New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez, an Albuquerque Democrat, is drawing attention for an emotional social media video in which he accused ICE personnel of murdering a Mexican national in Houston and vowed to use his power as speaker to “protect our people.”
The remarks came after the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican national, during an ICE vehicle stop in Houston. Federal officials have said Salgado Araujo failed to comply with commands, allegedly rammed an ICE vehicle, and tried to run over an officer before an ICE agent fired in self-defense. Other reporting has noted that witnesses and family members dispute the federal account, and DHS has said Salgado Araujo was not the original target of the operation but “resembled the target.”
But Martínez did not wait for the investigation to conclude before declaring what happened.
“Lorenzo Salgado was murdered in cold blood by so-called ICE personnel in Houston,” Martínez said in the video.
The statement marks a dramatic intervention from the most powerful Democrat in the New Mexico House, especially because the shooting happened in Texas and remains under investigation.
Martínez described Salgado Araujo as “a hardworking man” and “a blue-collar guy,” saying he represented “the best of this country.”
“The type of person who has rebuilt this country over and over again,” Martínez said.
He then suggested Salgado Araujo’s alleged failure to stop may have been understandable because, according to Martínez, an unmarked vehicle attempted to pull him over.
“An unmarked vehicle attempted to pull him over,” Martínez said. “Because who would?”
Martínez also referenced comments from a friend of Salgado Araujo who reportedly mourned him at a makeshift memorial.
“His friend cried at his makeshift altar and, you know, said, like, ‘You know, they chase us down like dogs,’” Martínez said.
The speaker then turned the Houston shooting into a broader attack on President Donald Trump and immigration enforcement.
“Trump and his lackeys do have this just hate for our people,” Martínez said. “It is tragic. It is enraging that this is happening, that it’s been happening, that it continues to happen.”
Martínez also personalized the incident, saying Salgado Araujo reminded him of his father.
“That could be my dad,” Martínez said. “My dad was just like Lorenzo. Dude would be out the door at 5:00 every single morning… to build houses. To build houses and buildings, and to fix buildings, properties, to make other people rich.”
From there, Martínez shifted his focus to New Mexico business groups, contractors, builders, and architectural firms, accusing them of silence while immigrant laborers are targeted.
“You know, these so-called job creators that run around all Albuquerque… your people build,” Martínez said. “The laborers build.”
He added, “Have not heard a peep from the Builders Association. Have not heard a peep from any of the big companies in town, architectural firms in town. Not a peep about what’s happening.”
Martínez also said the workforce used by those businesses is being “targeted,” despite DHS saying Salgado Araujo was not the original target of the Houston operation.
“And yet, it’s their workforce targeted. Targeted. And in this case, Lorenzo targeted,” Martínez said.
He then closed with a direct attack on Trump.
“Shame on Trump. Shame on Trump and shame on his lackeys,” Martínez said.
The speaker also invoked his own position in New Mexico government.
“You’ve got yourself an immigrant Speaker of the House in the state of New Mexico, one of 50 in the entire country,” Martínez said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to protect our people and to show that a different United States of America is possible,” however, it is unclear what he means by “our people” — illegal immigrants or New Mexicans.
The comments are likely to fuel further debate over how New Mexico Democrats talk about immigration enforcement and federal law enforcement officers — as they have been working to attack them by passing laws to make their jobs harder and put their safety in the crosshairs.
While Salgado Araujo’s family and community activists have called for answers, Martínez went much further than calling for transparency or an independent investigation. He labeled the shooting a “murder,” referred to ICE agents as “so-called ICE personnel,” accused Trump of hatred toward “our people,” and used the case to criticize New Mexico businesses.
The Houston incident remains under investigation, and federal officials, witnesses, and family members have offered sharply different accounts of what happened.
Even so, Martínez’s video shows how quickly a disputed law enforcement shooting outside New Mexico has become a political flashpoint inside the state — with the House speaker putting himself at the center of the fight.
Damn! Martinez is one militant Chicano.
Martinez has been hanging out with Congressman Gabe Vasquez too long.
I feel sorry for any ICE agents who get anywhere near Martinez; does Martinez not know that. many ICE agents are Hispanic.
the investigation has hardly begun but Javier Martinez has rendered his verdict. this jack ass is a lawyer and should know better than that. if people came into this country legally these problems wouldnt be happening. Javier, -tell us what the immigration laws are in old Mexico – you know damn well they dont allow the nonsense open border along with all the freebies that goes on in the USA. but its about your “people” as you say. excuse me, its New Mexicans that are your people, and they come in a variety of skin colors. just another race hustler UNM law grad.
Javier Martinez would need to recuse himself on any jury because he cannot put his bias aside.
Javier, NM was just named the number ONE WORST STATE to move to. why dont you focus on fixing this state ? because you dont have a damn clue how to do so ! you are a failure and a legend in your own mind. what an absolutely pathetic blow hard.
