Phil murphy: we're going to be draconian if we have to be draconian

Phil Murphy: We’re going to be Draconian if we have to be Draconian

by
October 5, 2021
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Phil Murphy fell short of throwing up government gang signs when he said he'll be draconian if he has to be, relating to how his 2020 lockdown was described by residents and the media.

TRENTON, NJ – In 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy unleashed the most draconian lockdown laws in American, second only perhaps to New York or California.

Now, Murphy wants if he has to go there again, he will, and he disagrees with his lockdown measures being described as Draconian. Draconian is when government imposes harsh and restrictive laws such as the regime of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany against the Jewish population.

Last year, Murphy mobilized the New Jersey State Police, the ABC and the Department of Consumer Affairs to aggressively enforce his lockdown mandates for individuals and businesses, charging hundreds of people and businesses with COVID-19 crimes.

Murphy doubled back on his opinion of the CDC’s new regulations regarding Thanksgiving saying he was mystified but said if he has to turn the bus around, he will.

“We’re going to be Draconian if we think we have to be Draconian, not because it’s a close call. When we shut the garage doors, when we mandate something as it relates to masking, whatever it might be, we lose credibility if we’re being seen to be Draconian when it’s not – it completely defies common sense,” Murphy said. “I hope we never cross that line, particularly knowing the playbook that we know. If it’s your family, and you know your vaccination status, and you’re getting around a table for Thanksgiving dinner, I think it’s out of bounds for us to say you got to whatever, wear a mask, don’t have the dinner, whatever. To me, Judy, unless you disagree, that’s out of bounds.”

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

As the founder of Shore News Network, Stilton oversees editorial operations, investigative reporting, and breaking news coverage while working closely with journalists, public officials, and community leaders. His reporting has covered municipal government, state politics, federal policy, public records investigations, emergency management, and major news events affecting local communities.

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