Let me get this straight—for years, Democrat leaders insisted crime was just a “perception problem.” Right. Tell that to the families burying their kids from fentanyl overdoses. Now, with President Trump’s law-and-order agenda gaining momentum nationwide, these same politicians are suddenly discovering emergencies in their own backyards (and we all know how that worked out).
The pattern is unmistakable: from coast to coast, blue state governors who spent years downplaying violence and drug epidemics are now scrambling to appear tough on crime. They’re not responding to their constituents’ suffering—that’s been ignored for years.
From Fox News:
Just two days after President Donald Trump seized control of Washington, D.C.’s police force to combat violent crime in the Democrat-run capital, New Mexico’s Democratic governor on Wednesday declared a state of emergency over rampant violence and drug trafficking in a large swath of her state.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the sweeping emergency declaration in crime-ridden Rio Arriba County, which includes two Native American Pueblo communities. The county, which stretches from the city of Española to the Colorado state line, has long struggled with some of the nation’s highest opioid overdose death rates.
A Sudden Awakening to Reality
What changed? Did criminals suddenly become more criminal? Did fentanyl just arrive last week? Of course not. The crisis Grisham suddenly discovered didn’t materialize overnight. But here’s the kicker: Police calls in Española and surrounding areas have more than doubled in the past two years.
Grisham’s emergency declaration makes $750,000 available for coordinated response efforts, though notably, there are no immediate plans for troop deployments. Instead, the funds will help local law enforcement with overtime and equipment—a Band-Aid on a bullet wound that’s been festering for years under Democrat leadership. Call me cynical, but this looks more like political theater than actual crime fighting.
Years of Neglect Come Due
I’ve seen this movie before, haven’t we all? This isn’t even Grisham’s first emergency response to crime in her state. Last April, she sent the National Guard to Albuquerque to address juvenile crime and fentanyl dealing. The Guard was tasked with scene security and traffic control—because heaven forbid we actually arrest anyone—essentially, everything except actually arresting criminals.
From ‘New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela’:
“This community is long overdue in receiving help to combat the out-of-control crime caused by the failed policies of our state leadership. While I hope the deployment of the National Guard will provide real assistance, the people of Española deserve more than just street counselors — they deserve action that addresses the root of the problem.”
The root of the problem Barela references is clear to anyone paying attention. Years of progressive criminal justice “reform,” drug decriminalization rhetoric, and vilification of law enforcement have created a perfect storm of lawlessness. When prosecutors refuse to prosecute, when police are handcuffed by political correctness, and when drug dealers are treated as victims rather than criminals, this is the inevitable result.
The Trump Effect Takes Hold
Even local Democrats are admitting the failure. Española City Councilor Sam LeDoux, while welcoming the governor’s action, acknowledged that crime has “long been overrun and not addressed.” When your own party members are publicly stating you’ve ignored a crisis for years, the political calculation becomes clear: act now or risk looking completely incompetent next to Trump’s decisive leadership—or worse, risk having Trump step in and do it for you.
The contrast couldn’t be starker. President Trump identified a problem in Washington, D.C., and immediately took control of the police force to address it. No committees, no studies, no hand-wringing about root causes—just decisive action to protect American citizens. Meanwhile, Democrat governors like Grisham only spring into action when the political heat becomes unbearable, and even then, their responses are halfhearted and insufficient.
Key Takeaways
• Trump’s DC police takeover triggered immediate emergency declarations in blue states
• New Mexico’s crime doubled while Democrats denied the problem existed
• Fentanyl devastated Native communities for years before action was taken
• Democrat governors only act tough on crime when politically cornered
Sources: Fox News
