santafenewmexican.com · Clara Bates cbates@sfnewmexican.com · September 9, 2026
The Roundhouse Report: New Mexico Republicans say discussion of Trump's 'New America' posts a distraction | News | santafenewmexican.com
# The Roundhouse Report: New Mexico Republicans say discussion of Trump's 'New America' posts a distraction
- By Clara Bates cbates@sfnewmexican.com
#### Clara Bates
- Author email (cbates@sfnewmexican.com) - Sep 8, 2026 - 1 hr ago - 0
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State House Republicans on Monday came out against President Donald Trumps's suggestion on social media he would rename New Mexico "New America" while accusing Democrats of using the issue as a distraction.
"New Mexico's name and identity are not up for negotiation, not by this president or any other," House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, wrote in a statement.
But, Armstrong wrote, "no political party owns New Mexican pride."
Trump's Sept. 7 social media post showed New Mexico renamed to New America Screenshot
"So, when I see New Mexico Democrats manufacturing outrage over a social media post, I have to ask what they're really trying to accomplish," she continued. "They know as well as I do that a post is not policy. They know the President of the United States has no constitutional authority to rename this state. What they're hoping is that if they yell loud enough about a troll post out of the White House, you won't notice what's happening right here in the Round House."
Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, wrote on Faceook Tuesday that "whatever point is being made with 'New America,' whether joking or meant to troll and provoke a reaction, Washington doesn't have the constitutional power to rename a state by executive decree."
Trump doubled down Monday, posting several seemingly artificial intelligence-generated images of maps with New Mexico replaced by "New America." He also posted a video Sunday evening of him pasting an "America" over a "Welcome to New Mexico" road sign.
"Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA," Trump wrote. "So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!"
Trump's suggestion comes less than two weeks after he renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid an escalating trade war with Canada. He also issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" on the first day of his second term.
New Mexico's constitution lays out the name of the state — "The name of this state is New Mexico" — so changing it would require a state constitutional amendment, which in turn requires voter approval.
One of about a half-dozen images President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday referring to New Mexico as "New America."
"Instead of fixing the poverty, crime, and failing education system they've caused, New Mexico Democrats like Gabe Vasquez are trying to distract voters from their awful record by focusing on what the President is posting on social media," Cunningham wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Cunningham, a retired Albuquerque police detective, will speak Thursday at 4:44 p.m. Eastern time about "public safety, his experience working in New Mexico law enforcement, and the cost of one-party Democrat control in New Mexico," according to a news release.
"I spent decades wearing the badge in New Mexico. Patrol, narcotics, years undercover against gangs and cartels," Cunningham said. "Thursday I get to tell the country what we have been living with down here, and what it is going to take to fix it. New Mexico is not a talking point to me. It is home."
Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham, left, stands beside Johnson during a news conference Aug. 26. The 2nd Congressional District, which stretches from the Albuquerque area to the U.S.-Mexico border, is a top target for Republicans. Nathan Burton/The New Mexican
"It's clear Greg takes marching orders from Trump and his MAGA donors. That's why he's going to Dallas to further embrace Trump's extremist agenda of healthcare cuts, the Iran war, and spiking gas prices," said Patricia Socarras Santiago, campaign spokesperson for Vasquez.
KOB-TV is continuing to work with the gubernatorial campaigns of Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull to find a date to host a debate, Michelle Donaldson, the TV station's vice president and general manager, said in a statement Tuesday.
This comes after KOB-TV announced late Friday a gubernatorial debate between Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull had been set for Oct. 8, which Dylan McArthur, Haaland’s campaign manager, said was "news to me!"
"We have been working for months with the two campaigns and have always wanted to find a date that worked for all," Donaldson said Tuesday. "We had communicated in advance to both camps that October 8 would be our default date, which represented a compromise should they be unable to come to an agreeable schedule."
"We’re continuing to communicate with the campaigns and remain open to other possible dates. In the meantime, we are preparing to host both candidates here in the KOB 4 Studio for an important discussion about the future of New Mexico," she added.
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