Stay Safe

Deb Haaland, the highest-ranking New Mexican in the Biden administration, is wrapping up her time as secretary of the interior.”I’m honored that President Biden kept his promise to have his cabinet look like America,” Haaland said.Haaland, the nation’s first Native American Cabinet secretary, hails from Laguna Pueblo and graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School.She is days away from completing a four-year term leading the Interior Department, overseeing public lands and waters across the U.S.”It’s been wonderful that we’ve had opportunities to conserve lands in New Mexico,” Haaland said.In April, Haaland directed the Department of the Interior to cease mineral development on 4,200 acres near Placitas.She also awarded $60 million for water security projects below Elephant Butte into West Texas and banned oil and gas drilling for 20 years on Chaco Canyon’s federal lands, a decision that sparked controversy.”Absolutely. Yes. Some places are too special to drill or mine or extract anything,” Haaland said when asked if she stands by the Chaco Canyon decision.Haaland has largely worked to protect sites sacred to Native Americans.”It was built in 1150 A.D. that can never be replaced,” she said.With a soon-to-be Trump White House, speculation has started about a potential run for New Mexico’s governor.”Deb Haaland also has a lot of name recognition,” KOAT political expert Brian Sanderoff said.When asked if Haaland would run for governor, she said she remains dedicated to her last few days left in the federal government.”Thank you for the question. I have a few days left. I’m going to work hard until I leave the department,” Haaland responded. “I actually can’t answer that right now,” This is likely due to the Hatch Act, which prohibits certain federal employees from being a candidate for public office.”I do. Yes. Yes. It’s my home. New Mexico is my home,” Haaland said when asked if she would return to New Mexico.Another major win for Haaland was her investigation into federal boarding schools, which resulted in a historic apology from President Joe Biden late last year.Haaland and all Biden administration staff will officially end their duties when President-elect Donald Trump takes his oath of office.