Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, has accused New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy of fabricating claims following reports that Murphy was subpoenaed over allegedly sheltering an illegal alien. Cortes made this statement on X.
“lying Murphy just made the whole thing up,” said Cortes.
Governor Murphy is currently under federal scrutiny after publicly stating he was “housing” an undocumented immigrant. This led to a subpoena from federal authorities and triggered a Justice Department inquiry into whether his actions violated immigration laws. The case highlights growing tensions over state sanctuary policies, according to Matzav.
In July 2025, Murphy was officially served a federal subpoena following comments he made in February about sheltering an undocumented immigrant. This prompted interest from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and subsequent witness interviews. The Lakewood Scoop reported that this marks a rare instance of a sitting governor being investigated for potential harboring violations, reflecting the serious legal stakes involved.
There is precedent for legal action against state officials in immigration cases. In 2019, Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph faced federal charges for allegedly aiding an undocumented immigrant’s escape from court custody. This case demonstrated that state authorities are not immune from federal enforcement when immigration laws are implicated, as outlined in court records and reported by Wikipedia.
Cortes built his reputation as a media commentator and strategist after serving as Senior Spokesman for Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He later became National Spokesman for Ron DeSantis’s 2024 Political Action Committee (PAC), drawing on his 25-year finance career and Georgetown education. His frequent appearances on CNN, Fox News, and CNBC amplify his populist messaging, according to Key Speakers Bureau.
The League of American Workers, founded by Cortes in 2022, advocates for working-class Americans through media outreach, lobbying, and policy proposals. It seeks to restore real wages, challenge corporate dominance, and promote populist economic priorities. The group frames itself as a voice for “Main Street” workers, as said on its official website.
