TRENTON, NJ — 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 an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba on national television.
Key Points
- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced a federal investigation into Gov. Phil Murphy and AG Matthew Platkin.
- The probe concerns alleged directives not to cooperate with federal immigration and law enforcement agencies.
- Habba said state officials could face obstruction and concealment charges.
Speaking on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Habba stated her office is opening investigations into Murphy and Platkin for issuing policies that instruct law enforcement not to assist federal agencies including 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 said on air.
Habba cited guidance currently available on the governor’s official website outlining “do’s and don’ts” for local law enforcement. According to Habba, these directives discourage officers from cooperating with federal authorities seeking 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 violates the rule of law.
Habba asserted that her office would not tolerate any policy that obstructs federal operations or the removal of criminal non-citizens. “Anybody who does get in the way… will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment,” she added.
Investigation launched immediately
Habba confirmed that the investigation began Thursday and said her office is focused on ensuring compliance with federal law and public safety. She emphasized the effort is not politically motivated but directed at enforcing immigration and criminal statutes.
Neither Governor Murphy nor Attorney General Platkin has issued a public response to the investigation as of Thursday morning. The governor’s website continues to display sanctuary policies that guide local agencies on interactions with federal immigration authorities.