Jack Ciattarelli’s Whistleblowing Sparks Federal Investigation into New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
TRENTON, NJ – A political firestorm has erupted in New Jersey as gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli released a leaked New Jersey State Police memo that has triggered a federal investigation into Governor Phil Murphy’s administration.
The allegations, first reported by Shore News Network, have drawn the attention of Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba, who announced a probe into the Democratic governor’s actions.
Governor Phil Murphy has not yet responded to Habba’s investigation publicly.
🚨 Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey. https://t.co/dkghe2UcL4
Jack Ciattarelli released a leaked state police memo allegedly showing Murphy’s office ordered limits on ICE cooperation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has launched a federal investigation into the Murphy administration.
Murphy’s office denies wrongdoing, calling the allegations a politically motivated attack.
ICE directive leak fuels political controversy
Ciattarelli, a Republican who narrowly lost to Murphy in the 2021 gubernatorial race, said the memo reveals directives from Murphy’s office instructing state police to limit cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“This is about accountability,” Ciattarelli said in a statement. “No one is above the law, and New Jersey deserves transparency from its leaders. I couldn’t stay silent when I saw evidence of potential misconduct.”
The document, which Ciattarelli says he obtained through a confidential source, allegedly outlines steps to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts, raising questions about compliance with federal law.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
“This is about accountability,” Ciattarelli said in a statement. “No one is above the law, and New Jersey deserves transparency from its leaders. I couldn’t stay silent when I saw evidence of potential misconduct.”
The story broke on Shore News Network, which published excerpts of the memo alongside Ciattarelli’s accusations.
The report quickly gained traction, prompting Habba, a former personal attorney for President Donald Trump and a polarizing figure in her own right, to launch an investigation into Murphy and his administration, including Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Habba, appearing on Fox News’ Hannity on April 10, described the allegations as serious.
“If there’s evidence of obstruction or concealment, those responsible will face consequences,” she said, without directly referencing the memo. Her comments have fueled speculation about the scope of the investigation and its potential political motivations, given her ties to Trump and Ciattarelli’s prominence in Republican circles.
Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey.
-Alina Habba, U.S. Attorney, New Jersey
Ciattarelli, widely seen as a frontrunner for the Republican nomination, has been vocal about his intent to challenge Democratic dominance in the state. Political analysts suggest the whistleblowing move could bolster his campaign by appealing to voters frustrated with Murphy’s policies.
Shore News Network reported that Ciattarelli received it from an anonymous whistleblower within state government, but details about its chain of custody are sparse.
For now, the investigation is in its early stages, with Habba’s office declining to provide a timeline or specifics. Murphy, term-limited and unable to run again, faces mounting scrutiny as the probe unfolds.
