New Jersey Governor’s Comments On Federal Immigration Enforcement Spark Debate Over Public Safety, Federal Authority & Personal Wealth Disclosures
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 11:20 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill delivered a forceful critique of federal immigration enforcement Saturday morning during a nationally televised appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, denouncing recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as tantamount to a “proto-militia” operating under the direction of Donald Trump.
Photo Courtesy Of MS NOW
Sherrill’s remarks, made during her first major national interview since taking office on Tuesday, immediately drew sharp reactions across the political spectrum, intensifying an already heated national debate over immigration enforcement, state authority, and public safety.
During the interview, Sherrill criticized ICE agents engaged in removal operations involving illegal criminal aliens and illegal immigrants, arguing that federal enforcement actions in New Jersey represent an overreach of authority and undermine civil liberties. She stated that her administration would actively resist federal immigration enforcement efforts she deems inconsistent with state law and constitutional protections.
“These are not officers acting under the rule of law in our communities,” Sherrill said, referring to ICE agents. “They are operating like a proto-militia, and we are going to fight to protect the people of New Jersey.”
The governor further emphasized that New Jersey law enforcement agencies under her administration would not cooperate with ICE operations that, in her view, lack proper judicial warrants or violate state-level policies and the Constitution governing law enforcement conduct.
Sherrill’s comments come amid expanded federal immigration enforcement initiatives across multiple states, as the Trump administration continues to emphasize removal operations targeting individuals it identifies as criminal illegal aliens. Federal officials have repeatedly stated that ICE agents are conducting lawful operations in accordance with existing federal statutes and court precedents.
Critics of the governor’s remarks quickly accused her of using inflammatory language to delegitimize lawful federal law-enforcement officers. Law-and-order advocates argue that ICE agents are carrying out congressionally authorized duties and that state-level resistance undermines both public safety and the rule of law.
Supporters of Sherrill, including immigration advocacy and civil rights organizations, counter that her comments reflect growing concern about aggressive enforcement tactics and the potential erosion of constitutional protections.
In addition to her criticism of ICE, Sherrill accused President Trump of personally enriching himself through investments that bring money into the country, asserting that the money entering the country is “going straight into his bank accounts.” The governor did not present documentation or verified evidence to substantiate the claim during the interview.
A review of publicly available financial disclosures, ethics filings, and independent reporting finds no verified evidence supporting the assertion that President Trump personally profits from immigration enforcement operations as described by the governor. Analysts note that while Trump maintains private business interests, no direct link has been established between federal immigration enforcement funding and personal financial gain.
Sherrill’s remarks also revived scrutiny of her own financial history. During her tenure in Congress from 2019 through 2025, public financial disclosures indicate that Sherrill and her family experienced a substantial increase in net worth. Independent evaluations of those filings estimate that the family’s wealth increased by approximately $7 million over that period, largely due to investment growth, real estate holdings, and income associated with her husband’s financial career.
Republican critics have cited that increase in wealth as evidence of political hypocrisy, arguing that Sherrill’s unsubstantiated accusations toward the president contrast with documented gains in her own family’s finances while she served in federal office. Sherrill and her allies have previously stated that her disclosures were fully compliant with congressional requirements and that the increase in wealth was driven by market performance rather than her role as a lawmaker.
The governor’s statements Saturday are expected to further escalate political and legal tensions between New Jersey and the Trump administration, particularly as disputes over immigration enforcement authority, federal supremacy, and state resistance continue to play out in courts and legislatures nationwide.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor for Englebrook Independent News, and has been reviewed and verified for factual accuracy as of Saturday, January 24, 2026. Quotations attributed to public officials are drawn from televised remarks and publicly available transcripts. References to immigration enforcement, federal authority, and financial disclosures are based on public records and reputable reporting. Claims made without verified evidence are explicitly identified as unsubstantiated.
