Despite governor’s mask mandate, Haaland has indoor maskless wedding with VIP guests

On Saturday, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland got married to her longtime partner Skip Sayre in an indoor, mostly maskless ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya at Santa Ana Pueblo north of Bernalillo — despite New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s strict mask mandates for masks to be worn indoors at all times.

Photographs and videos posted by multiple attendees show Haaland and Sayre without masks indoors. Attendees including Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) show them indoors without masks as well. 

Per the Governor’s August 17 order, “the re-implemented mask requirement applies to all individuals aged 2 and older in all indoor public settings — except when eating or drinking.” 

According to the staff at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, indoor masking is required. “Outdoors, you’re free to take it off and, like, when you’re eating at the restaurants, you’re free to take it off. But we do require them indoors.” Haaland’s wedding broke not only the state’s mask mandate but also the resort’s mask rules. Many guests were also spotted without masks on.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior press secretary Tyler Cherry told Native News Online, “Secretary Deb Haaland celebrated her union with longtime partner Skip Sayre at a ceremony in her home state of New Mexico on Saturday night. Consistent with CDC guidance and New Mexico’s public health orders, guests were required to be vaccinated and wear masks. The Secretary’s dress was designed and sewn by her sister and the ceremony included traditional elements to honor her ancestry.”

In early August, Haaland said during an official Department of the Interior video, “It was hard for me having to put a mask back on again even though I’m vaccinated to protect those who haven’t been and I understand if you’re feeling a bit deflated too.” 

“Though many people are vaccinated, our country still faces increased rates of COVID-19 infections and more aggressive variants. To help fight this devastating disease, we are following CDC guidance and putting our masks back on. Each state and community faces different threats. So, if you’re in an area with substantial to high COVID transmission rates,  everyone: employees contractors, and visitors, must all wear a mask in all federal buildings no matter your vaccination status.” 

Now, it appears Haaland has not taken the virus seriously, as she claimed in her own guidance to mask up indoors. She, as a representative of the Joe Biden administration and as a U.S. Senate-confirmed cabinet member, is lowering the public’s confidence in the administration’s guidelines.

It is unclear at the current time if Gov. Lujan Grisham, Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez or Melanie Stansbury were in attendance. Haaland follows after Gov. Lujan Grisham, who has repeatedly skirted her pandemic orders also.

See the videos and pictures of the maskless event below:

This is an exclusive report first reported by the Piñon Post.