Governor deploys National Guard to Democrat-run city overrun with crime | Law Enforcement Today

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Democratic Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, declared a state of emergency on April 7, citing the “significant increase” in criminal activity in the city. The Governor authorized emergency funds for the New Mexico National Guard to supplement the Albuquerque Police Department in an Executive Order.

In a press release from Lujan Grisham, the governor cited an emergency request for assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) along the Central Avenue corridor and other neighborhoods in Albuquerque around the critical issues of fentanyl trafficking and rising violent juvenile crime.

The governor’s office stated that between 60 and 70 National Guard personnel will be detailed to Albuquerque starting in the mid-May. The detachment is already undergoing training under the supervision of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, State Police, and APD.
 

BREAKING: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has activated the National Guard to help the Albuquerque Police Department fight crime.

The emergency request from APD cites the fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime as critical issues requiring immediate… pic.twitter.com/ky1zjxaZHr

— Zach Rael (@ZachRaelNews) April 8, 2025

“The safety of New Mexicans is my top priority,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “By deploying our National Guard to support APD with essential duties, we’re ensuring that trained police officers can focus on what they do best–keeping our communities safe. This partnership represents our commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime with every resource at our disposal.”

In the text of Lujan Grissom’s Executive Order, she explained, “this disaster is of such magnitude as to be beyond local control and required the resource of the State of New Mexico to minimize economic or physical harm and to take actions necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.”

The New Mexico Department of Finance Administration is mandated to make $750,000 available for the deployment in Lujan Grissom’s Order.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller explained during a press conference that the National Guard would be dressed in civilian clothing and would not be participating in law enforcement actions. “There is not going to be anyone with weapons,” Keller said, according to the Daily Lobo. “There's not going to be anyone in fatigues. There’s not going to be any military vehicles.”