New Mexico lawmaker speaks on Trump's inauguration, expected executive orders
Jan 20, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It was an unorthodox Presidential Inauguration Monday. It's the second time in history a president has been sworn into office for a non-consecutive term. With his return to the Oval Office, President Donald Trump's administration vowed to hit the ground running- with a laundry list of executive orders.
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"As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do," President Trump said. "We will do it at a level nobody has ever seen before."
Trump said border security will be a top focus, planning to declare it a national emergency. One of those orders expected to be signed by Trump, would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. On top of his plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in his first few months, Trump vows to end birthright citizenship.
However, New Mexico lawmakers say they're ready to put up a fight. "This is about really targeting who are of undocumented status, asylees, and people of mixed-status to carry out an anti-immigrant agenda, and we will fight back against that," said New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury.
The administration also wants to end the catch-and-release policy, reinstate "Remain in Mexico", as well as send federal troops to border states. The slew of Trump's executive orders could face legal challenges. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is also responding- saying his office will not hesitate to resist any enforcement that violates the constitution.