Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

Donald Trump was officially sworn in as president of the United States during a Monday ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, igniting the passions of New Mexico politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Democrats worried that Trump, inaugurated for a second term after defeating former Vice President Kamala Harris in last November’s election, could roll back progress they believe was made by Democratic President Joe Biden during Trump’s four-year absence from the White House.

Trump was first elected president in 2016, defeating former-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but then lost to Biden in the 2020 election. Trump’s comeback began as he secured the GOP nomination in early 2024 but a rematch with Biden failed to materialize when the incumbent president dropped out of the race weeks before Election Day and Democrats nominated Harris as their standard-bearer.

Republicans, emboldened by the win in November, hailed Trump as a president they said would usher in a new era of American prosperity, energy production, and security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Amy Barela, chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said Trump’s policies would mean “higher take-home pay, safer streets and lower grocery bills” for New Mexicans, along with cheaper gas prices paid at the pump.

“President Trump’s policies are focused on putting Americans first, and we are witnessing promises made and promises kept once again,” Barela said in a statement. “The sense of unity and purpose at this inauguration is a testament to the American spirit. Together, we are turning the page to a chapter filled with renewed hope and prosperity.”

That optimism was shared by Sen. Bill Sharer (R-1), Republican leader in the New Mexico Senate, who pointed to Trump’s campaign promises to support domestic oil and gas production. New Mexico is the No. 2 oil-producing state in the U.S. after Texas.

The two states share the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico and West Texas, while Sharer’s district represents parts of San Juan County in northwest New Mexico – the state’s other key fossil fuel region.

“A majority of Americans made their voices heard when they elected President Trump and his vision to secure our southern border, restore economic stability, and unleash our country’s full ability to produce natural resources domestically,” Sharer said. “These top priorities will be especially beneficial to all New Mexicans.”

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who attended the inaugural ceremony, voiced reservations about what a Trump presidency could mean for New Mexico, and said he would work in Congress to hold the president and his administration accountable for “injustice.”

“As the new administration takes office, my work for New Mexico remains the same, and I will hold the administration accountable when I see injustice,” Lujan said. “These next four years will undoubtedly present challenges for the American people, but New Mexicans can rest assured that I’ll always be a strong voice for our state.”

The New Mexico Democratic Party issued a statement arguing Trump’s policies would be chosen by “billionaires” and special interest groups and violate human rights in favor of a conservative agenda.

That means cuts to healthcare and social security and eliminating the right to U.S. citizenship for children born in America to immigrant parents, along with tariffs that will raise costs for consumers and national policy that could alienate U.S. allies abroad, read the statement.

“Throughout the Trump presidency, New Mexico Democrats will be here to speak out when he puts corporate interests first, abuses his presidential powers, and makes disastrous economic choices,” the statement read.