Phil Murphy and JB Pritzker Aim to Be Champions of Progressivism
Phil Murphy seems to think of himself as the Dirty Harry of New Jersey.
This past weekend, the self-styled tough guy from Jersey boldly told the Trump administration and border chief Tom Homan: “Go ahead, make my day.”
Then he promptly retreated behind his spokesperson.
In an interview with Blue Wave New Jersey, a progressive grassroots group, Murphy proudly claimed that he and the First Lady were harboring an undocumented immigrant in the room above their garage in Middletown.
“Tammy and I were discussing—without going into too much detail—there is someone in our larger circle whose immigration status isn’t quite resolved yet. And we thought, why not let her stay at our home above the garage?” he stated.
“And good luck to the feds trying to come and get her,” he further challenged—taunting the Trump administration while safely nestled within the progressive enclave.
Murphy is trapped in a Hollywood illusion: portraying himself as an ICE-fighting hero with an imaginary migrant in need of rescue. However, that film will never hit theaters, as he can only take on the role of Bulls–t Man.
His spokesman was quick to clarify, asserting that Murphy’s remarks were “misinterpreted” and that “no one has ever lived in the home” under those conditions.
Murphy, who hails from Massachusetts, is no stranger to embodying that archetypal Jersey bravado, likely learned from binge-watching “Real Housewives” reruns. Last August, he puffed up as “Born in the USA” played at the Democratic National Convention’s state roll call.
“Everyone, I’m Governor Phil Murphy. We’re from Jersey, baby. And you’re not,” he proclaimed.
Err… alright then. He then touted New Jersey’s commitment to women’s rights—before handing the mic to a man in a purple dress who announced he uses she/her pronouns.
However, Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive, faces competition for the role of a self-styled street warrior in the statehouse.
Democratic Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, issued a forceful warning to Trump last November, stating, “I want to remind you that a happy warrior is a warrior. You come for my people, you come through me.”
Almost two weeks ago, Pritzker became embroiled in a significant example of what some on the left label as “disinformation”—a term they often assert is a threat to democracy.
A rumor circulated in Chicago claiming that ICE had attempted to raid Hamline Elementary School but was refused entry by a principal who declared, “We will not open our doors for ICE.”
Pritzker eagerly amplified the incorrect narrative on X.
“After a week of Republicans spreading fear and chaos, the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school,” Pritzker posted on X. “Targeting children and tearing families apart is cruel and un-American.”
Except it wasn’t ICE—who are focusing on apprehending actual criminals—but rather the Secret Service, responding to a neighborhood threat. Oops.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin highlighted that no one in Pritzker’s office verified the facts with law enforcement before sharing the falsehood. Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s the Democrats who are “sowing fear and chaos.”
As long as these tales keep the activists engaged and inflamed, that seems to be the goal.
Both Murphy and Pritzker are not projecting a message of strength, but instead one implying that laws can be flouted—by virtuous leaders like them who selectively obey rules and brazenly oppose others’ enforcement.
They will do anything to serve their chosen narrative, whether creating a fictional migrant in a garage or propagating untruths about law enforcement.
Both narratives are riddled with inconsistencies.
