‘Our name is not a joke.’ New Mexico state historian reacts to Trump’s social media post

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Fewer people know the history of the Land of Enchantment than Rob Martinez.

In fact, it's his job to know more than most about it.

Martinez holds the title of New Mexico state historian, a position he has held since 2019, and he holds his position in quite high regard.

"You have to come in knowing our history, but also open to learning," Martinez told ABC-7. "I always tell people, I'm open to changing my mind when presented with evidence."

Now, Martinez and his colleagues at the New Mexico State Record Center and Archives in Albuquerque are reacting to this post made by President Donald Trump on his desire to rename New Mexico to "New America.

Trump released this post, along with a flurry of others, on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday and Monday, including the President saying that changing the state's name would be, "so much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State..."

However, those like Martinez told ABC-7 that they do not recognize these actions by the President as humorous.

"It's alarming and it's serious," Martinez said. "It's not funny and it's not a joke. Our name is not a joke. It's our heritage. It's our history."

ABC-7's Max Zepeda spoke in great detail with Martinez and how him and his team of archivers feel about Trump's new position, the difficulty in it coming to fruition, and why the name "New Mexico" represents more than just a state.