“Governor escalates criticism as ‘No Kings’ protests draw crowds across New Jersey.”
Princeton, NJ – Governor Mikie Sherrill used a weekend rally to sharpen her opposition to President Donald Trump, aligning herself with demonstrators gathered across the state under the banner of “No Kings.” Speaking before a packed crowd, Sherrill framed her administration as a continued counterweight to federal policies she argues threaten constitutional norms and New Jersey residents.
The speech comes just days after it was discovered that Sherrill had launched a national political action committee to raise money for a possible future run for President and to support other progressive candidates at the national level.
The event, co-hosted by Indivisible Princeton and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, was one of several held Saturday statewide. Organizers described the turnout as strong, with participants voicing concerns over immigration enforcement, economic policy, and executive authority under the Trump administration.
Sherrill directly addressed those themes in her remarks, invoking both constitutional language and ongoing legal disputes between her administration and the federal government. “No kings. No thrones. No crowns. I’ll keep fighting the President to defend what we believe in here in New Jersey – the Constitution, the rule of law, and We the People,” she said.
Key Points
- Governor Mikie Sherrill spoke at “No Kings” rallies held across New Jersey on Saturday
- She criticized President Trump’s policies on infrastructure, immigration, and the economy
- The events were organized by advocacy groups including ACLU-NJ and Indivisible Princeton
Rally message centers on constitutional concerns
Sherrill continued her remarks by emphasizing what she described as a broader threat to democratic governance. “We are here to stand up strongly to say no kings, no kings, no dictators. We believe in the Constitution. We believe in the rule of law. We believe in the people,” she said. “Not here, not now, not ever, no kings.”
Her speech echoed themes from her inaugural address and earlier public appearances, where she has consistently argued that federal actions under Trump overstep constitutional limits. The governor has positioned New Jersey as an active legal challenger, frequently engaging in court battles over federal directives.
Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16) also addressed attendees following the governor, reinforcing similar concerns about federal authority and civil liberties.
Ongoing disputes over infrastructure and federal policy
Among the issues highlighted, Sherrill pointed to the stalled Gateway Tunnel project, a critical infrastructure effort affecting an estimated 200,000 daily commuters between New Jersey and New York. She cited repeated legal clashes with the Trump administration over funding for the project.
She also referenced broader national impacts tied to federal governance, including the ongoing government shutdown. “This is what happens when you put someone in charge who’s more interested in making a billion dollars for himself and his family than running the United States of America,” said the Governor.
Sherrill’s criticism extends beyond infrastructure. Since taking office, she has challenged Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs she has described as harmful to New Jersey residents, as well as immigration enforcement actions she argues violate constitutional protections.
The rallies highlighted those concerns, with organizers and attendees pointing to immigration raids, economic pressures, and executive actions as motivating factors behind the demonstrations.
Sherrill’s administration has indicated it will continue pursuing legal and political opposition where it sees federal overreach, reinforcing her position as a leading state-level critic of the current administration. So far, New Jersey has sued the Trump administration over 24 times since he took office last year.
