulouse Oliver’s track record of opposing voter ID, expanding ballot access without adequate safeguards, and cozying up to left-wing activist groups, New Mexicans have every reason to be alarmed—and to demand better.

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Chief Medina erupts in shouting match at ABQ City Hall as scandals explode

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Tensions boiled over Thursday night as Albuquerque City Councilor Louie Sanchez publicly clashed with Mayor Tim Keller’s Police Chief Harold Medina during a heated budget meeting, laying bare what many see as the deep dysfunction and scandal-ridden leadership of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).

The City Council, meeting as a Committee of the Whole to hash out the city’s budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, quickly descended into chaos when Medina appeared to defend APD’s latest $271.5 million funding request—a 5.2% increase over last year. The flashpoint came when Sanchez, a former police officer and current mayoral candidate, called out Medina’s casual appearance and lack of respect. “Nice of you to show up in a polo shirt today, chief,” Sanchez jabbed, adding, “Thanks for disrespecting us today.”

The exchange escalated when Sanchez pressed Medina on why the council was left in the dark about his request to bring in New Mexico National Guard troops to assist APD by handling lower-level duties, freeing up officers for other tasks. Medina, visibly rattled, fired back, branding Sanchez as “unprofessional” and defensively declaring, “I’m not going to sit here and let you abuse me,” while adding, “I hope the whole city of Albuquerque saw” Sanchez’s actions. Both men shouted over one another until the committee chair reluctantly restored order.

But the fireworks over budget figures and staffing levels are only the tip of the iceberg. The meeting spotlighted the much deeper rot under Medina’s leadership, which has left the department mired in scandal, corruption, and declining public trust.

Most damning is the federal investigation into a massive bribery scheme in which DWI cases were thrown out in exchange for cash—a scandal Medina’s department is directly implicated in. Dubbed the “DWI Enterprise,” the operation involved APD officers, deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police, who conspired with attorney Thomas Clear III and investigator Ricardo Mendez to get DWI charges dismissed for paying clients. This brazen scheme, ongoing since at least 2008, has triggered a wave of firings and resignations within APD, underscoring the pervasive corruption Medina has failed to root out.

Further, Medina’s leadership has been dogged by claims of nepotism and retaliatory practices within the APD academy. Seven instructors filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging they were punished for reporting that a cadet—coincidentally the son of a police commander—was reinstated after being dismissed for violating grooming standards and lying about it. The instructors were allegedly reassigned in retaliation, a move they say highlights Medina’s willingness to protect insiders at the expense of integrity and fairness.

Adding to the list of Medina’s misconduct is a February 2024 car crash where the chief ran a red light, colliding with another vehicle and seriously injuring its driver. In a blatant violation of department policy, Medina did not activate his body camera during the incident and later invoked his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. This reckless behavior raised further concerns about accountability at the highest levels of APD leadership.

Against this backdrop of scandal and mismanagement, Councilor Sanchez grilled Medina about bloated upper management and the continued lack of “boots on the ground.” Sanchez demanded answers: “How are you going to do something to change your over-bloated upper echelon in reference to putting boots on the ground?” Medina, predictably defensive, justified the department’s top-heavy structure by citing the U.S. Department of Justice consent decree requiring reforms. “Maybe in 2011, with those low numbers of executives, we had a lack of supervision over people. We had a lack of holding people accountable because we had spans of control that were too wide,” he argued—despite the current scandals suggesting otherwise.

Councilor Dan Champine also weighed in, scrutinizing the $6.5 million set aside for command staff salaries, further amplifying concerns that APD’s budget continues to prioritize bureaucracy over real policing.

Adding fuel to the fire, Councilor Dan Lewis exposed what he described as a $5.4 million backdoor cut to APD’s budget, criticizing the department for diverting funds meant for vacant officer positions. “We’re cutting your budget by $5.4 million, and it’s going to other things. That’s the explanation. That’s exactly what’s going on,” Lewis said bluntly.

While Medina claimed APD had around 900 officers by late 2024 and projected 1,000 by the end of 2025, the reality remains bleak. Medina admitted that even if the $5.4 million were restored for officer salaries, it would likely be funneled elsewhere—a telling sign of misplaced priorities.

