Michelle Lujan Grisham

MLG, Dems livid after U.S. House passes Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

24 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a triumphant moment for conservatives and the America First movement, President Donald J. Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) passed the U.S. House by a razor-thin vote of 215–214, triggering an all-out meltdown from New Mexico Democrats and their allies on the far left. Contrarian Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted with Democrats on the bill on concerns of reckless spending, despite in 2023 voting to let Joe Biden raise the debt ceiling. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) also joined Democrats and Massie in rejecting the bill that protects the Second Amendment and the country.

The historic legislation—a masterstroke of pro-growth policy, border security, and Second Amendment reinforcement—sent liberals into a frenzy. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and others unleashed emotional tirades over provisions prioritizing national sovereignty, economic opportunity, and constitutional freedoms. All of New Mexico’s U.S. House representatives rejected the monumental bill.

“The passage of this bill is a monumental win for American families, small businesses, gun owners, and patriots who believe in secure borders and free markets,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), who helped spearhead provisions to deregulate firearm suppressors. “This is a 2A victory and a direct hit on bloated bureaucracy.”

But while the rest of the country celebrates, New Mexico Democrats are in full panic mode.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham fumed, claiming the BBB “attacks Medicaid, jeopardizes food benefits for children, and undermines our progress on clean energy.” She failed to mention that the bill contains the largest middle-class tax cut in American history and reforms long-abused welfare programs to prioritize self-sufficiency and integrity. It does not, however, “attack” these programs.

Even more absurdly, Rep. Melanie Stansbury — red-faced and flustered during a press scrum — declared the bill’s funding of the border wall, Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, and national security enhancements as dangerous.

The hysterics weren’t limited to Capitol Hill. The New Mexico Democrat Party joined in, issuing a statement that the bill “will be deadly,” conveniently ignoring that their own party added $6 trillion in debt under Biden with nothing to show but inflation, energy dependence, and open borders.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez chimed in with her own apocalyptic claims, accusing Republicans of orchestrating “the largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the ultra-rich in American history.” Her screed overlooked the permanent expansion of the small business deduction, protections for family farms, and tax cuts for tipped workers like waitstaff and drivers — real benefits already lauded by groups like the Job Creators Network and Uber.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez also chimed in with the same tired and discredited talking points, much the same as Fernandez and Stansbury.

In contrast to the doomsday rhetoric from Democrats, industry leaders and advocacy groups celebrated the bill’s provisions:

The National Rifle Association praised the removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act, calling it a “monumental victory for Second Amendment rights.”

Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, and National Pork Producers Council highlighted reforms that support family farms and protect food supply chains.

Border Czar Tom Homan applauded new funding to expand ICE operations, enhance wall construction, and combat child and drug trafficking.

The American Petroleum Institute cheered restored American energy dominance and the rollback of Biden-era methane fees.

Claims that BBB will devastate Medicaid and SNAP are baseless fear-mongering. The bill implements eligibility reviews, anti-fraud measures, and streamlined assistance reforms backed by most Americans. Even the alleged $500 billion in Medicare “cuts” are nothing more than trimming waste and fraud, not touching a dime of guaranteed benefits.

And yes — the bill includes funding for the Golden Dome, a groundbreaking anti-missile defense shield to protect against threats like China, Russia, and rogue nations.

At the end of the day, the BBB is about America First. It’s about freedom, prosperity, and security. That’s why the radical left is screaming. They’ve lost control — and the people are taking their country back.

Now, the bill heads to the U.S. Senate. Americans across the nation are urging their senators to finish the job. Let the Democrats wail — the future belongs to those who build it, not those who tear it down.

MLG, Dems livid after U.S. House passes Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Read More »

Governor who calls opponents ‘lizard people’ now trying to pose as unity leader

32 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico will be featured alongside Utah Governor Spencer Cox in the next installment of the “Common Ground Forum,” a series organized by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute to promote civil dialogue and bipartisan cooperation. The event, scheduled for Tuesday and moderated by Steve Hayes of The Dispatch, aims to highlight strategies for bridging political divides and fostering civility in governance, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

According to a news release, the forum will explore “how bipartisan collaboration, mutual respect and the ability to navigate healthy conflict can strengthen American democracy.” The event touts Lujan Grisham and Cox as two leaders from “opposite sides of the aisle” who have allegedly found ways to work across political divides.

But the governor’s inclusion in such a forum has raised eyebrows, particularly given her repeated use of inflammatory language that has alienated both conservatives and members of her own party.

During a 2021 campaign event, Lujan Grisham mocked protesters critical of her policies—many of whom were supporters of President Donald Trump—by derisively calling them “QAnon lizard people.” She said, “I’m sorry that we picked the same location that the QAnon lizard people meeting was at,” a remark widely seen as ridiculing and dehumanizing constituents who disagreed with her pandemic mandates and political agenda.

