William "Bill" Sharer, minority floor leader of the New Mexico Senate, expressed support for federal initiatives aimed at combating cartels and violent crime. In a press release, he described these efforts as essential steps toward ensuring safer communities.
"This announcement is welcomed by countless New Mexicans who are sick and tired of the failed leadership from radical progressives," said William "Bill" E. Sharer, Senator. "Unfortunately, our state's local progressive leadership continues to ignore the public safety crisis taking place in our communities. Nothing they do will stop President Trump from delivering on his promise of safer communities for all Americans."
According to Reuters, Sharer's statement comes in response to the Trump administration's recent establishment of two "National Defense Areas" along the U.S.–Mexico border in New Mexico and Texas. This initiative, which took place between April and May 2025, involved deploying approximately 8,000 active-duty troops. The deployment grants military authority to detain civilians and migrants, a move that has sparked criticism over concerns about militarization and legal clarity.
Federal prosecutors in the District of New Mexico reported that during the week ending June 13, 2025, authorities filed numerous charges related to illegal reentry, alien smuggling, illegal entry, and trespassing in National Defense Areas. These actions underscore an active enforcement strategy targeting federal crimes in the border region.
Data from the U.S. Department of Defense indicate that since President Trump's reinstatement in January 2025, there has been a significant decrease in unlawful border crossings by 94 percent. Additionally, it is reported that 80 percent of fentanyl seizures originate from cartel networks.
Ballotpedia reports that Sharer has served as a New Mexico state senator since 2001, representing District 1 in San Juan County. He assumed his role as the Senate’s Republican minority leader on January 21, 2025. Prior to his political career, he served in the U.S. Army infantry and later became a small-business owner in Farmington.
