The top federal prosecutor in New Jersey has started an investigation into Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over a state policy that tells local police not to help federal agents with immigration enforcement.
Alina Habba, who was recently appointed by President Donald Trump as the interim U.S. attorney, announced the investigation Thursday night during an interview on Fox News.
“I want it to be a warning for everybody that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Governor Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin,” she said.
At a separate news conference on Friday, Platkin highlighted the strong cooperation between state and federal law enforcement and mentioned that courts have upheld the state’s immigration directive.
“I’m going to keep doing my job. I know the brave men, men and women of law enforcement in our state who do extraordinary work every day, will keep doing their jobs,” Platkin said.
General Matt Platkin speaks in an interviewMurphy responded to Habba’s remarks during a podcast interview Friday. He said New Jersey law enforcement focuses on crime and works with federal agencies when needed.
“If you’re a criminal in New Jersey we’re coming after you,” Murphy said. “Law enforcement in New Jersey is obsessed with bringing justice on crimes and against criminals. We’re not in the immigration business. If we need to work with the authorities, federal immigration authorities, we absolutely do.”
Murphy’s administration has supported immigrant rights. The previous attorney general issued a guideline limiting how local police in New Jersey interact with immigration officials. A bill aiming to make this rule state law is being considered but hasn’t moved forward yet.
The policy has drawn more attention since Trump returned to office. Immigration officials made arrests in Newark shortly after the inauguration, sparking criticism from advocates who questioned the governor’s response.
It’s still unclear what Habba’s investigation will focus on. In 2021, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision in favor of the Murphy administration in a case brought by counties and a sheriff who opposed the directive. That ruling kept the policy in place.
Habba took over from John Giordano, who was named U.S. ambassador to Namibia. She previously worked near Trump’s Bedminster golf club, advised his political action committee, represented him in civil lawsuits, and spoke on his behalf during his court appearances and campaign events.