New Mexico’s governor has called in the state’s National Guard to help deal with crime. In Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, Guard troops are now monitoring traffic cameras, listening to police radio calls, and helping secure crime scenes. These jobs are not normally part of their duties.
Officials say the Guard was brought in because of a sharp increase in crime. Unlike recent federal troop deployments to Washington, DC and Los Angeles during immigration protests, New Mexico’s Guard members are wearing polo shirts instead of military gear — and they were sent by the state’s Democratic governor, not the federal government.
Last week, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also declared a state of emergency in other areas of New Mexico. This allows her to call in even more troops if needed.
Why the Guard Is in Albuquerque
Governor Grisham said her emergency order for Rio Arriba County, the city of Española, and surrounding pueblos came after requests from local officials.
Albuquerque’s police department asked for help, pointing to the “fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime” as urgent problems. Around 60 to 70 Guard members were deployed.
The governor’s office said local resources were “overwhelmed” by violent crime, drug trafficking, and public safety concerns. Rio Arriba County has the highest overdose death rate in the state.
The troops are not armed and will not arrest people, use force, or take part in immigration enforcement. Their job is to support police with background work, traffic control, and securing areas.
Police Chief Harold Medina explained: “We understand there are concerns based on what is taking place in other parts of the country. Here in Albuquerque, the Guard’s role is clearly defined — support without enforcement.”
The National Guard said on Facebook that troops are working behind the scenes in police offices and helping manage traffic and crime scenes.
City officials reported some early results. According to a city news release, shootings downtown dropped by 20% this year compared to 2024, which matches data from the governor’s office.
Different From Trump’s Approach
Governor Grisham has criticized President Donald Trump’s use of troops in Washington, DC, calling it “executive overreach.” She said her deployment was based on requests from local communities, unlike Trump’s federal orders.
In Washington, the National Guard answers only to the president. In contrast, state governors act as commanders-in-chief for their own Guard units.
Trump has said he might also send troops to Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles because of crime. But a Council on Criminal Justice mid-year report shows crime has actually dropped in those cities this year.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom described Trump’s actions in his state as “purposely inflammatory,” while Washington, DC’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb said they were unnecessary since crime there had hit 30-year lows.
Legal Questions Over Federal Troop Use
Some experts warn that federal troop deployments for local crime set a “dangerous precedent.” Normally, troops are used for natural disasters, protecting federal property, or controlling crowds.
In Los Angeles, a court case is testing whether Trump’s use of troops violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a law from the 1800s that bans the U.S. military from performing law enforcement duties. The trial ended last week, but the judge has not ruled yet.
David Shapiro, a lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, noted the law is vague, making it open to debate.
Former Guard member Jeffrey Swartz added that many Guardsmen do not want to be put in situations where they may need to act against U.S. citizens. “They are citizen soldiers,” he said. “They signed up to protect the country from outside threats, not internal ones.”
