From Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. <[email protected]>
Subject Chairman’s Corner: Statewide Town Hall, Trump’s Tariffs, Senator Booker Making History, and More
Date April 4, 2025 9:06 PM
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͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌The New Jersey Democratic Party is made up of political leaders that drive progressive change across the Garden State. If you’d like to unsubscribe, click here. [[link removed]]

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Democrat,

Our statewide town hall was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 800 folks signed up as Senator Cory Booker, Governor Phil Murphy, DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta, Chairman LeRoy Jones, and seven members of our congressional delegation came together (Congressman Frank Pallone, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congressman Donald Norcross, Congressman Rob Menendez, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, Congressman Herb Conaway and Congresswoman Nellie Pou) to answer the questions that matter most to New Jerseyans. Special thanks to our moderator, A’Dorian Murray Thomas, Essex County Commissioner and Chair of the NJDSC Women’s Caucus.

From immigration to Social Security to the future of DOGE, no topic was off the table. This was more than just a conversation— THIS was democracy in action. And in a time when so many feel unheard, we proved that our leaders are listening.

This wasn’t just about reaching those in deep-blue districts; it was about engaging every corner of our state, from the most progressive strongholds to the reddest battlegrounds. Our elected officials didn’t just speak but they connected with the attendees. They reminded us that this fight is NOT won in conference rooms or campaign war rooms; it is won in our communities , our homes, and our everyday conversations.

So to every attendee who took the time to join us, we at the NJDSC thank you.

And to every attendee who showed up, asked the tough questions, and reinforced our movement—thank you. Now, as Malcolm Kenyatta urged, let’s take this momentum and bring those closest to us into the fight. The work continues.

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As if we weren’t already exhausted by tariffs, Trump’s latest round [[link removed]] marks a dramatic escalation—slapping heavy levies on over 100 trading partners. While he claims this is about boosting domestic production, the reality is a looming economic strain on American consumers and manufacturers . Prices are set to rise, supply chains will be disrupted, and global retaliation is almost inevitable. Instead of fixing trade imbalances through diplomacy, Trump has chosen economic isolationism —sending shockwaves through markets and further destabilizing America’s standing in global trade.
And once again, it will be the average American who will foot the bill.

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Claim:
Trump has repeatedly suggested he could run for a third term, recently stating in an NBC News interview that there are “methods” to bypass the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. He also claimed that “a lot of people” want him to stay in office beyond eight years.

The Truth:
This is legally impossible without a constitutional amendment. The 22nd Amendment explicitly limits presidents to two terms, and changing it would require overwhelming support from Congress and state legislatures, an unlikely scenario. Trump’s vague comments about “methods” to stay in power lack any legal basis, and when pressed for details, he refused to elaborate. While some of his allies have floated ideas like a VP-runaround strategy, where Vice President JD Vance could hypothetically run and then resign for Trump to take over, such a maneuver would face enormous legal and political hurdles.

Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have dismissed Trump’s remarks, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling them “probably just having some fun” and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise saying they were meant to “get people talking.” However, Trump’s history of testing democratic norms means these statements shouldn’t be ignored outright.

Impact on New Jersey:
New Jerseyans deserve leaders who respect democracy, not those who casually entertain the idea of dismantling constitutional limits. While Trump’s remarks may be political theater, they serve a purpose: keeping him in the spotlight, distracting from other controversies, and signaling to his base that rules don’t apply to him. Make no mistake—while this may appear to be a joke, this administration has followed through on its threats before, and this ‘joke’ should not be taken lightly. The Constitution is clear, Trump cannot run for a third term. If he or his allies attempt to push this further, it’s a direct attack on the democratic principles that protect our republic.

Click HERE [[link removed]] to learn the facts on Trump’s latest false claim.

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Senator Cory Booker shattered a nearly 70-year-old Senate record—not in obstruction, but in defiance of a presidency that demands resistance. His 25-hour speech wasn’t just a marathon of endurance; it was a call to arms for Democrats, a rallying cry that business as usual cannot continue under Trump. Senator Thurmond’s infamous record, set in opposition to civil rights, has now been broken by a Black senator standing against an administration that threatens democracy itself. Booker’s speech wasn’t about passing a bill; it was about awakening a fighting spirit, proving that Democrats can and must take bold action. As he spoke through the night and into the next day, his colleagues stood by him, his words reached millions , and he single-handedly showed that Democrats are listening. Democratic voters have demanded bold action, and Senator Booker delivered.

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In addition to our senator’s great speech marathon, last week we called on you to help keep Wisconsin’s Supreme Court fair by stopping Elon Musk’s attempt to buy the seat with his handpicked candidate. This week, we celebrate that victory —congratulations to Justice Susan Crawford ! We were proud to have New Jerseyans phonebanking Wisconsin voters. Every call, every conversation helped secure a crucial win for democracy. And let’s be honest, you can all take pride in knowing you helped ruin Musk’s day.

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If you want to stay engaged and hear directly from our Democratic congressional delegation, make sure to check out their upcoming town halls.
For Congressman Conaway’s town hall on April 16th in CD-3, CLICK HERE. [[link removed]]

For Senator Booker’s town hall tomorrow in Bergen County at 3:30 PM, CLICK HERE. [[link removed]]

Additionally, we invite you to participate in the Hands Off Protests State-wide [[link removed]] protest. It is now the largest single day of action since Trump was sworn in for a second presidential term and includes over 1,000 events nationwide. In solidarity against the Trump administration, multiple International events are also taking place, including in London, Madrid and Zurich.

The best way to find out what your representative is doing and when they are holding a town hall is to stay updated on their websites, which are constantly refreshed with news and events. Use the link below to find your representative to stay involved because democracy doesn’t just happen every election day, it happens every day.

Find your Congressional representative HERE. [[link removed]]

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. NJ Dems Coalitions is hosting a variety of virtual events from Decoding Trump’s Executive Orders on Trans Rights [[link removed]] (April 29) and the Department of Education [[link removed]] (May 8) to understanding the New School Board Voting Rights in Newark [[link removed]] (April 10), check out all of our upcoming events here. [[link removed]]
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