When Donald Trump was elected to his second term, it was a foregone conclusion that he would attempt to make radical changes to our federal government. But we didn\u2019t know what he would do first or how it would affect us, nationally and personally.<\/p>\n
It also was predictable that his proposed changes would encounter massive opposition from many sides, ranging from Democrats in Congress to state governments and numerous advocacy organizations. Many of these efforts, we could anticipate, would go through the courts, some with frustrating slowness. Meanwhile, millions of Americans\u2019 lives would be thrown into instability.<\/p>\n
Trump, as expected, was ready on Day One, and the opposition \u2013 including some from our leaders in New Mexico — was not more than a day or two behind.<\/p>\n
New Mexico Attorney General Ra\u00fal Torrez spearheaded one of many early lawsuits filed by Democratic state attorneys general acting in coordination \u2013 reportedly 70 lawsuits so far. The Torrez-led suit challenged the unlawful delegation of executive power to Elon Musk. It lost its first round, but another lawsuit, filed last week in California, has succeeded in getting many of the firings declared illegal. This week Torrez will be in Phoenix with colleagues, holding the first of a national series of townhalls to document and publicize the effect of Musk funding freezes.<\/p>\n
New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan spoke out against a proposed layoff of hundreds of workers of the Indian Health Service, including professional medical staff, noting that these workers provide vital health care service to tribal members. The terminations were reversed almost immediately.<\/p>\n
Senator Martin Heinrich, New Mexico\u2019s leading advocate for public lands, is speaking out on the personnel cuts in those areas. Cuts to the Forest Service and other agencies that serve public lands are especially alarming, because of the obvious threat of forest fires. One recent report says full-time firefighters have been retained but others who are also essential to the firefighting mission have not.<\/p>\n
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury has introduced the Nobody Elected Elon Musk Act, <\/strong>which would hold Musk accountable for illegal actions he takes. It is not likely to pass in the Republican-majority House. During the recent congressional recess, she gave several public appearances in Albuquerque, expressing fierce opposition to federal job cuts. She has asked federal employees who are fired to contact her office and share their stories.<\/p>\n Still, forceful words by themselves won\u2019t stop the changes.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t know which of Trump\u2019s initiatives will stick and which will be reversed. We don\u2019t know which lawsuits will be successful, where popular demand will make the difference, and which \u2013 if any — Republican members of Congress will start to push back openly when their districts are threatened.<\/p>\n And we don\u2019t know what he\u2019s going to do next.<\/p>\n In this state of confusion, Americans are living in limbo. Much of the next four years will be spent reacting to radical proposals by this president. For many of us, it is going to be terribly uncomfortable. It may affect us personally in ways we cannot yet foresee.<\/p>\n Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stated a few days ago we\u2019re probably going to need a special legislative session later this year. She mentioned Medicaid, which is a major concern with our inadequate health care system. But it\u2019s not the only issue that New Mexico will have to address if we lose federal support.<\/p>\n Reliance on our federal government has been built into our everyday life in hundreds of ways, which we usually take for granted. Americans have trusted our government with matters from national security to the safety of baby food. We\u2019ll be finding out what is at risk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Donald Trump was elected to his second term, it was a foregone conclusion that he would attempt to make radical changes to our federal government. But we didn\u2019t know what he would do first or how it would affect … Continue reading