Will Fight Trump’s Reckless Tariffs and War on Seniors and Defend Our Jersey Values
“Stop Trump and Protect Our Jersey Values Plan” Will Protect Hardworking Families
Gottheimer delivers remarks on his “Stop Trump and Protect Our Jersey Values Plan.”
TENAFLY, NJ — Today at a Honda dealership, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Democratic candidate for New Jersey Governor, laid out his blueprint to take on Trump’s reckless tariffs and barrage of attacks that are hurting Jersey families and seniors.
Gottheimer’s “Stop Trump and Protect our Jersey Values Plan” outlines concrete steps to shield Jersey families from the extreme policies coming from Trump and his right wing enablers. Josh will focus on shoring up protections for Social Security, reproductive freedom, gun safety, democracy, and more. He’ll expand voter registration, invest in New Jersey’s “Fight Fund,” and deliver commonsense gun safety reforms to keep our communities safe. In the wake of Trump’s “wrecking ball” approach to governing, Jersey doesn’t just deserve a fighter in Trenton—it needs one. Josh is ready to lead that fight and deliver for hardworking families.
“These tariff taxes are killing us—and Trump’s flip-flopping is killing our economy, creating mass chaos and uncertainty, especially for our seniors. It’s bad enough that the Trump Administration and extremists in Congress have declared war on seniors, going after Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. But Trump’s tariffs have sent Americans’ retirement savings into a free fall, putting even more pressure on seniors. And he’s not done! He’s already threatening new tariffs on lumber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
“Life is already unaffordable, especially here in Jersey, and Trump wants to make you pay even more? It’s BS.
“Let’s be honest, our Jersey Values are under assault, on nearly every front, from the Trump Administration. They are coming for everything from reproductive freedom to gun safety, from how we treat seniors and veterans to how we protect the environment and respect one another. Going after those are not Jersey Values. And I’m just not going to take it. As Governor, I’m going to fight them when they mess with our families and values. Trust me, I’m a Jersey guy through and through. Born and raised here. Fifth generation Jersey family.
“I love Jersey. We’ve got so much going for us. But, we have to fight to protect what we believe in. Together, I know we can live up to the promise and opportunity that our state provides.”
Josh’s 19-page “Stop Trump and Protect our Jersey Values Plan” is available HERE and the main points are summarized below. Watch his entire speech HERE.
Gottheimer speaking with veteran, Warren Williams.
Fighting Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Chaos
- One word sums up Trump’s economy: chaos. Trump’s tariffs are hurting families, seniors, and small businesses—making Jersey’s affordability crisis even worse. Trump ran his campaign on lowering costs for the American people, but costs are rising due to Trump’s reckless economic agenda. Josh has led the effort in Congress to remove Trump’s tariff power, and, as Governor, he’ll fight them in court. Josh will also work with our partners to exempt New Jersey products from reciprocal tariffs. He’ll require utility companies to add a one-line “Trump Tariff” cost indicator on utility bills, ensuring that people in Jersey can see exactly how much this federal policy is costing them each month. Josh will use every legal and legislative tool available to stop Trump from hurting Jersey families. He has already released 40 pages of detailed, expert-backed plans to lower costs and taxes for folks in Jersey—because Josh won’t let hardworking families pay for Trump’s chaos.
Fighting the War on Seniors
- Our communities are under attack by the Trump Administration: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are at risk of being cut, closing the Department of Education will put school funding in jeopardy, funding cuts at the VA are hurting our veterans, and innocent immigrants fear for their well-being. Josh will get the backs of Jersey families and help protect all these important institutions and values as Governor. He’ll aim to reduce gun violence with commonsense gun safety policies and fill the void that the dismantling of the Department of Education has left—including upholding civil rights protections and practices. And, he’ll keep right-wing extremists from banning books or censoring textbooks. Josh will protect our communities from anyone who messes with Jersey seniors or families. He’ll expand Medicaid eligibility, fund universal school meals, and reduce veteran homelessness.
