Bramnick cautions against calls for Caldwell's resignation before the allegations are known
Republican state senator (R-21), in a post on X
“A report without any specific allegations or facts state the Lieutenant Governor is under investigation. There are calls for his resignation. In today’s world some don’t even wait for the specific allegations before they convict the accused. Justice is now second to partisanship”
Source and context
Original post
About this source
A post on Sen. Bramnick's X account, quoted by Politico's New Jersey Playbook and reproduced by InsiderNJ, written after several Republican officials called for Caldwell to resign or step aside and before the allegations were made public.
Reporting
About this source
InsiderNJ's report quoting Sen. Bramnick's post alongside the Senate Republican Leader's earlier call for Caldwell to step aside temporarily. The article's transcription differs by one word from the original post.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
NJGOP Chairwoman Christine Hanlon had called on Caldwell to resign on September 5, and Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco had said Caldwell should temporarily step down. The specific allegations had not been made public.
After the quotation
InsiderNJ reported the post as coming after Senate Republican Leader Bucco's statement that Caldwell should temporarily step down.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Dale Caldwell resign as New Jersey's lieutenant governor after the investigation's findings?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to whether Caldwell should resign, Bramnick neither defends Caldwell's conduct nor addresses any findings, which did not yet exist. He disputes the framing of the resignation calls as premature and partisan, which is a challenge to how the situation is characterized rather than a defense of the conduct or a call for resignation.
- Recorded on
- Published here
Should Dale Caldwell resign as New Jersey's lieutenant governor after the investigation's findings?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office. I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so. … These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration. The ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings. The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling. … As a former federal prosecutor, I’m committed to ensuring everyone is treated fairly. This investigation was thorough and impartial. It was initiated by the Chief Ethics Officer and conducted by a respected former state Attorney General. … The Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”Read statement
“This unnecessarily protracted and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state … The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations or offer readily identifiable witnesses who possessed more pertinent, first-hand knowledge of the events in question. … The most serious finding involves an allegation that Dr. Caldwell made an inappropriate comment during a car ride. Dr. Caldwell categorically denies making that statement. … There is a meaningful difference between making a good-faith error when analyzing the regulations and deliberately using public office for personal benefit. … The Lieutenant Governor participated in the investigative process faithfully to the limited extent permitted, expecting a genuine truth-seeking inquiry. Unfortunately, the report twists seemingly benign phrases, such as ‘executive presence,’ to imply improper motive; relies heavily and unduly on the anonymous complainant’s perceptions, characterizations, and multi-layered hearsay; and disregards the testimony of staffers who did not share those views, as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s own account.”Read statement
“It is deeply disappointing that today’s report has confirmed and substantiated the ethics complaints and harassment allegations against Lt. Gov. Caldwell. This situation has gone on for far too long, and if he doesn’t agree to resign, the Legislature should follow the necessary protocols to resolve this matter once and for all.”Read statement