John Block, a New Mexico House representative, said that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham contradicted herself by opposing executive action in Washington, D.C., and then issuing a similar directive in Española. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
"Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham hates on Trump two days ago for properly using executive action to fight crime in DC," said JOHN BLOCK, New Mexico State Representative for 51st District (R). "Then today does THE EXACT SAME THING in Española. How is anyone buying what she's selling? Imitation is the highest form of flattery."
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Española and Rio Arriba County in August 2025. She deployed the National Guard to assist law enforcement amid rising violent crime and fentanyl trafficking. According to Source New Mexico, the governor cited strained local resources and public safety risks as justification for her actions. Previously, she had opposed President Trump's federal intervention in D.C. policing, calling it a threat to local control.
According to crime data published by BestPlaces.net, Española, New Mexico, has a violent crime rate of 95.8 and a property crime rate of 73.1—both more than double the national averages of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively. These elevated figures underscore the city’s ongoing public safety challenges, which prompted the governor’s recent emergency order.
As reported by AP News and Source New Mexico, governors across the U.S. have taken varying approaches to rising crime in 2024–2025. New Mexico's governor activated the National Guard for localized crime support, while Missouri and other states passed stricter sentencing laws and expanded police funding. These divergent strategies reflect a nationwide shift toward tougher crime policies.
According to Ballotpedia, John Block is a Republican member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for District 51, serving since January 2023. He is noted as the youngest legislator in the state and holds degrees from Rutgers University and Eastern New Mexico University. Block previously founded the conservative news site The Piñon Post.
