Rep. Sherrill: Trump Isn’t ‘Leaving Willingly’

As Donald Trump continues to undermine the rule of law, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) has a stark warning for all of us: “He’s not leaving willingly.” 

Sherrill, the Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, sat down with Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias to discuss why it’s important for the Democratic Party to band together ahead of 2028. 

“Some people, I think, are sort of treating this like normal times,” she said. “I would say that’s a wrong-headed look at what’s going on in the world.” 

Sherrill’s experience on the House floor on Jan. 6, 2021 shapes her view of this democratic crisis. As she explained, “He’s not leaving. He’s not leaving willingly.” 

She believes it’s going to take more than the end of his second term in 2029 to get rid of Trump, and that her Republican colleagues in the House certainly won’t be any help when time comes. They have made it clear they would rather serve Trump than serve democracy. 

He’s not leaving. He’s not leaving willingly.

Asked if the House GOP members realize what they’re supporting is wrong, Sherrill had a simple response: “You’d have to basically have a lobotomy to not know it’s wrong.” 

She explained that some House Republicans have found ways to excuse their bad behavior — if it wasn’t them, someone worse would be in their seat. Sherrill disagrees. 

“If you’re doing the wrong thing then you’re part of the problem,” she said. Sherrill had a simple message for the House GOP: “Quit. It’s time.” 

Republicans in the House aren’t the only people aiding Trump’s mission. Sherrill’s GOP opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, has been quick to bend the knee. As Trump throws out the rules of federalism and threatens to send armies into major cities, it’s increasingly important to have trusted governors protecting states, Sherrill argued. 

“Every time he [Trump] comes here he gets his little butt to Bedminster,” Sherrill said of her opponent, referring to Trump’s New Jersey golf club. “At every opportunity he has tied himself closely to Donald Trump. And at every opportunity he has really failed to ever stand up for the people of New Jersey.”

Sherrill’s race will help set the tone for the midterms, and send a clear message to the Republican Party that the American people aren’t going to settle for a dictatorship. 

She explained that her election will ensure we’re “keeping New Jersey blue but also setting the table for the future of the Democratic Party.”