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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Defunded DA hangs onto control of office for now
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — The state of New Mexico recently defunded a district attorney, saying she couldn't keep or hire staff because of her incompetence. The state now has a plan to fix the McKinley County District Attorney's Office operations, but the DA isn't allowing that to happen quite yet. San Juan County District Attorney Jack Fortner has tried email, phone calls, and even a mediation hosted by the Governor's Office to get McKinley County District Attorney Bernadine Martin to meet with him in person. Now out of time, he showed up at her office at 9 a.m. on Tuesday – the day the fiscal year began. The state legislature had put Fortner in control of the McKinley County DA Office's budget. 'It's on her': Senator defunds DA citing attitude, staff shortage When Fortner asked if Martin was available to speak, he was surprised to find she was. Martin let Fortner in, along with his staff – an HR employee and office manager who were ready to begin onboarding the staff under his payroll. Plus, attorneys prepared to help with her county's caseload. But then, Martin closed the door. The state defunded Martin's office after years of complaints from the community and police. She should have eight assistant prosecutors, but for more than six months, she's had zero. As we shared in a KRQE investigation Monday night, the sheriff says this staffing shortage has led to criminals not being held accountable. On top of that, KRQE News 13 is told Martin has created a hostile work environment. After their meeting, KRQE asked the DA again if she would talk with us. She said no, saying she had just met with Fortner. Their meeting lasted about half an hour. Fortner said he 'was not expecting her to co-operate,' but found Martin was very cooperative, and that they had a good discussion. But she won't let him have any say in her office's operation just yet. Fortner says Martin asked him to hold off for at least two more weeks, as she'd like to hear from the New Mexico Supreme Court first. Just last month, Martin petitioned the justices to weigh in on whether the legislature and governor have the right to defund her'DA Martin assured me that she has legal coverage for two weeks,' said Fortner. 'She has funds for her staff for two weeks. And so I said, 'as soon as you need us, we're here.'' Still, it remains unclear if the court will hand down a decision that soon. Fortner says that 'it's her office, and I can't intrude without her cooperation.' They agreed to talk in a week, and see what happens. Now, Martin could be removed before then. The governor asked the attorney general to investigate whether Martin's conduct amounts to gross incompetence. Letter from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to Attorney General Raúl Torrez Letter to District Attorney Bernadine Martin Response from Attorney General Raúl Torrez New Mexico Department of Justice spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez released the following statement: 'We are actively investigating whether District Attorney Bernadine Martin's conduct meets the legal standard of gross incompetence, as outlined in state statute, which is necessary to pursue her removal from elected office. As with any investigation, she is entitled to due process, and we remain committed to upholding the rule of law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How could New Mexico schools be impacted by withholding of federal funds?
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – It was stunning news for state public education agencies across the country. The day before federal funds, approved by Congress, were supposed to be distributed, the Trump Administration sent an email saying they're reviewing the nearly $7 billion in funds and freezing that money during the review. Story continues below Crime: Albuquerque police: Child exploitation sting was a success Trending: Poll: What is the strangest town name in New Mexico? News: How could New Mexico schools be impacted by withholding of federal funds? Wildfire: Couple loses home to Trout Fire burning in the Gila National Forest 'They didn't give states a lot of indication of what they're reviewing or why they're reviewing them, only that they were going to take a look at these,' said John Sena, Director of Legislative Education Study Committee, to lawmakers on Wednesday. There are still a lot of questions about what is going on at the federal level, but during an interim committee hearing on Wednesday, a group of lawmakers learned what the potential impact could be on New Mexico Schools. Lawmakers learned the money being withheld is used for five main categories: migrant education, professional development for teachers, English acquisition learners, who account for about 18.8% of New Mexico students, support to schools that are struggling, and after-school programs. Early numbers presented at the hearing show about $18 million would be withheld from professional development for teachers and $10 million for after-school programs. Among all five categories, the withheld funds total to about $44 million and would impact about 185 staffing positions in the Public Education Department and local school agencies. Sena also said the cuts could impact how New Mexico meets requirements in the Yazzie-Martinez settlement. 'Other than those, most of those federal grants that we normally receive, the [Department of Education] has received notification that they will get those grants. They haven't seen huge fluctuations in those grants from previous years,' Sena told lawmakers. The Trump administration is also considering consolidating 18 grants into one block grant. 'And would both mean a reduction in $3.8 billion in total funding, but would also then leave it up to states how they spend whatever allocation they get,' said Sena. Sena said his team is also working with the New Mexico Public Education Department to see how the impounded funding will impact each district individually. KRQE News 13 reached out to NMPED for comment, and a spokesperson said they are still trying to get more information on the impounded funds. Sena also warned lawmakers that the changes that could be coming to Medicaid could impact New Mexico schools, saying if eligibility is changed, the state might be on the hook to pay more to keep lunches free for all New Mexico students. 'It's disappointing but, sadly, not surprising that the Trump Administration is targeting public education funding. New Mexicans can rest assured that Gov. Lujan Grisham will fight for the federal education funding our state deserves,' said Michael Coleman, Communications Director for Office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, in an emailed statement to News 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