Totally agree, but until the folks on the NM tit realize they are not free to succeed NM will be the 1st to third state in every measurement.
Yet he is silent on all the victims of illegals.
The lack of critical thinking skills about this post is abundantly evident.
First, I have no use for Javier Martinez, or the Democrat party in general. He, and they, preside over the neverending debasement and decline of our fine state.
Now, having said that, I’ll make a remark that likely will produce condemnation and scorn. So be it. Let’s start with the salient quote:
“But Martínez did not wait for the investigation to conclude before declaring what happened. “Lorenzo Salgado was murdered in cold blood by so-called ICE personnel in Houston,” Martínez said … ”
This is where critical thinking skills are important. His reaction is NO different than what the administration does in every one of these shooting incidents.
Without waiting for an investigation or facts folks at various levels in the administration immediately come out with narratives that later are changed, refuted by video/photo evidence, etc. In short, they are untrustworthy, contribute to the erosion of confidence and impartiality of the justice system.
So, everyone is free to condemn his remarks, but if they also do not give the same attention and condemnation to what the administration does then the outrage is disingenuous and misplaced.
Partisan much? Accepting false narratives much? Indeed, by everyone on both sides.
We’d all be better served by adhering to Sgt. Joe Friday of Dragnet when he said: “Just the facts”. Facts, not the bullsh*t everyone immediately goes to, colored by their particular political alignments.
Charles, while I agree with most of what you said these morons up in Santa Fe do not IMHO care about this incident they are pandering for votes nothing less. They’re IMHO mouthpieces for the American, TRUMP hating lefties. They care more about the criminals and the illegal aliens for one damn reason.. .their future voting base period.
Break the law, pay the price…. even in random stops.
Your “critical thinking skills” are lacking.
We do not live in a “rules based” society.
We live in a Constitutional Republic where “law” and “lawful” actions are incumbent upon anyone who visits, is born in, or who enters the USA “illegally” — That is all left out of your mush-brain “critical thinking” lecture.
You and your kind are no different from Javier the Resident Communist, and do nothing for humanity except put a massive “target” on the back of New Mexicans. Believe this, New Mexico and New Mexicans will heal and bow to the law… That’s not “political BS” — that’s law — the only fact that matters. You don’t like it, then change it. Until then, continue to FAFO.
Looks like he found a way to get votes and line his pockets.
The sad thing about the politicians here im NM they have no brains or common sense. They cant even do there jobs to protect NM . Sence they are morons they have to blame ICE AND TRUMP for doing there jobs as murders. Look at gabe ,Michelle, keller and this idiot in this post we have open borders drugs coming in people DIEING FROM OVER DOSES BEING MURDERED YOUNG GIRLS BEING RAPED. O BUT ITS ICE AND TRUMPS FAULT. COME ON WE NEED THEM ALL GONE AND NEW PEOPLE WITH BRAINES TO GOVERN NM.
Javier has always been about Javier…this is a perfect example seeking attention before the facts are in.
Biden opened the boarders…now we have the Javier’s of the world trying to justify the illegal being legal.
Could it be that Javier has other ulterior motives for this video ???
Break the law, pay the price…. even in random stops.
Your “critical thinking skills” are lacking.
We do not live in a “rules based” society.
We live in a Constitutional Republic where “law” and “lawful” actions are incumbent upon anyone who visits, is born in, or who enters the USA “illegally” — That is all left out of your mush-brain “critical thinking” lecture.
You and your kind are no different from Javier the Resident Communist, and do nothing for humanity except put a massive “target” on the back of New Mexicans. Believe this, New Mexico and New Mexicans will heal and bow to the law… That’s not “political BS” — that’s law — the only fact that matters. You don’t like it, then change it. Until then, continue to FAFO.
Speaker Martinez, your constituents are the citizens of New Mexico, not illegal aliens
This clown is a Democratic Socialist. He’s a cross between Emerge and a Chicano version of “Reverend” Al Sharpton. Never did he mention that this was no US citizen but an illegal alien. Now, I’m sorry the guy died but don’t tell me even illegals know better than to play bumper cars with a cop or try to run them over!
Speaker Martinez needs to chill; som ICE would help.😊
Javi-puppet-boy states “he will use his power to protect our people.” Bad mouthing law enforcement to protect ILLEGALS isn’t Protecting OUR people. NM citizens deserve better of you! The TDS runs rampant in NM politics and it shows!
suck dick, n****r-sphincter OTH
NEWSFLASH- There is a 70% chance that the wise people that vote for democrats like this emotional nut job are going to vote for Deborah Halaan . She will make Lujan Grisham look like Trump! I hope and pray Greg Hull wins otherwise we are screwed.
If his people are anti American, he probably supports the new mosque in north abq. Their jihad training room is world class and courses in coercing 11 year old girls is top flight…its cultural equivilance at its best !
shitholers think cop-stabbing is in their bill of rights