Protecting Choice, Women’s Health Care, LGBTQ+ Rights
- Josh will defend fundamental freedoms for everyone in New Jersey. He will protect reproductive freedom and women’s health care, LGBTQ+ rights, and safeguard access to IVF. Josh will also ensure Jersey has the resources to fight Trump’s illegal overreach. He’ll heavily invest in Jersey’s “Fight Fund”—and he’ll expand the range of legal actions we take to protect our state, our people, and our values. He will fight antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-Asian, anti-Irish, anti-Catholic, anti-gay—and any form of hate. When Josh is Governor, he’ll fund security for synagogues and places of worship, and the antisemitism efforts in New Jersey that Trump eliminated, as well as uphold and enforce hate crime laws here in Jersey.
Protecting Jersey’s Air, Water, and Fighting Floods
- The Trump Administration is doing everything it can to dismantle environmental policies and roll back important protections. Josh will also protect science and education from political interference, and he’ll ensure Jersey families get clean air and water by investing in removing lead pipes and toxic forever chemicals from our water supply.
Protecting the Right to Vote
- Trump’s attacks on our democracy are unconstitutional and un-American. As Governor, Josh will protect our democracy by making it easier for New Jersey residents to register, vote, and have their voice heard. He’ll implement same-day voter registration, extend in-person early voting, introduce universal mail-in voting, expand automatic voter registration, and implement mobile voting for overseas military members. Josh will fight any extremist attempts to damage our democracy.
Gottheimer discusses his “Stop Trump and Protect Jersey Values Plan.”
CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER REMARKS ON “STOP TRUMP AND PROTECT OUR JERSEY VALUES PLAN,” AS DRAFTED
TENAFLY, NJ
April 14, 2025
Good afternoon. I want to thank Norm and Tenafly Honda for hosting us, and for playing such an important role in the community all of these years – dating back to 1932, when his grandfather first opened up down the street. Thanks to Mayor Zinna, Councilman Shin, Warren Williams, and Manuel Contreras for coming out and standing with me in the fight against Trump and his extremist cost-raising policies.
We’re here today to talk about what — or rather who — has probably been at the top of everyone’s mind these past few months, whether you like it or not. We’re here today to talk about how we are going to protect our families, our seniors, our state, and our country from Donald Trump’s chaos that’s wreaking havoc on our communities, our economy, and our values – our Jersey Values. As part of that, I’m announcing my plan to “Stop Trump and Protect our Jersey Values.”
Let’s start with the elephant in the room – the economic chaos Trump has unleashed in our state – especially against our families and children, seniors, and, small businesses.
Just two weeks ago, Donald Trump imposed insane-level tariffs on 86 countries, many of whom are our allies and friends. Then, last Wednesday, he issued a 90 day pause for the most extreme tariffs, while still issuing a blanket 10 percent tariff on most countries, an additional 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico, and a 145 percent tariff on China. That means price of everything from clothing to cheese to electronics to construction materials will go up big time, including a massive hit on cars, including many of those right here at this dealership. We’re talking two to three thousand dollars extra on nearly every car!
Not only is Trump not a king – he’s not even a good businessman. This is the guy who supposedly ran on lowering costs for the middle class! That’s insane. His mismanagement of the U.S. economy, and his imposition of higher taxes and higher costs on every American family, must be stopped. When I’m Governor, they will be.
Families are already struggling with higher costs, on everything from property taxes to food to utility bills and child care. The last thing we need is for new tariff tax that are already sending prices higher. Estimates from experts pegged Trump’s tariffs, which are a tax on families, at an extra $3,800 a year for the average household. $3,800 a year.
These tariff taxes are killing us—and Trump’s flip-flopping is killing our economy, creating mass chaos and uncertainty, especially for our seniors. It’s bad enough that the Trump Administration and extremists in Congress have declared war on seniors, going after Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. But Trump’s tariffs have sent Americans’ retirement savings into a free fall, putting even more pressure on seniors. And he’s not done! He’s already threatening new tariffs on lumber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
Life is already unaffordable, especially here in Jersey, and Trump wants to make you pay even more? It’s BS.