Donald Trump calls bankers 'Shylocks,' drawing criticism for antisemitic term
The president made the remark at a rally launching his yearlong celebration of America's 250th birthday. He said he '"heard" it was antisemitic. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump described some bankers as 'shylocks,' a term widely seen as an antisemitic slur, at a July 3 Iowa rally kicking off his yearlong celebration of America's 250th birthday. When asked by reporters about it later that evening, Trump said he has 'never heard that' the word is considered antisemitic. "The meaning of Shylock is somebody that's a money lender at high rates,' Trump said after disembarking from Air Force One. 'You view it differently. I've never heard that." Anti-bigotry groups were quick to condemn Trump, saying the president has a long history of making antisemitic remarks and should have known better. 'Shylock is among the most quintessential antisemitic stereotypes,' said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the nonpartisan Jewish Council for Public Affairs and an expert on antisemitism and extremism. 'This is not an accident,' Spitalnick said in a post on X. 'It follows years in which Trump has normalized antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories — and it's deeply dangerous.' The Anti-Defamation League, which combats antisemitism and racism worldwide, said the term 'evokes a centuries-old antisemitic trope about Jews and greed that is extremely offensive and dangerous.' 'President Trump's use of the term is very troubling and irresponsible,' the ADL said, also in a post on X. 'It underscores how lies and conspiracies about Jews remain deeply entrenched in our country. Words from our leaders matter and we expect more from the President of the United States.' 'Shylocks and bad people' who 'destroyed a lot of families' Trump's remark came at a campaign-style rally speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines for a "Salute to America Celebration." Much of his speech celebrated the passage of his massive budget reconciliation bill earlier in the day. 'No death tax. No estate tax. No going to the banks and borrowing from, in some cases, a fine banker — and in some cases, shylocks and bad people… they destroyed a lot of families,' Trump said. 'But we did the opposite,' Trump said, before describing the budget bill passed along party lines in the House and Senate. The term Shylock dates back centuries. In William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice,' the main antagonist was a character named Shylock, a Venetian Jewish moneylender portrayed as greedy, ruthless and charging high interest rates on loans. Joe Biden used the term too, then apologized Then-Vice President Joe Biden also used the term in 2014, describing unscrupulous bankers catering to American troops overseas as 'these Shylocks who took advantage of these women and men.' 'Shylock represents the medieval stereotype about Jews and remains an offensive characterization to this day,' Abraham Foxman, the ADL's national director said at the time. 'The Vice President should have been more careful.' Foxman later announced that Biden had reached out to him by phone to apologize. 'Not only has he been a stalwart against anti-Semitism and bigotry, but he has the courage and forthrightness to admit a mistake and use it as an opportunity to learn and to teach others about the harmful effects of stereotypes,' Foxman said of Biden. 'Clearly there was no ill-intent here,' Foxman added, 'but Joe and I agreed that perhaps he needs to bone up on his Shakespeare.' Biden also issued a public apology. "Abe Foxman has been a friend and advisor of mine for a long time," Biden said in a statement. "He's correct, it was a poor choice of words." Trump's history of remarks called antisemitic Trump has portrayed himself as a staunch advocate for Jews. Since retaking office, he has led an aggressive campaign to root out antisemitism at Harvard and other high-profile American universities – a move that some critics said curbs freedom of speech by those criticizing Israel for its war in Gaza. Trump has a long history of making statements that Jewish leaders, historians and civil rights organizations have interpreted as reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes, including jokes about being cheap and aggressive in business and accusations of them being primarily loyal to Israel. He also has associated with known antisemites. In 2015, he told the Republican Jewish Coalition, "You just like me because my daughter happens to be Jewish," and "I'm a negotiator like you folks; we're negotiators." During his first campaign for president in 2016, Trump tweeted an image of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton superimposed on dollar bills with a six-pointed star, widely interpreted as a Star of David. The ADL called it 'blatantly antisemitic.' Trump also has said any Jew who votes for Democratic "hates their religion" and "should have their head examined" because he has been so supporitive of Israel, which he has referred to as "your country" when addressing a Jewish audience. And in November 2022, Trump hosted far-right extremist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes – and Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West – at his Mar‑a‑Lago club. Both West and Fuentes were avid supporters of Trump who repeatedly had made antisemitic remarks. Fuentes in particular is a prominent figure among the far-right, peddling white nationalist ideas and openly promoting antisemitic and racist rhetoric. 'Bigotry, hate, and antisemitism have absolutely no place in America - including at Mar-A-Lago," Biden administration White House spokesman Andrew Bates told CNN in a statement. "Holocaust denial is repugnant and dangerous, and it must be forcefully condemned." In response to heavy criticism, Trump said West 'called me to have dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Shortly thereafter, he unexpectedly showed up with three of his friends, whom I knew nothing about."