Lujan Grisham has also dismissed criticisms from Republican lawmakers and conservative groups by labeling their concerns as “anti-science,” “dangerous,” or “extremist,” particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In multiple interviews and press conferences, she painted political dissent as a threat to public safety, once saying opponents of her lockdown policies were “risking lives to make political points.”

Her language hasn’t been reserved solely for Republicans. In 2023, members of her own Democratic Party expressed frustration over her strong-armed approach to policy negotiations, with some describing her governing style as “combative” and “unilateral.” Tensions flared when she vetoed parts of legislation favored by progressive Democrats.

Adding to the irony of her participation in a civility-focused event, the governor triggered a national controversy in 2023 when she issued a temporary executive order suspending the right to carry firearms in public in Albuquerque, citing a public health emergency. The move was denounced across the political spectrum—including by members of her own party—as an unconstitutional overreach, prompting lawsuits and protests.

After the most recent legislative session, Lujan Grisham vetoed the most benign bills that passed both the state House and Senate unanimously to spite Democrats who did not fully carry out her agenda in the 60-day timeframe.

Just in the past few weeks, Lujan Grisham has taken to the airwaves to inflame and distort regarding issues surrounding Medicaid and illegal immigration, spreading blatant falsehoods about what congressional budget proposals will do and the state of the country’s border, which is now secure under President Trump, no thanks to her. 

While Utah Governor Spencer Cox will also speak at the event, his record, though often described as moderate (not very conservative at all despite his conservative state), has included the veto of a transgender sports bill, followed by later support for legislation limiting access to gender-specific spaces. However, criticism focuses on Lujan Grisham’s incongruous role in an event dedicated to civil discourse.

The governor’s idea of modeling “principled governance” and “bipartisan collaboration” may sound noble, but to many New Mexicans who have been the recipients of her incendiary rhetoric, it rings hollow.

Governor who calls opponents ‘lizard people’ now trying to pose as unity leader Read More »

Wokera: NM taxpayers being forced to fund ‘queer,’ Israel-hating veggie farm

32 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico’s Economic Development Department (EDD) has awarded $25,000 in taxpayer funding to an Albuquerque-based farming operation, Ashokra Farm, under the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) program. But what at first glance appeared to be a minor example of questionable spending has become a window into the state’s support for increasingly radical and political causes.

According to a press release from EDD, Ashokra Farm was given the grant “to support agricultural and community-based initiatives,” and was praised for being a “culturally significant okra farm.” 

That descriptor alone raised eyebrows at the Rio Grande Foundation (RGF), a non-partisan research institute focused on limited government in New Mexico. “We thought it was a funny story involving a (relatively) small amount of wasteful spending,” RGF noted in a commentary, “until we were alerted to the Farm’s Facebook page.”

The farm, according to its own promotional materials and a profile in The Guardian, identifies as a “queer and people of color farm.” Its mission includes protecting people from “homophobia, transphobia, racism, and sexism.” While the rhetoric might appeal to progressive circles, critics argue that such identity-based messaging has little to do with economic development or agriculture, and even less with responsible use of public funds.

But the concerns go deeper than identity politics. On Ashokra Farm’s Facebook page, the farm posted a call to “boycott these companies in support of a FREE PALESTINE AND END TO THE GENOCIDE that is currently being funded by Israel and the United States.” The post goes on to name several agricultural firms with ties to Israel, calling for a boycott of companies allegedly connected to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

In the current global context, where violent anti-Israel protests and campus takeovers have been dominating headlines, the farm’s stance reads not merely as political but explicitly partisan and inflammatory. 

The taxpayer-funded grant has thus become a flashpoint. “If you are concerned about your tax dollars going to radical causes like this,” RGF urged in its Errors of Enchantment post, “I’d recommend sharing this story with your local newspaper or TV station.”

The issue raises broader questions about how EDD evaluates grantees and whether ideological agendas are being subsidized by public money. The department is led by Secretary Rob Black, who can be contacted by concerned citizens at rob.black@edd.nm.gov.

This incident follows mounting criticism of the Lujan Grisham administration’s selective funding of politically aligned organizations under the guise of economic development. The grant to Ashokra Farm highlights what some see as a growing trend of activist causes being quietly bankrolled by taxpayers.

As New Mexico approaches the 2026 gubernatorial election, voters may increasingly demand greater accountability over how economic development dollars are allocated—and whether they’re being used to support agriculture or activism.

Wokera: NM taxpayers being forced to fund ‘queer,’ Israel-hating veggie farm Read More »

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

29 Comments / 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.

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

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 »

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 »

Despite MLG’s pro-abortion campaign, NM sees decrease in abortions

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

While abortion rates across the United States continue to rise, New Mexico has seen a noteworthy decline — a trend that many pro-life advocates view as a hopeful sign of cultural and spiritual change. A recent report by the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that supports abortion up-to-birth, confirms that the number of abortions in New Mexico fell by 11% in 2024, dropping from nearly 21,000 to approximately 18,600. This decline breaks from the national trajectory, where the overall number of abortions grew by about 1% last year, reaching an estimated 1.04 million.