I not only will be the “Lower Taxes, Lower Costs” Governor – as Governor, I also will fight Trump’s attempts to drive both through the roof. I’ve already released two detailed, expert-backed plans to do that. And I’m fighting like hell in Congress to stop these tariffs from continuing.
There’s a lot of people in this race who say they’re going to fight Trump—but I’m the one who’s already been doing that with actual legislation in Congress to stop him, who’s not afraid to fight—Jersey-style—with anyone who messes with our families.
As Governor, I’ll work with our international trading partners and call for New Jersey-made products to be excluded from any retaliatory measures. I’m going to make sure Jersey families know exactly why their bills are going up by having businesses add a one-line “Trump Tariff” cost-indicator on their statements and receipts. That’s what is so great about Jersey—we stand up for ourselves and we don’t let bullies win. That’s what makes Jersey, Jersey. The fact that we’ll fight to defend our Jersey Values.
Let’s be honest, our Jersey Values are under assault, on nearly every front, from the Trump Administration. They are coming for everything from reproductive freedom to gun safety, from how we treat seniors and veterans to how we protect the environment and respect one another. Going after those are not Jersey Values. And I’m just not going to take it. As Governor, I’m going to fight them when they mess with our families and values. Trust me, I’m a Jersey guy through and through. Born and raised here. Fifth generation Jersey family.
I love Jersey. We’ve got so much going for us. But, we have to fight to protect what we believe in. Together, I know we can live up to the promise and opportunity that our state provides.
Today, I’m announcing my Stand Up to Trump, Protect Our Jersey Values Plan: all the things that I’ll do as Governor to protect and promote the values that make our state so great, and how I’ll fight like hell to protect them. It’s a blueprint for how, as Governor, our state will stand up to Trump to protect our economy, our freedoms, our families, our seniors, and our democracy.
First, our state was on the front lines of the revolutionary war. We fought for freedom and there’s no way in hell we’re going to let Trump take our freedoms away.
I’ll fight to protect reproductive freedom. We’ll codify the right to an abortion into our state’s constitution, so no matter what happens at the federal level or in our state in the future, families will always have the ability to choose what’s best for them. I’ll also improve access to preconception care and defend a couple’s right to seek IVF care, which has come under attack by the far right before. And I’ll make sure we have enough domestic violence shelters. New Jersey will continue to protect LGBTQ+ Americans, with resource centers, housing programs, and crisis services.
Second, we’re going to use every tool at our disposal to fight any attempt to interfere in how Jersey governs Jersey. My administration will sue to block unconstitutional laws, executive orders, and rulings that threaten our people. As Governor, I’ll double our investment in our fight fund to take on the Trump Administration in court, and I’ll work closely with the legislature to codify and enact Supreme Court precedents that protect our environment and people into New Jersey’s statutes or constitution. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a fighter, so Jersey can count on me to fight until we win.
In Jersey, we get each other’s backs. That’s why, as Governor, one of my top priorities will be to protect our people. This Administration has put Jersey families at risk over and over again. From their attacks on reproductive rights, to Elon Musk and DOGE’s slashing of the Department of Education, school meals, veteran’s services, Social Security, and more. Here’s what I’ll do as Governor to fight back and protect our communities.
Third, I’m going to fight back against the Trump Administration’s War on Seniors. I’ll do everything in my power to protect Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. In Congress, I’ve been leading the charge to prevent cuts to these three critical programs, including DOGE’s plan to eliminate Social Security field offices across the country. I’ll direct my Attorney General to sue to stop any cuts to benefits, and I’ll work tirelessly to make sure everyone eligible for Medicaid is promptly enrolled.
Fourth, I’ll fight antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-Asian, anti-Irish, anti-Catholic, anti-gay — and any form of hate. Over the last months, Elon Musk and his cronies not only made antisemitic comments and gestures, but they also gutted the program that provides critical security to synagogues and religious schools, churches, and mosques in our communities. As Governor, not only will I aggressively enforce our hate crime laws, but I will also institute a new and expanded nonprofit security grant program to protect religious institutions, schools, and help ensure religious freedom.
