2 Republicans Want To Impeach New Mexico Governor

(USNewsBreak.com) – Politicians have thrown around the term impeachment quite often these days. In Congress, Republicans are trying to impeach President Joe Biden and also Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In state politics, two New Mexico Republicans are attempting to impeach the Democratic state governor.

On Wednesday, January 17, Republican state Reps. Stefani Lord and John Block filed a resolution to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), claiming she has “too much power.” The complaint stemmed from Grisham enacting gun control measures using her emergency powers last year following the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy outside of a baseball stadium. The emergency order suspended New Mexicans’ right to carry firearms in specific public places, such as playgrounds and parks in the greater Albuquerque region. The move is already facing legal challenges.

Speaking to CBS News, Lord said that constituents’ rights “are not up for debate” and that despite Lujan Grisham’s efforts “to violate the constitution, she will never succeed.” Block commented that the governor was simply trying “to make a political statement.” The pair might have a tough time getting the resolution to deliberations because Democrats far outnumber Republicans in the state House, 45 to 25.

CBS News reported that spokesperson for Grisham’s office, Maddy Hayden, called the resolution an “inane effort” by two Republicans more interested in pulling political stunts rather than serving their people.

Despite the ongoing legal challenge, Grisham gave her second State of the State address on January 16, where she outlined even more restrictions she wants to place on gun owners. For example, she is calling for a safety package raising the legal purchase age to 21 for all guns, implementing a 14-day waiting period, banning assault weapons, banning firearms from playgrounds and parks, and increasing penalties for convicted felons found in possession of a firearm. Additionally, she wants to expand police powers to allow officers to file Extreme Risk Protection Orders.