TRENTON, NJ – State troopers involved in allowing Republicans into the state capitol building without first proving their vaccination status have been reassigned, according to the New Jersey Globe.
The Globe reported that several officers were switched to new duty stations, replaced by officers more willing to enforce the potentially illegal mandate to keep GOP legislators who refuse to show their vaccination identification cards at the Statehouse.
On Monday, the National Guard assisted the New Jersey State Police with erecting new checkpoints ahead of today’s voting session.
Those who weren’t on board with the program were swapped out with those who were.
“Shame on the Democrats for playing politics with the great men and women of law enforcement,” said State Sen. Steven Oroho (R-Franklin), the incoming Senate minority leader. “The Democrats created a political powder keg and our NJSP are paying the price. Our NJSP deserve better.”
The New Jersey State Police said the moves were routine and not related to the troopers’ unwillingness to enforce a potentially unconstitutional measure against elected officials.
“This is due to staffing issues, promotions, individual (mutual) requests, operational needs of the Division of State Police and various other factors,” the NJSP said, according to the Globe. ““If personnel are moved, there are always Troopers who are selected to backfill those positions. This occurs across all branches of the division, and we do not leave positions vacant.”