Latest news with #LegerFernández
Fox News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
New Mexico GOP chief accuses Democratic rep of 'contradictory' rhetoric after alleged arson attack
New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela called out Democrats' inflammatory rhetoric Monday after an alleged arsonist targeted the state Republican Party's headquarters over the weekend. Her comments came after New Mexico Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández encouraged Democrats to "respond" to the Trump administration's changes with a "three-prong project" during a "Republican Ripoff" town hall. "Legislate. Litigate. Agitate. And you guys are part of the agitate party, so don't feel like we are hopeless or helpless when we express our outrage," Leger Fernández told an audience in Santa Fe on Saturday, one day before the attack. She brought down the temperature in an X post after the attack on Sunday, calling political violence "unacceptable," and adding that perpetrators must be "held accountable" so every American can "freely and safely participate" in democracy. "At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in action – about the importance of showing respect and listening. That is what we need right now," she added. Barela was quick to point out the timeliness of the attack, however, pointing to the "agitate" remark as a potential inciter. "I believe that she changed her statement as soon as I came out to the media and was calling her out on those statements. You're holding a town hall to discuss about the love of the community, and you use the words 'agitate.' I think it's contradictory," she said on "Fox & Friends." Though the incident is still under investigation, Barela said an incendiary device was planted outside the GOP headquarters' doorway around 1 a.m. Sunday and was ignited around 5 a.m. Graffiti reading "ICE = KKK" was spray-painted on the side of the building as well. Though no one was inside at the time, Barela said she fears for the "safety of [her] staff" in light of a wave of violent protests sweeping the nation. She called on Democrats to "come to the table and work together" to fix New Mexico's crime problems instead of "calling out for violence and destruction." Authorities are now investigating the incident as a hate crime, though officials have yet to determine an exact cause or motive, local outlet KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported. Leger Fernández said in a statement to the outlet, "Political violence of any sort is unacceptable, including this attack. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy." The Democratic congresswoman condemned the act of violence again, telling the Santa Fe New Mexican her town hall emphasized "the importance of showing respect and listening." "It is a ludicrous leap to twist encouraging democratic participation, calling your representatives and showing up at town halls into an insinuation of violence," she said, per the outlet. "The Republican Party's accusations are themselves dangerous and the ultimate disrespect to our political process. They distract from the real work of bringing people together to build a better future," she added.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Democrats Showed Up in Pink to Trump's Speech
It's no coincidence that several Democratic lawmakers—all women—showed up in pink to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, the chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, said they did it to send Trump a message. 'Women are claiming pink as a color of protest, as a color of power, and we are protesting what is happening right now,' Leger Fernández said in a press conference prior to the speech, adding that the outfits were meant to draw attention to the way the Trump administration is 'negatively impacting women and families.' Other Democratic lawmakers stood behind Leger Fernández at the press conference donning varying shades of pink. California Rep. Judy Chu held up a sign that read 'Trump betrays women for billionaire tax cuts.' House Democratic Women's Caucus holds news conference ahead of Pres. Trump remarks to Congress: LIVE HAPPENING NOW: The House Democratic Women's Caucus holds a news conference ahead of Pres. Trump remarks to Congress. Posted by ABC News on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 'We cannot afford the discrimination he is unleashing against women everywhere,' Leger Fernández said, slamming Trump and his administration for everything 'from firing admirals at the Coast Guard to cutting women's health research and slashing programs to combat violence against women.' Democratic women in Congress have worn white outfits every year since the first Trump administration to honor the suffragettes. Other Democratic lawmakers reportedly had their own forms of protest planned ahead of Trump's speech. Six Democrats told Axios they were considering several options to protest Trump's speech, from holding up signs with anti-Trump or anti-DOGE messages to bringing empty egg cartons to highlight rising inflation. The use of noisemakers such as hand clappers and a walkout were also floated. 'The part that we all agree on is that this is not business as usual and we would like to find a way—productively—to express our outrage,' a House Democrat told Axios.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Democratic women are wearing pink and white at tonight's Trump speech