Fifth, the way Washington is moving, we will need to take on even more responsibility for our K-12 schools. With Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education, states will be left to fill the void, including upholding civil rights protections and practices—a key role of the federal Department of Education. And I’ll keep right-wing extremists from banning books or censoring textbooks – and we won’t do business with book sellers who allow book banning in other states. And, like I’ve said, I’ll make school breakfast and lunch universal for every student, so that kids don’t go hungry while they’re trying to learn.
Sixth, I’ll reduce gun violence and make our communities safer. During Trump’s first term, guns became the number one cause of death for children in the United States, fueled by the relaxation of commonsense gun safety laws. And, based on what’s in Project 2025, the Administration seems perfectly happy with this horrifying statistic. I do not want parents in New Jersey to be a part of the 77 percent who worry there will be a mass shooting at their children’s school. I’m proud to have helped negotiate and pass the first commonsense, bipartisan gun safety bill in thirty years in Congress. I’ll build on that work by raising the gun ownership age, eliminating ghost guns from our streets, banning ownership of assault weapons, and requiring the use of technology to make guns safer and more secure. I’ll do anything to protect our kids, which is why I’m proud to have been awarded the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction in this campaign.
Finally, I’ll protect veterans and innocent immigrants being targeted by this Administration. We need to live up to our values as a country, and that starts with taking care of the people who fight to protect us. I’ll cut red tape and boost support to programs that connect veterans with housing, so they aren’t left homeless, and I’ll continue to fight the random cuts at the VA.
I’ll also fight Donald Trump whenever he comes for innocent immigrants in mass raids or roundups. Targeting innocent families in churches and schools is unacceptable and unamerican. Folks can count on Governor Gottheimer to get their back.
Jersey also believes in democracy and the rule of law. We know that elections matter and that everyone in our state who’s eligible to vote should be able to vote. As Governor, I’ll protect our democracy from Donald Trump’s election denialism and unconstitutional attacks. I’ll push for reforms that make it easier for Jersey voters to vote and I’ll implement same day voter registration. When I’m Governor, people who are eligible to vote can show up on Election Day with the information and documentation they need to register, and cast their ballot in a matter of minutes. I’ll also expand in-person early voting and introduce universal mail-in voting, like several other states have done. And I’ll pilot a mobile voting program, like West Virginia did, for deployed and overseas military members and their families to participate in our election, too.
Last, but certainly not least, here in Jersey, we are lucky to have such great natural resources—our beaches, lakes, forests—and Springsteen. As Governor, I’ll protect our environment from politicians in Washington who want to upend decades of smart policies that keep our planet, our beaches, our lakes, and our communities clean. Jersey believes in science. I know that might be crazy controversial these days, but under my administration, we’ll make decisions guided by science.
I’ll fight to ensure everyone has clean drinking water—something I’ve focused on in Congress, where I’ve clawed back millions to northern New Jersey to eliminate lead and forever chemicals in our water. As Governor, I’ll fully invest in efforts to get clean water to every Jersey family and school. I also fought to bring billions in infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill back to Jersey, a bill that I wrote, negotiated, and helped pass with our state in mind. That money is already being put to use to build more climate resilient infrastructure and fix our roads, bridges, NJ Transit, and the Gateway Train Tunnel – and, importantly, do everything we can to protect our communities, on the shore and inland, from flooding. This is a huge issue and one we will continue to grapple with as a state.
During my campaign, I’ve laid out an ambitious agenda to cut taxes, to lower costs, and to protect our Jersey Values. I still have more to come, but these will be the pillars that I know we can get done if we work hard and fight together. I’ve won tough races before, because to me it’s not about the politics or the power—it’s about one core Jersey Value, one that I know we all hold close…. Looking out for one another. Helping the person who needs help putting food on the table. Helping the single mom who can’t afford child care. Helping the fire fighter or veteran who is struggling to get health care. Helping the senior who has a problem with her social security check. Helping the new couple who can’t afford to buy their first home. Helping the small business owner who can’t handle their absurdly high property tax bill.
Here in Jersey, we look out for one another. We live up to our Jersey Values. And that’s what I’ll do as Governor. Thank you so much. God bless our great state and country.
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