Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City activist Katie Brennan, who are running together for state Assembly seats in the 32nd Legislative District, say that it’s time for Democrats to either step up to President Donald Trump (R) or step aside.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Look at what Trump was doing just this past week. Firing prosecutors, prosecuting thought crimes, threatening lawyers that challenge him. That’s straight out of the dictator’s handbook,” Brennan said in a statement.
“He keeps breaking the law in plain sight, and too many Democrats in Washington and Trenton are acting like it’s no big deal. What does Trump have to do before people in charge wake up and realize we need to fight back? If the plan is to just wait until the midterms, it’s time for Democratic leaders to step up or step aside.”
The duo stated that in the past week, Trump has openly declared that he’s “not joking” about running for a third term despite constitutional limits and also “fired two career prosecutors without cause,” including one investigating one of his donors.
They also expressed disappointment that federal funds were withheld from Columbia University unless they agree to restrict student’s free speech, as well as doing the same to the University of Pennsylvania due to a transgender athlete policy.
“Trump is a bully, plain and simple. If you give him an inch, he takes a mile. I know that New Jersey can stand up to Trump’s bullying because that’s exactly what we did in Hoboken,” Bhalla added.
“We refused to allow warrantless immigration enforcement, we enacted policies to make the city welcoming to the LGBTQ community, and we sued his friends in Big Oil for putting Hoboken in danger of climate change induced flooding. I’m proud to have joined mayors across the country to fight cuts to Medicaid and research funding to universities. When someone threatens your very existence, you have no choice but to fight back, whether it’s a playground bully, a wannabe dictator, or both.”
Brennan and Bhalla also called for Trump-proofing New Jersey’s budget by building up the state’s reserve, passing the Immigrant Trust Act to protect residents from ICE raids, and withholding state tax dollars, dollar-for-dollar, in response to any illegal federal funding cuts, similar to legislation proposed in New York (S-6915).
New Jersey sends $4,300 more in taxes per person to the federal government than the state receives back, second to only Massachusetts, according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
“States are on the front lines of defending democracy. We must be fearless and use all the power and leverage at our disposal,” Bhalla concluded.
“The silver lining here is that almost all of Trump’s power was given to him by people who didn’t put up a fight, so he’s really a paper tiger. We need to resist as hard as we can, with all the leverage we have. It’s the right thing to do, it’s what people want, and it’s a winning strategy. We have no excuses,” Brennan exclaimed.
The two Democrats are in a six-person June 10th primary, with Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca running with the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), and Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez and Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh running on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s gubernatorial ticket.
Democrats need to stop blaming everything on President Donald Trump and actually have a positive message.
Trump bashing was a failed strategy in the last election and will be again.
Trump Derangement Syndrome can be fatal.
How come Ravi and Katie haven’t lifted a finger to free Khalil? Isn’t Ravi a lawyer? Isn’t Khalil worth a simple trip to the airport? The immigration case has run out of NJ, yet there is nothing but silence from Ravi and Katie Brennan!
Ravi used to be a lawyer but then was censured in NJ and suspended in NY. He’s nothing more than an anchor around the Democrats neck now.
Americans sent a clear message to their government last November: we want less intrusion, less LGBTQIA crap, less frivolous lawsuits, less racist DEI division, and less of you overall.
One might think Ravinder Singh would take a bit of time to self-reflect on both his party and his personal massive losses.
But then again, we’re dealing with Ravinder Singh Bhalla here. LMAO.
Ravi Bhalla tells us he’s with us but he doesn’t tell the public. So it’s not clear. Will Katie Brennan publicly stand with us?
Before Mayor Ravi high tails it out of Hoboken with sights on an Assembly seat , I think he and all those running for Mayor need to address the crisis at the Hoboken Shelter . The 30 New AI cameras in Church Square Park will come in handy when the chickens come home to roost .
This past week I welcomed the kindness and professionalism extended to me by Nora Martinez DeBenedetto , Head of the Office of Constituent Services implemented by the Mayor. While waiting at City Hall , 2 staff members from Hoboken Shelter entered the court seperately , then Director of Operations “Reverand Forbes” entered.
Chief Judge Benjamin Choi presided over a push and shove incident over a nighttime staff member and Clinical Case Manager Norma Rosario . Imagine that , Hoboken internal staff fighting amongst each other.
March 4th, 2025 , police were called because a nighttime staff member had been spraying chemicals with an industrial sprayer in the air without consent or protection while women were sleeping at 12:30 am and as they were on their knees getting up from their cotts and mats at 5:43 am . As the women cried asking why is he spraying his reply was you vape out in front of the shelter why should spraying of industrial chemicals be a problem ?
Complaints for harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, assault and discrimination have been ignored in retaliation for comments left in the Hudson County View in answer to Audrey Truschke’s op-ed piece concerning more empathy for the homeless.
Executive Board Director Azadeh Brown aka Azy Brown commented that there has never been an issue with bed bugs. Later that day March 4th on LinkedIn , The Hoboken Shelter advertised they are looking for a manager for their “All Star Staff” .
Monday March 31, 9:45 pm Director Jacklyn Cherubini and “Reverand Forbes” dropped in to have a chat with the women and 5 moen who share the upstairs sleeping area and to assure everyone that housing and deposits for apartments will be paid for and coming soon.
It appears that the shelter not being held accountable has become corrupt and complacent. At present their is a warrant for a Hoboken Shelter resident who tormented a partially paralyzed resident and assaulted a senior citizen . The warrant was issued February 18th by Municipal Chief Court Justice Benjamin Choi.
It’s been promised that if the defendant is NOT found , apprehended and brought to justice with additional obstruction of justice charges this matter will become a Political Hot Potato this coming election.