ALBUQUERQUE — Thousands of demonstrators rallied across New Mexico last Saturday for the state’s third “No Kings Day” protest, voicing opposition to the Trump administration. The largest gatherings took place in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
KOB 4 reported that demonstrators held signs reading “No Crown for a Clown” and “No Human Is Illegal,” while some wore inflatable animal costumes.
Among the grievances cited, the administration’s immigration policies were a primary focus. Donald Trump campaigned on immigration reform and border security, and the Department of Homeland Security reported in January 2026 that 675,000 deportations had taken place during his current term.
For comparison, the Migration Policy Institute reported that Barack Obama oversaw 5,281,115 deportations during his presidency, a total accumulated over eight years that earned him the nickname “deporter in chief.”
Other concerns raised by protesters included tensions with Iran, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and broader opposition to Trump.
Several Democratic lawmakers and candidates attended, including former Georgia state Rep. Stacey Abrams. Abrams spoke at the Albuquerque protest, criticizing what she described as Trump’s “authoritarianism” and campaigning for Deb Haaland, a leading Democratic gubernatorial contender.
Haaland, who also attended the event, said she would be able to “handle Trump” if elected governor, according to Source NM.
Abrams faced criticism in 2018 for refusing to concede her loss in Georgia’s gubernatorial race to Republican Brian Kemp. She lost to Kemp again in 2022.
Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján addressed the Santa Fe crowd, criticizing Trump’s immigration policies and election integrity measures. He led the crowd in chanting “no kings!” and “no bull!”
The New Mexico protests were part of coordinated demonstrations held nationwide.
The Republican Party of New Mexico said in a statement: “We have a president who is making our country infinitely safer by doing what Democrats have refused to do for years: cracking down on crime, eliminating terrorist threats abroad, and removing dangerous criminal illegals from our communities.”
