TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy reflected on his administration’s early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the Trump administration’s role in assisting New Jersey during the crisis while also highlighting areas of ongoing cooperation.
“In the first couple of months—March, April, May, June of 2020—they were indispensable, and we worked very closely together,” Murphy said, noting that despite the tragic loss of life, the collaboration helped prevent even greater casualties.
Murphy also credited Trump for advancing critical infrastructure projects in New Jersey, particularly the Gateway Tunnel project’s Portal North Bridge, which is expected to be completed later this year.
“He greenlit a huge piece of the Gateway Tunnel project,” Murphy said. “In fact, when I spoke to him after he won the election, I invited him to come up and cut the ribbon.”
While Murphy has frequently clashed with Trump on policy, he acknowledged moments of bipartisanship, particularly during the height of the pandemic and on key infrastructure initiatives.
Murphy recognizes Trump’s role in pandemic aid and infrastructure funding despite their political differences.
