BERNARDSVILLE – Braving brutally cold conditions, more than 100 protesters gathered outside the Bernardsville Train Station on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to oppose mass layoffs and budget cuts spearheaded by former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The demonstration, part of the nationwide “No Kings on Presidents Day” movement, targeted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the agency Musk now leads, which has driven sweeping reductions in federal spending.
The protesters, many holding signs reading “Fire Elon” and “Don’t Musk with My Health Care,” condemned the sharp cuts affecting social services, veterans’ benefits, and public sector jobs. The layoffs, described as the largest in modern U.S. history, have already impacted thousands of federal employees, including some in New Jersey.
The protest also served as a direct challenge to U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-7th Dist.), with demonstrators calling on him to take a stance against the administration’s aggressive downsizing. Kean, whose district includes parts of Morris, Somerset, and Union counties, has largely avoided public comment on Musk’s role in the federal government’s restructuring.
New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, a swing seat that has flipped between parties in recent elections, is being closely watched as voters react to Trump’s policies. Protesters argue that Kean’s silence on the issue could define his position heading into the next election cycle.
Among those attending the rally were veterans concerned about cuts to VA services, as well as former federal employees recently laid off due to Musk’s cost-cutting measures. In New Jersey alone, reductions have already impacted agencies overseeing healthcare, environmental protection, and public safety programs.
The demonstration in Bernardsville was one of several across the state, with similar protests occurring in Trenton and Newark. Organizers pledged continued action, including letter-writing campaigns and additional rallies aimed at holding lawmakers accountable for their stance on federal job cuts and agency downsizing.
As the protests grow, Kean’s response—or lack of one—could become a focal point in the political landscape of New Jersey’s 7th District.