Eight years ago, when President Donald Trump gave his first address to a joint session of Congress, Democratic women in the chamber wore white in a concerted effort to call attention to women's rights. This year they have expanded the dress code, adding pink. Some women will continue to wear white at Tuesday night's address by Trump. But New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who chairs the Democratic Women's Caucus, told Time magazine that wearing pink is meant to call attention to Trump's administration 'negatively impacting women and families.' 'Women are claiming pink as a color of protest, as a color of power, and we are protesting what is happening right now,' Leger Fernández said during a news conference Tuesday. Women in Congress on the left have donned white almost every year since Trump's first term in honor of suffragists who fought to expand the right to vote a century ago. In 2018, some chose to wear black to reflect the #MeToo movement. The choice to wear white mirrors other prominent politicians who wore the color during key moments. Geraldine Ferraro wore white when accepting her nomination as the first woman candidate for vice president in 1984, as did Hillary Clinton when accepting her party's presidential nomination in 2016. On Tuesday night, the Democratic women's white and pink attire will once again draw a contrast with the typically dark suits in the rest of the chamber. The addition of pink to their now-normal white is meant to reflect a shift in tone, Leger Fernández told Time. But the evening's bright colors come at a moment of friction between elected Democrats and their constituents. A February Quinnipiac poll showed 68 percent of surveyed Americans — and 63 percent of women — disapprove of the way Democrats have handled their job in Congress. They also found that Trump had a 60 percent disapproval rate among surveyed women. Ahead of Tuesday night's address, most Democrats say they want to be present in the chamber to show that the president still faces organized opposition from their party. A handful may protest during the speech or not show up. Some members are bringing federal workers and military veterans recently laid off by the so-called Department of Governmental Efficiency, the cost-cutting effort led by Elon Musk, as their guests. Members will also wear buttons that read 'Betrayed for Billionaires' to draw attention to the proposed House budget cuts that Democratic critics say will disproportionately help lower tax rates for the rich at the expense of gutting public funding. Grace Panetta contributed to this report. The post Why Democratic women are wearing pink and white at tonight's Trump speech appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scoop: Democratic Women in Congress to Wear Pink to Trump's Speech
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) speaks during a Mother's Day Press Conference calling for action on Care and Reproductive rights on May 08, 2024 in Washington, DC. Credit - Jemal Countess–Getty Images Dozens of Democratic congresswomen are planning to wear pink to President Donald Trump's Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday night as part of a coordinated protest against the President's policies. New Mexico Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who chairs the Democratic Women's Caucus, confirmed exclusively to TIME on Monday that the pink attire is meant to 'signal our protest of Trump's policies which are negatively impacting women and families.' 'Pink is a color of power and protest,' she says in an interview. 'It's time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear.' Trump's return to the Capitol marks his first formal address to Congress in five years. Such high-profile speeches have historically served as a prominent stage for the party not in power to showcase its opposition to the sitting president. During Trump's first term, Democratic lawmakers were vocal in their dissent—some booed, others staged walkouts, and many used their attire to make political statements. At Trump's 2020 State of the Union, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi made headlines when she tore up a copy of his speech while seated directly behind him on the dais. Read More: Trump's Strategy For His Speech to Congress: Craft Viral Moments, Blame Biden The Democratic Women's Caucus, which has 96 members, has long used fashion as a form of protest. In previous years, they donned white as a tribute to the suffragists who fought for women's voting rights, and at last year's State of the Union Address to highlight their advocacy for reproductive freedom. This year, the group is opting for a new strategy, choosing pink to reflect a shift in tone as they address what they see as a critical moment in American politics. 'Women have worn pink in opposition to Trump before, and we will do it again,' Leger Fernández says. She cited a range of concerns with the Trump Administration, from his tariffs on Canada and Mexico that could increase prices on goods to pushing for a budget that would cut Medicaid, which is the largest single payer of maternity care in the U.S. and covers more than 40% of U.S. births. She argued that policies advanced by his Administration—on reproductive health and social programs—are disproportionately and negatively affecting women, particularly those from working-class backgrounds. 