The Chris Christie era in New Jersey is over.
Gov. Phil Murphy was sworn in on Tuesday and quickly distanced himself from his predecessor by laying out an ambitious progressive agenda while rejecting President Trump’s “dark belief” for America.
Murphy, 60, said New Jersey with his swearing in has “turned to a new page” and embarked “on writing a new chapter in our history.”
Committing to a “stronger and fairer” state, he said he will ​defy ​Washington’s “all-out assault on New Jersey.”
“We will resist every move from President Trump and a misguided congressional leadership that would worsen income inequality; or divide families or deny access to college for our Dreamers; or defund essential infrastructure; or gut health care for our children, seniors, and the working poor; or provide a tax windfall to giant corporations and billionaires at the expense of our working and middle-class families,” ​Murphy, who replaced the two-term Christie, said to rousing applause.
“And we must reject President Trump’s dark belief of an America in decline and in carnage​,” he added.​
​Going off script, ​he addressed Trump’s White House comments from last week when he reportedly referred to Haiti, Africa and El Salvador as “s–thole countries.”
​​​”It is leadership that has made our country a place where immigrants still come in hope of a better future,” adding “and that includes from Haiti and from the continent of Africa.”​
T​he former Wall Street executive and US ambassador to Germany under former President Obama laid out a ​zealous legislative agenda.
He pledged to begin the process to legalize marijuana and criminal justice reforms as well as seek bills to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, provide earned sick leave for workers, tear down barriers to voting and strengthen gun laws.
“And, I promise you now that they will be met with a signing ceremony instead of a veto pen​,” he said. ​
“We don’t have to wait to make our economy stronger and fairer, to attack income inequality, and to protect and grow our middle class​,” Murphy continued. “​​That’s why, later today, in one of my first official acts, I will sign an executive order promoting equal pay for women.​”​
​Murphy, who defeated Christie’s lieutenant governor Kim Guadagno in November, also reserved some praise for his predecessor.
​”​There is much in your body of work from which to choose, but, in particular, your work to save lives from the epidemic of opioid addiction is a legacy worth applauding and continuing, and I intend to do so​,” he said. ​
Murphy was joined by his wife and four children at the swearing-in ceremony in Trenton. His Inaugural Ball will take place Tuesday evening at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.