NJ Gov. Phil Murphy criticized for not returning to state after historic earthquake leaves residents shaken

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy faced criticism for not returning to the state following a historic earthquake that left residents rattled. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew expressed disappointment on “FOX News Live” that Murphy did not issue an on-camera address to residents, despite conducting interviews with media outlets. Van Drew highlighted that residents had to look to New York leadership for guidance during the natural disaster, rather than their own governor.

The earthquake, measuring at least 4.8 magnitude, struck near Lebanon, New Jersey, causing widespread concern. Van Drew emphasized the importance of leaders being present during times of crisis and expressed disappointment that Murphy did not prioritize reassuring residents of their safety.

Despite the lack of a direct response from Murphy, the state’s emergency operations center was deactivated on Saturday morning, with no major reports of damage to structures or infrastructure. The earthquake, which was felt by over 42 million people in 14 states, triggered more than two dozen aftershocks.

Fox News reached out to Murphy’s office for comment on the situation. The rare earthquake rocked the tri-state area, marking one of the largest seismic events in New Jersey in nearly 150 years. Residents are now looking for leadership and reassurance as they recover from the unexpected natural disaster.