'All of those are falling on women's shoulders especially hard,' Leger Fernández says. 'Women in my district are terrified and are also losing their jobs with the indiscriminate, inconsistent, chaotic, mass firings. When a woman loses her job, she loses the ability to care for her family.' But beyond symbolism, Democrats are looking to use the address as an opportunity to highlight the real-world consequences of Trump's policies. Many lawmakers are bringing guests who have been directly impacted by his administration's initiatives, including union leaders, federal workers affected by widespread cuts, and others who have felt the effects of a government funding freeze. Unlike in previous years, there does not appear to be a widespread push among Democrats to boycott the address. Instead, many lawmakers say they want to be visibly present, highlighting their opposition through a striking visual contrast—Democratic lawmakers seated in stony silence as Republicans rise in applause. 'I think it's important that Trump, my Republican colleagues, and the nation see the faces and the pain that he is inflicting on America and on the services we depend on,' Leger Fernández says. Write to Nik Popli at
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico farmers, tribes could feel impact of federal funding freezes, members of congress say
Feb. 17—SANTA FE — Three members of New Mexico's all-Democratic congressional delegation warned Monday the state could feel an outsized impact of federal firings and funding cuts by President Donald Trump's administration. U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, specifically cited the impact of funding freezes on New Mexico agriculture, acequias and wind farm projects. That includes more than $130 million earmarked for New Mexico farmers under a federal grant program that is now in limbo, Leger Fernández said. Heinrich said his office has struggled to get solid firing numbers from the Trump administration, but described the cuts as deep and drastic. "The impacts for New Mexico are going to be substantial," he told reporters. The three members of New Mexico's congressional delegation visited the Roundhouse on Monday to deliver remarks to lawmakers, while roughly 1,000 protesters held signs protesting the Trump administration outside the building. The other two members of the state's delegation — U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez — already spoke to legislators last month. Only a small number of Republican lawmakers stayed in the House chambers for all three speeches Monday, though Luján received a standing ovation from all legislators when he referenced his recovery from a serious 2022 stroke. Leger Fernández was the most pointed in her comments to lawmakers, saying the nation was at the doors of a "constitutional crisis" due to the actions of a DOGE cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk. Musk has defended the actions as intended to root out waste, fraud and abuse in federal government programs. Heinrich, who recently announced he would not run for New Mexico governor next year and instead planned to stay in the U.S. Senate, told reporters after his remarks to lawmakers that he believes the federal layoffs and cuts are intended to find savings to pay for tax cuts supported by the Trump administration. "It's an endless game of whack-a-mole that I suspect we're going to be playing for a long time," Heinrich said. Among other targeted programs, he cited possible cuts to tribal initiatives that provide health care services and benefit students with disabilities as areas of concern. The three members of New Mexico's congressional delegation also said nearly $5.5 billion in federal disaster aid appropriated to help victims of the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire is set aside in a separate funding pool and has not been impacted by the Trump administration's actions. But they urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expedite payments to northern New Mexico residents who have submitted damage claims. "It was the right thing to do then, and it's an urgent thing to do now," Leger Fernández said. With Republicans holding a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and a slightly larger majority in the U.S. Senate, Leger Fernández also said members of New Mexico's delegation will be looking for GOP allies to try to halt some of the Trump administration's policies. Luján, whose father Ben Luján served as New Mexico's Speaker of the House for 12 years before his 2012 death, called for a bipartisan approach to what he described as federal government overreach. "I know we are all concerned about these illegal federal funding freezes," he said, referring to recent judicial rulings halting some of Trump's executive orders. Heinrich, for his part, vowed Democratic leaders will not turn their backs on immigrant families and women seeking reproductive health care services, including abortion. "We live in an era of loyalty pledges, from the right and the left, frankly," Heinrich told legislators. "I want to implore you not to sign pledges, but to solve problems."
