Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) began her run as head of New Jersey with a combative speech bashing President Donald Trump and pledging to use her new role to fight him.
After being sworn in on a copy of the New Jersey Constitution, Sherrill laid into the president, tapping into the state’s historical role in the Revolutionary War for fuel. She argued that Trump was a tyrant and had violated the spirit of the founders through many of his policies, including the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which she portrayed as a standing army.
“He has kept among us in times of peace standing armies without the consent of our legislatures,” Sherrill said. “This election proved that the people of New Jersey recognize the parallels, that we see a president illegally usurping power, unconstitutionally enacting a tariff regime to make billions for himself and his family.”
She then portrayed her own election as a rare glimpse of hope after the Democrats’ defeat in November 2024.
“On Nov. 4, the people of New Jersey once again gave the nation a glimmer of something it hadn’t felt in months: hope,” she said.
“Two hundred fifty years after Gen. Washington crossed the Delaware into the promised land, I am proud that once again, New Jersey is leading the way,” she continued.
Sherrill focused many of her critiques on ICE and Trump’s immigration policies, positioning the state as a major resister of Trump’s deportation plans.
“We refuse to be silent as doors are shut on too many of our friends and neighbors,” she said.
“Too many children and seniors who don’t have enough to eat, people who work too hard and still can’t get ahead, communities living in fear, children who are afraid that their parents will disappear in an ICE raid while they are at school,” Sherill said.
The new governor repeatedly attempted to contrast herself with Trump, even bashing his expansion of the White House to include a new ballroom.
“I hope, New Jersey, you remember me when you open your electric bill, and it hasn’t gone up another 20%,” she said. “I can promise you, it won’t be because I waste your money on a ballroom at Drumthwacket.”
Among the 2,000 people in attendance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center was her former roommate and fellow 2025 victor, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who was sworn in three days prior. Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also attended.
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Democrats breathed a sigh of relief on Nov. 4, 2025, when Sherrill handily defeated her Republican rival, proving that the state, which nearly went for Trump in 2024, was still a reliable Democratic redoubt.
Her first executive orders were less controversial than Spanberger’s, who shocked Republicans by vastly liberalizing criminal punishments — one of the Democrats’ least popular areas. Sherrill’s first six executive orders focused on affordability, cost of living, healthcare, and establishing ethical standards for her administration.
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