This decrease in abortions in New Mexico is especially significant considering the state’s surge in procedures following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. In the months after the ruling, New Mexico’s abortion rate skyrocketed by more than 78%, making it one of the top destinations for women from nearby states like Texas, where strong pro-life protections were enacted. In fact, in 2023, Texans accounted for 68% of all abortions in New Mexico, representing nearly 14,000 of the procedures performed.

However, despite aggressive promotion from pro-abortion politicians and the use of taxpayer dollars to lure abortionists to relocate to New Mexico, the tide appears to be shifting. In 2024, the number of out-of-state patients declined slightly as well, from 70% of all abortions in 2023 to 69% last year. While the percentage change may seem small, the total number of abortions dropped by more than 2,000 overall.

This downward trend signals that fewer women are making the tragic choice of abortion, even in a state where abortion remains legal up to the date of birth. That change may be due in part to increased education, public awareness campaigns, and spiritual outreach. Organizations like Abortion Free New Mexico have actively sought to reach women through billboard campaigns along major highways from Texas, offering messages of love and encouragement to mothers in crisis. One reads simply, “Mommy. Be brave and turn around. I love you.”

Tara Shaver, spokesperson for the group, emphasized the importance of standing up for the unborn: “We believe that women in Texas are protected by their state’s laws, and they should not be able to circumvent those laws by coming to New Mexico.” Despite opposition from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has funneled millions in public money to build abortion facilities and recruit out-of-state abortionists, many New Mexicans continue to stand up for life. According to polling, most New Mexicans are pro-life.

The governor’s “Free to Provide” campaign, which used $400,000 in taxpayer funds to draw abortion providers from other states, along with her push for $10 million to build a new clinic in Northern New Mexico, underscores how invested the state’s leadership is in promoting abortion. But the declining numbers suggest that New Mexico’s residents — and perhaps even those coming from out of state — are beginning to make different choices.

MLG’s abortion hotline referring women to ‘The Satanic Temple’ abortion facility

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Last in education, first in excuses: NM loses millions after failing to spend funds

35 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Trump administration has taken a bold step to ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility in the handling of pandemic-era education relief funds—ending a previously granted extension for New Mexico to spend the remaining $12.3 million in federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. In a March 28 letter, Linda McMahon of the U.S. Department of Education notified state education leaders that the liquidation period for these funds was being cut off effective immediately.

The decision came as a wake-up call to New Mexico’s education bureaucracy, which had failed to efficiently utilize its allotted federal aid. Despite being granted nearly $980 million in total relief through ESSER during the pandemic, New Mexico still had millions left unspent, with state officials citing supply chain issues and inadequate staffing. But McMahon’s letter made it clear: “By failing to meet the clear deadline in the regulation, you ran the risk that the [U.S. Department of Education] would deny your extension request.”

In other words, New Mexico had ample time to deploy these resources—yet, as with many government initiatives in the state, the follow-through was lacking.

Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, a Democrat and former educator, reacted angrily, calling the decision a “reckless and abrupt termination” that would impact students across the state. He claimed it would disrupt after-school programs, HVAC upgrades, and even outdoor classroom projects—yet failed to address why these projects weren’t completed in the years prior.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined the chorus of complaints, calling the decision “unacceptable and reckless,” and announced that New Mexico was joining over a dozen other Democrat-run states in suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit alleges that the reversal would strip schools of “essential resources like food, classroom supplies, [and] special education for teachers.”

But what’s truly “unacceptable,” critics argue, is that Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico’s Public Education Department—despite being granted an extension through March 2026—still hadn’t managed to allocate the full amount efficiently. This is in a state that ranks dead last in education outcomes nationally, falling behind every other state and even the District of Columbia. According to longstanding rankings, New Mexico continues to struggle with low test scores, high dropout rates, and chronic absenteeism.

While the state now scrambles for another extension, the Department of Education has signaled that the era of open-ended pandemic spending is over. McMahon made it clear in her letter that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities.”

The state had intended to funnel the remaining millions toward tutoring, after-school activities, and infrastructure upgrades in school districts, including Bloomfield, Deming, and Moriarty-Edgewood. However, the funds sat largely untouched despite the pressing academic needs brought on by the pandemic—another example, critics say, of bureaucratic mismanagement in a chronically underperforming education system.

Public Education Department spokesperson Janelle Taylor García confirmed the agency plans to apply for yet another extension. But with the Department of Education signaling that prior approvals are not guaranteed and “may be reconsidered,” the clock may have finally run out.

Despite the blow, Morales insists, “I’m not going to give up. I will continue to fight for our students and our educators who need these after-school, summer learning and tutoring programs.” Still, observers note that a true fight for students might start with taking responsibility for why the state fell behind in deploying resources in the first place—especially when the Trump administration is demanding that taxpayer dollars be used wisely and efficiently.

Last in education, first in excuses: NM loses millions after failing to spend funds Read More »

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

35 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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.

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

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

27 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

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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