Trenton, New Jersey — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin are under federal investigation for allegedly instructing state and local law enforcement not to cooperate with federal agencies, according to a national television announcement by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Habba said on Fox News with Sean Hannity that her office is investigating Murphy and Platkin for issuing policies instructing law enforcement not to assist federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA. “I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Governor Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin,” she disclosed to the media.
Habba cited current guidance on the governor’s official website that outlines “do’s and don’ts” for local law enforcement. According to Habba, these directives discourage officers from working with federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants with valid administrative warrants.
Interference with federal enforcement
“These do’s and don’ts instruct them not to cooperate with illegal immigrants who have administrative warrants… saying that they are no longer welcome here,” Habba said, claiming the guidance undermines federal orders and the rule of law.
Habba stated that her office will not tolerate any policy that impedes federal operations or the removal of criminal noncitizens. “Anybody who does get in the way… will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment,” according to her.
Investigation launched immediately
Habba confirmed that the investigation began on Thursday and stated that her office’s primary goal is to ensure compliance with federal law and safety. She emphasized that the effort is not politically motivated, but rather aimed at enforcing immigration and criminal statutes.
As of Thursday morning, neither Governor Murphy nor Attorney General Platkin had publicly responded to the investigation. The governor’s website continues to display sanctuary policies that direct local agencies’ interactions with federal immigration authorities.
