Albuquerque, New Mexico – Former Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Deb Haaland, has expressed her concerns over what she perceives as the chaotic and cruel governance of the Trump Administration. Through an opinion piece in Courier Newsroom, Haaland outlines her aspirations and plans for turning hope into action, specifically aiming to benefit the working population in New Mexico.
In her piece, Haaland criticized President Trump, Elon Musk, and certain corporate figures for prioritizing profits over the welfare of average working Americans. She highlights, "This month, we saw President Trump, Elon Musk, and big CEOs turn the Oval Office into a corporate boardroom from the movie Wolf of Wall Street, all while they celebrated their massive profits for doing absolutely nothing to benefit everyday working people."
Haaland points out the struggles faced by many in New Mexico and across the United States, noting, "Meanwhile, in New Mexico and across the country, people who work hard every day saw their retirements take a huge hit. Families continue to struggle to make ends meet: rent soars, groceries take up more of our paychecks, and communities feel unsafe."
Currently running for governor of New Mexico, Haaland emphasizes the necessity of leaders who grasp the challenges faced by working families. She states, "We need leaders who understand the struggles New Mexicans and working Americans across the nation face and seek solutions, not profits."
Drawing on her personal experiences, Haaland advocates for change by highlighting the significance of hope and action: "I haven’t lived an easy life…Through it all, I felt what so many hardworking people feel every day: that the system isn’t working for us. But I’ve also felt something just as powerful—hope. That hope turned into action when I decided to get sober, and when I looked in the mirror at age 28 and decided to go to college."
Reflecting on her tenure under the Biden-Harris administration, Haaland recalls, "We created good jobs in clean energy and cleaned up legacy pollution. We supported our workforce of nearly 70,000 employees by respecting their expertise and honoring their service to the country."
Haaland also lays out her vision for New Mexico, advocating for practical and impactful leadership. "New Mexico deserves leadership that delivers results, not reckless rhetoric. We have to listen to the pain people are feeling, take it seriously, and then act accordingly."
Her campaign focuses on listening to various community members and stakeholders to spearhead effective change: "That means listening to farmers, ranchers, firefighters, small business owners, parents, teachers to ensure their voices shape our future."
Haaland concludes with a clear vision for state progress, asserting, "No one should have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Families should feel safe in their neighborhoods. Small businesses should thrive without being buried in red tape."
###
