Joe Lombardo says four words—and walks away from traffic stop

Recently released bodycam footage has put the spotlight on Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, with many questioning whether he received special treatment from police officers. In the video that has been making rounds on social media, Lombardo was pulled over by a police officer for running a red light. However, instead of being punished for breaking a traffic law, the officer let him go after Lombardo revealed his identity.

The officer introduced himself as Sergeant Pacheco before beginning to explain the traffic violation. "The reason I am stopping you is for the...," he said before being cut off by the Nevada Governor. "I'm Joe Lombardo," he said. "I'm aware," the officer responded. "For the red light violation back there." The Governor seemed slightly frustrated with the situation as he said, "Come on, man." Without further questions, the officer let him go and wished him a good day.

The interaction has led many to question whether a politician in power could use his position to avoid being held accountable by the police for breaking traffic laws. "So the Governor of Nevada, Joe Lombardo, managed to get out of a traffic stop by simply saying he’s the Governor of Nevada," a netizen wrote on X. "I’m Nevada governor Joe Lombardo, and I don’t need to obey traffic laws, and I don’t get tickets because so huh?" asked another.

Steve Grammas, the president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, said that such interactions were routine, as officers often let motorists go with a warning for such traffic violations. It is important to note that Lombardo led the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for eight years as sheriff. "It really is a big nothing in my opinion," Grammas said, according to Wane. "Being that it is the governor, the former sheriff, odds are he doesn't have warrants, does not have a suspended driver's license, and so there's no need to run that person."

Lombardo's spokesperson, Elizabeth Ray, said that the Governor followed the instructions of the officer and was grateful for his professionalism. "Two months ago, Governor Lombardo and his wife were briefly pulled over on their way to the airport by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department over a question about whether Governor Lombardo had come to a complete stop while turning. Governor Lombardo spoke with the officer, fully complied with all instructions, and was promptly on his way. He remains grateful for the professionalism of the officer involved and for the service of law enforcement officers across Nevada," the statement read, as per NBC 3.

Lombardo, a GOP governor, is set to face a tough re-election challenge against Democratic candidate, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, in this year's Nevada gubernatorial race.