TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Republican lawmakers are calling for Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s resignation following a heated Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing Monday, accusing the state’s top law enforcement officer of failing to release legally mandated crime statistics for more than four years.
Assemblymen Robert Auth and Gerry Scharfenberger led the charge, slamming Platkin for not updating the state’s crime data since 2020, including figures related to domestic violence.
“I think it’s incumbent upon us to have a chat with him and ask why he is remiss in not getting that report over to us,” Auth said during the hearing.
The hearing centered on six domestic violence-related bills, five of which were passed unanimously. The proposed legislation aims to assist victims through expanded counseling, enhanced police protections, and a new public awareness campaign. Auth and Scharfenberger withheld support for a separate three-year pilot domestic violence court, citing concerns over its necessity.
Following the committee session, the lawmakers escalated their criticism, citing Platkin’s alleged political focus and failure to fulfill legal obligations. “He’s too busy catering to the national teachers’ union and suing Trump to do his actual job,” Auth said. “His job is to protect New Jersey residents, not to use the attorney general’s office as a stepping stone for political ambition.”
Scharfenberger emphasized that withholding data undermines the legislative process. “How are we supposed to legislate appropriately when the AG refuses to provide the data required by law?” he said.
The latest demand for Platkin’s resignation follows an earlier move by Assembly Republican leadership to introduce articles of impeachment against him. The resolution accuses Platkin of misusing his office to conduct politically motivated investigations and cites a report on State Police traffic stops as politically driven.
“He is failing victims, failing the law and failing the people of New Jersey,” Auth said.
Key Points
- NJ GOP lawmakers demand Attorney General Matthew Platkin resign over failure to release crime data since 2020.
- Assemblymen Auth and Scharfenberger criticize Platkin for political distractions and accuse him of dereliction of duty.
- Articles of impeachment were introduced earlier this month by Assembly Republican leadership.
AG under fire: NJ Republicans call for Platkin’s ouster over missing crime stats and political misuse of office.
