Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, a U.S. Representative from New Mexico, used her social media platform in early November 2025 to criticize former President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over government shutdowns and policies affecting food security and health care.
On November 9, 2025, Leger Fernández wrote, "Trump is doing everything he can to starve Americans for Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, New Mexico is doing the opposite: making sure families can put food on the table with state dollars. Hunger is a policy choice. Trump keeps choosing cruelty. We choose community."
The following day, she continued her criticism of Republican leadership with another post: "Republicans shut down the government and Trump is literally starving Americans because they don’t want families to have affordable health care. They prefer misery over mercy. If Republicans were willing to make health care affordable, they would have extended the tax credits" (November 10, 2025).
On November 11, 2025, Leger Fernández addressed ongoing legislative negotiations regarding government funding and health care access: "Of course he won’t. For 40 days, Democrats have fought to reopen the government and address health care costs but Republicans refused to negotiate—or even show up to work. I’m a hell no on this “deal” and will fight like hell until health care is affordable."
Leger Fernández has represented New Mexico in Congress since first winning election in 2020 against Alexis Martinez Johnson with 58.7% of the vote compared to Johnson's 41.3%. She was re-elected in both 2022—again defeating Martinez Johnson—and in 2024 when she prevailed over Sharon Clahchischilliage.
Her recent statements come amid broader national debates about federal budget priorities and efforts by some states—including New Mexico—to address hunger using state resources.
