Trenton, NJ — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said his administration will attempt to work with President Donald J. Trump, but warned the former president, he’s willing to fight him if he has to.
“Our commitment, again, is not to any person or party but to the people of New Jersey and to the rule of law. It is precisely for that reason, as we respect the peaceful transition of power, that if there is any attack on the Garden State or on any of its communities from Washington, I will fight back with every fiber of my being,” Murphy said.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz ran a campaign deeply rooted in New Jersey’s shared values, Governor Phil Murphy stated, expressing gratitude for their efforts and promising continued commitment to advancing New Jersey’s interests. Murphy highlighted his administration’s readiness to work with President Trump in areas that benefit New Jersey, while underscoring his allegiance to the people of the state and the rule of law. He asserted his willingness to oppose any federal action that would negatively impact New Jersey or its communities, promising a vigorous defense.
Murphy described his administration’s approach as one focused on defending New Jersey against threats but also taking every opportunity to work with the President to enhance the quality of life for New Jerseyans. Reflecting on the past, Murphy noted that his administration had initially governed alongside the Trump administration, addressing key issues like reproductive rights, gun safety, and immigrant protections. He emphasized that this commitment to critical policies would continue.
Murphy cited specific instances of productive collaboration with the Trump administration, such as the authorization of the Portal North Bridge Project. He shared that, after meeting with Trump in June 2020, the project received immediate approval and has since stayed on schedule and budget, expected to be completed next year. Additionally, Murphy commended the Trump administration’s support during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing federal resources to New Jersey’s success in saving lives during critical periods.
He expressed that resilience has defined his administration, and maintaining shared values has allowed New Jersey to weather significant adversity. Murphy stressed the importance of unity, describing America as a place of shared purpose, where freedom of choice, worship, and identity are respected. He acknowledged the challenges of active citizenship, but highlighted its essential role in the ongoing American experiment.
As divisions continue to affect the nation, Murphy urged New Jersey to lead by example, promoting the state and the country as places of prosperity and unity.
Phil Murphy speech transcript below:
The same commitment after this election, and by the way, the number looks like it’s going to land somewhere between 4.2 and 4.3 million. Remember, 2020 was an all-time record, and it was vote-by-mail exclusively. So, the number of folks who showed up and voted this time, whether it was through the mail, in person early, or on election day, is a very impressive number. This year, there is no doubt the margins in our state were far tighter. By the way, if you look at other similar states, you’ll notice that their margins shrank just about the same. Illinois, New York, Maryland, ourselves, and California all came in somewhere between 10 and 12 points relative to the performance in 2020.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz ran a campaign grounded in so many of our state’s shared values, and I thank them for a hard-fought race. As we look toward the future, our administration is committed to working with President Trump wherever we can to advance New Jersey’s interests, just as we did throughout his first term. Our commitment, again, is not to any person or party but to the people of New Jersey and to the rule of law. It is precisely for that reason, as we respect the peaceful transition of power, that if there is any attack on the Garden State or on any of its communities from Washington, I will fight back with every fiber of my being.
Just as it is our responsibility to continue to stand up against any threat to our state or to our people, it is also our responsibility to take any opportunity that presents itself to work with the President to protect and uplift the people of our state because that is what responsible leaders do. In many respects, we began our administration on the same note, with President Trump having been sworn in the year before. Indeed, we governed alongside the Trump administration for our first three years, and while my administration stood up fiercely during President Trump’s first term on things like defending a woman’s right to choose, advancing common-sense gun safety policies, and protecting our immigrant communities, we will continue to do so on all of these fronts and many more.
But we also showed our ability to work with him and his team to advance policies and initiatives that make life better for New Jerseyans. In June of 2020, for example, I sat across the table from President Trump in Bedminster and urged him to authorize the Portal North Bridge Project, one of the most critical infrastructure initiatives in the nation. The President heard my argument and greenlit the project literally that night, and that project is well underway. It is on track, it is under budget, it’s on time, and it will be completed next year. It will be a game-changer.
Likewise, during the dark days of the pandemic, I and our team worked closely with the Trump administration to ensure that New Jersey had access to every federal resource we needed to save lives. As I’ve said many times before, I will never forget their help, especially in that period of March, April, May, and June of 2020. The point is that we have been down this road before, and when we have put New Jersey and our shared values first, we have emerged stronger. We have faced extreme adversity before, and when we refused to give in, we emerged tougher.
We’ve been fearful of what the future holds before, with our allies and adversaries alike waiting to see what path we choose. When we have stayed true to our values, we have emerged more united as a nation, as a state, and as a people. This is a nation that celebrates what unites us as much as what sets us apart—a nation where you can vote as you please, pray as you choose, and be who you are. Despite it all, and even at a moment like this, we are still united by a common sense of purpose. America demands work from each successive generation; it demands we be active citizens. It is not easy—no one ever said it would be—but it is good and noble work that is worth doing, even as the dust settles on this election.
Today, at a time of great division in our nation, when the bonds between our fellow citizens have grown so frayed, let New Jersey be united in making our state—and, indeed, our nation—the best place to live, work, and raise a family. The people of New Jersey have never stopped believing in our great American experiment, and today is no exception. There is more work to be done for sure, and I promise you, we will do it. May God continue to bless the great state of New Jersey and the United States of America.