The New Mexico governor is facing calls for her impeachment after signing an emergency public health order over the weekend – an order temporarily overriding laws allowing citizens to go open in the state’s largest city and secretly carrying weapons.
Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, 63, issued the executive order Friday, which applies throughout Albuquerque, and went into effect immediately because it was classified as a “public health emergency.”
This is in response to a recent spate of shootings involving children in the state’s most populous city, which has become even more notorious for gun violence in recent years.
Since then, critics have described the suspension, which was intended to last at least 30 days, as “exceeding state powers” – and simply as unconstitutional.
Experts pointed to the Second Amendment and claimed it was unlawfully suspended, while figures like Greg Baca, the state’s top Republican, accused Grisham of “prosecuting law-abiding citizens with an unconstitutional gun warrant.”
Scroll down for the video:
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (seen center Santa Fe on Friday) is facing calls for her impeachment after signing an emergency public health executive order over the weekend – an executive order temporarily overriding laws allowing citizens to openly and covertly carry guns in the state’s largest city
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, 36, led the chorus of outrage – responding to a clip Friday of the George Soros-backed governor insisting to a reporter that her temporary ban was indeed constitutional and claiming it violated both against both the Second and First Amendments
The governor of New Mexico just declared that the 1st and 2nd amendments “do not exist” due to an “emergency”.
According to this legal theory, *all* of our “rights” are essentially eliminated.
Check out the most evil and tyrannical 60 seconds you’ve ever heard from a politician: pic.twitter.com/xLpMSTbyi2
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 9, 2023
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, 36, led the chorus of outrage – responding to a clip Friday of the George Soros-backed governor insisting to a reporter that her temporary ban was indeed constitutional.
“The governor of New Mexico has just declared that due to a ‘state of emergency’ the 1st and 2nd amendments ‘do not exist,'” Johnson wrote of the now-viral clip, which was filmed at a press conference in Santa Fe, where Grisham Enforcement was flanked by local legislators.
“According to this legal theory, *all* of our ‘rights’ are essentially abolished,” Johnson continued, falsely emphasizing that this move violated not only citizens’ right to bear arms, but also the First Amendment.
The YouTuber provided a somewhat sizzling introduction to the hugely controversial, now viral clip, telling his more than 1.8million followers: “Watch the most evil and tyrannical 60 seconds you’ve ever heard from a politician.”
The Conservative provided no basis for his claim that Grisham’s order violates the First Amendment — a famous law that prevents the federal government from passing laws censoring a person’s religion, expression or association.
Also protected are freedom of the press and the right to petition the government for redress for grievances – although Johnson’s claim was likely referring to the latter.
The clip, which lasts less than two minutes, has been viewed more than 11 million times and begins with Grisham being asked by a reporter if her temporary ban is unconstitutional.
The clip begins with Grisham — whose 2019 gubernatorial bid was endorsed by George Soros — being asked by a reporter whether her temporary ban was unconstitutional
“You took an oath on the constitution,” the reporter can be heard asking in the clip from the state capital. “Isn’t it unconstitutional to say you can’t exercise your carry license?”
At this point, Grisham — a former lawyer who won her governorship in 2019 — appears to acknowledge that the press representative would normally be right under normal circumstances, but quickly responds, “With one exception.”
“And that means,” she continues, “if there is an emergency and I have declared an emergency for a temporary period of time, I can invoke additional powers.”
“In my view no constitutional right, including my oath, is absolute.
“There are restrictions on free speech.” There are restrictions on my freedoms.’
The statement, which appears to disregard America’s oldest and most important law, was issued in response to a series of gun violence cases, most recently on Wednesday in which an 11-year-old boy was killed and a woman was injured when she was shot by a small Went home for a baseball game.
On social media, several – including X CEO Elon Musk – expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, claiming it violated the Second Amendment
The emergency order came after the tragic shooting death of an 11-year-old boy outside a minor league baseball stadium (pictured) near Albuquerque
Grisham said of the incident, which occurred just outside the notoriously violent city of Albuquerque: “In this emergency, this 11-year-old and all these parents who lost all these children deserve my attention to have the debate about whether or not. “In an emergency, we can create a safer environment.
“Because what about their constitutional rights? I swore an oath to uphold this.
“And if we ignore this growing problem without being bold, I have said to every other New Mexican, your rights are an infringement on their rights. And in my opinion they are not.”
Following this claim, the reporter who originally aired the investigation expressed confusion, particularly at the suggestion that the rights of shooting victims were being neglected simply because illegal shootings were taking place.
He asked, “Wait a minute, you’re talking about the crimes, there are already laws against the crimes.” How are their rights conferred?
To which Grisham responded, “But again, if I’m unsure, who’s going to advocate for it, right?” If this climate is getting so out of control, someone should do something. I do as much as I know.’
Another reporter spoke up and asked an interesting question that seemed to poke even more holes in the politician’s logic.
“Madam Governor, do you really believe that criminals will hear this message and not carry a gun on the streets in Albuquerque for thirty days?”
In response, Gov. Grisham simply said, “Uh, no,” before acknowledging that not everyone, particularly law enforcement officials in her home state, agreed with her decision.
State Senator Greg Baca said in his own statement: “Tragically, this is what we expect from a government that refuses to take responsibility for the crime epidemic sweeping our state… A child is murdered, the perpetrator is still in the house Office.” the lots, and what does the governor do? “She… targets law-abiding citizens with an unconstitutional gun warrant,”
New Mexico Governor Michelle Grisham speaks at the Arcosa Wind Towers in Belen, New Mexico on August 9, 2023. She was a former lawyer and was elected in 2019 after receiving the endorsement of George Soros
“I welcome the debate and fight about how to make New Mexicans safer,” she said at Friday’s news conference.
Almost immediately, the recommendation sparked a storm of backlash — figures like Elon Musk, 53, and state Sen. Baca, also 52, gathered to attend.
Responding to a news post about the new order on X, formerly Twitter, the Tesla boss wrote: “At the risk of saying what should be obvious, a deliberate violation of the Constitution is highly illegal.” this person be removed from office?
State Senator Baca said in his own statement: “Tragically, this is what we expect from an administration that refuses to take responsibility for the crime epidemic sweeping our state.”
“A child is murdered, the perpetrator is still at large, and what is the governor doing?” She… targets law-abiding citizens with an unconstitutional gun warrant?
“It’s time for the governor to stop pointing fingers and admit that her soft-on-crime approach has failed and has put the safety of all New Mexicans at grave risk.”
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, meanwhile, vowed not to enforce such a policy, while his counterpart in Bernalillo County, Sheriff John Allen, said he had concerns but would be reluctant to cooperate.
“While I understand and recognize the urgency, the temporary ban challenges the very foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold,” Allen said.
“I am cautious about placing my deputies in positions that could give rise to civil liability conflicts and the potential risks of denying law-abiding citizens their constitutional right to self-defense,” the sheriff added.
The suspension applies to open and concealed carry from city sidewalks to city amusement parks. The restriction is tied to a violent crime threshold that is currently only met in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
Violators could face a fine of up to $5,000 and civil penalties, said governor’s spokeswoman Caroline Sweeney. Under the order, residents can still transport guns to some private locations, such as a shooting range or gun store.