New Mexico Republicans Start Effort to Impeach Governor

Last edited Tue Jan 23, 2024, 04:30 PM - Edit history (1)

By Tom Knighton | 6:29 PM on January 18, 2024

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham kicked over the proverbial hornet’s nest when she decided to unilaterally declare all carrying of firearms in Albuquerque illegal. She claimed she was exercising public health emergency powers and could do just that, but it soon became clear that no, in fact, she couldn’t.
What’s more, Lujan Grisham has continued to double down by continuing her emergency order multiple times. While it no longer includes the blanket prohibition on lawful carry in general, it still creates restrictions that, frankly, she has no business declaring.

Last year, at least some in New Mexico were talking impeachment. It was easy to talk that kind of talk when everything was nice and fresh, but this is 2024. It’s a new year, now several months divorced from the harsh reality of Lujan Grisham’s proclamation. Sure, people have forgotten, right? Not so much, it seems.

Two Republican legislators filed a resolution Wednesday aimed at initiating impeachment proceedings against Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her emergency public health orders suspending the right to carry firearms in some public places in greater Albuquerque, such as parks and playgrounds.

The resolution from Reps. Stefani Lord of Sandia Park and John Block of Alamogordo accuses the governor of violating her oath of office to uphold the state and federal constitutions.

“The point is that she has too much power,” said Lord, founder of the advocacy group Pro-Gun Women. “We’re just trying to say to her, ‘You have too much power, you’re acting like a dictator. … And we’re going to impeach you.’”