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Sourisseau, attempting to downplay the controversy, insisted that overall APD funding would increase and claimed it’s routine not to fund positions that won’t be filled. But given the department’s track record under Medina, reassurances from city officials rang hollow.

Despite all of this, the council advanced the budget proposal, with a final vote expected on May 20.

With Medina’s tenure marred by corruption scandals, mishandled investigations, and ballooning bureaucracy, Thursday’s explosive meeting made one thing clear: APD’s leadership is under fire—and the pressure for real reform is only growing louder.

Watch: 

Chief Medina erupts in shouting match at ABQ City Hall as scandals explode Read More »

New records: MLG blew $96K on parties, perks while New Mexicans struggled

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has once again shown where her true priorities lie—blowing more than $96,000 of taxpayer money last year on extravagant personal perks and frivolous entertainment, all under the guise of “official obligations,” according to public records obtained by Target 7.

The spending spree—technically allowed under a sweeping state statute—has raised serious red flags among watchdog groups who warn that this type of unchecked spending is a blatant misuse of public funds. Instead of directing resources toward meaningful state needs, Lujan Grisham funneled money into fine dining, alcohol, and even badminton sets, highlighting a growing pattern of misplaced priorities in her administration.

Fine wine, posh parties, and party trinkets

Among the most galling expenditures: $6,400 blown on a Zozobra-themed bash, over $4,000 for a catered event at the ultra-upscale Sazón restaurant, and purchases at a high-end Santa Fe wine shop. That’s not to mention eyebrow-raising buys like Miller Lite, Tootsie Rolls, and party decorations—hardly essentials for running a state government. The governor’s office even used public money to pay Santa Fe’s 10-cent bag fee, a virtue-signaling tax Lujan Grisham herself championed as part of her so-called environmental initiatives.

Records also reveal badminton sets were bought with taxpayer funds—yet another trivial purchase that raises questions about the seriousness with which the governor treats public money.

Power the Future, a group critical of the governor’s energy policies, obtained the records via public request and found that some of these events weren’t even listed on Lujan Grisham’s public calendar. One pricey gathering—costing over $1,400—was held on a “personal day,” while another catered dinner for just five people ahead of Thanksgiving tallied more than $1,000.

The loophole that keeps on giving

Despite public outrage, legal analysts note that the spending skirts the edges of legality thanks to a conveniently vague law. In 2018, the legislature authorized the governor’s contingency fund for undefined “obligations of the governor’s office,” leaving the door wide open for abuse.

“It’s somewhat vague,” said KOAT legal analyst John Day. “It doesn’t say you can’t use these funds for X, Y, or Z. It just says the governor can use it to operate the office.”

This isn’t the first time a governor has drawn scrutiny over use of the fund. Former Gov. Susana Martinez famously used it for a pizza party that spiraled into scandal when guests were caught throwing bottles off a balcony. But while Lujan Grisham’s spending may appear more polished on the surface, critics warn that it’s no less concerning in terms of transparency and accountability.

A disappearing act for accountability

Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation underscored the deeper issue: the lack of robust oversight. “The governor and anybody who has this contingency fund could abuse that privilege,” Gessing noted. “And how you track that needs to be improved.”

Notably, while Martinez’s administration budgeted $70,000 for the fund, Lujan Grisham upped it to $96,000—and then conveniently shifted that line item out of sight. In 2022, the specific contingency fund line was absorbed into a murkier budget category labeled simply “Other,” allowing even less visibility into how taxpayer money is being spent.

According to her office, the fund remains intact but is now part of a general pot for various “operational expenses.” A spokesperson dismissed concerns, saying, “events at the mansion often occur spontaneously,” and that the governor is “almost always working in some fashion, regardless of whether her schedule indicates personal time.”

Optics matter—even if the dollar amount doesn’t

While the $96,000 blown by Lujan Grisham may seem like a drop in the bucket of New Mexico’s $10.8 billion budget, Gessing rightly points out that the symbolism matters. “It’s not a huge amount of money,” he said, “but it says a lot about the governor—whoever that governor is.”

In Lujan Grisham’s case, it says plenty: taxpayers are footing the bill for her lavish tastes and lack of financial restraint—while real issues in New Mexico remain neglected.

New records: MLG blew $96K on parties, perks while New Mexicans struggled Read More »

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