Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey faced criticism for not returning to the state immediately after a significant earthquake struck on Friday, leaving residents on edge. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey, expressed his concerns on “FOX News Live” about the governor’s absence and lack of a direct address to the citizens. While Governor Murphy conducted some interviews, including one with CBS on Saturday, his physical absence from the state was noted.
Van Drew humorously remarked that perhaps Murphy’s absence was beneficial, as his presence in New Jersey often coincides with increased taxes and other costs. However, on a more serious note, Van Drew criticized the governor for attending a Democratic governors’ convention rather than addressing the emergency in his state.
During this time, New Jersey residents sought information and leadership from neighboring New York, as the earthquake’s epicenter was in Lebanon, New Jersey. Van Drew suggested that Governor Murphy should have taken time to return and reassure the people of New Jersey, personally assess the situation, and then continue with his commitments.
The congressman expressed disappointment in Murphy’s decision to stay away during the crisis, emphasizing the importance of leadership presence during emergencies. Although the earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.8, was not as severe as those in other regions like California, it was the largest quake New Jersey had experienced in nearly 150 years.
Governor Murphy later posted on X that the state’s emergency operations center was deactivated on Saturday morning, indicating no significant damage had been reported. This earthquake, felt by millions across various states, marks a notable event in New Jersey’s recent history, with residents and officials reflecting on the state’s preparedness and response to natural disasters.
