As New Jersey prepares for a change in leadership following the 2025 gubernatorial election, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin finds his tenure defined by a mix of ambitious policy initiatives, significant financial recoveries for the state, and mounting legal and political challenges. Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy and confirmed by the State Senate in 2022, Platkin has served as the state’s 62nd attorney general during a period of heightened national debate over public safety, civil rights, and the role of state government.
Platkin leads the Department of Law and Public Safety, overseeing thousands of law enforcement officers and hundreds of attorneys responsible for everything from criminal prosecutions to consumer protection and civil rights enforcement. Throughout his time in office, he has positioned the attorney general’s role as both a legal authority and a policy driver, advancing initiatives that have drawn attention well beyond New Jersey.
One of Platkin’s most visible efforts has been in the area of gun safety. Early in his tenure, he established the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement office, a first-of-its-kind unit focused on civil litigation against members of the firearms industry. The initiative signaled a shift toward holding manufacturers and sellers accountable through the courts rather than relying solely on criminal enforcement.
Public safety and mental health response have also been central to his agenda. Under Platkin’s leadership, the ARRIVE Together program expanded statewide, pairing law enforcement officers with mental health professionals to respond to behavioral health crises. By late 2025, the program served a majority of New Jersey residents and reached a milestone of thousands of crisis interventions without reported serious injuries, a statistic frequently cited by supporters as evidence of its effectiveness.
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Platkin launched a Reproductive Rights Strike Force aimed at safeguarding access to reproductive healthcare in New Jersey. The move reinforced the state’s position as a haven for reproductive rights while placing the attorney general’s office squarely in the center of a national legal and political debate.
Platkin also broke new ground in the intersection of civil rights and technology. His office advanced regulations targeting algorithmic discrimination, particularly in hiring and housing, establishing what has been described as the nation’s most comprehensive framework for addressing bias embedded in artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems.
Financial enforcement has been another defining feature of Platkin’s tenure. The attorney general’s office announced hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries through civil actions, including a landmark settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield over allegations of contract breaches and false claims. Additional settlements tied to the opioid crisis, consumer safety, and corporate accountability brought substantial funds back to the state and reinforced Platkin’s emphasis on aggressive civil enforcement.
At the same time, Platkin’s approach has drawn sharp criticism and legal resistance. In late 2025, his office faced scrutiny before the U.S. Supreme Court over investigative subpoenas issued to a pregnancy resource center, raising constitutional questions about free speech and donor privacy. The case placed Platkin at the center of a national conversation about the limits of state investigative authority.
Tensions have also emerged between the attorney general’s office and elements of the New Jersey State Police, with union leaders and lawmakers challenging investigations into internal practices and raising concerns about oversight. These disputes spilled into the Legislature, where proposed reforms and even impeachment resolutions underscored the depth of opposition among some critics.
Adding to the pressure, federal authorities announced an investigation into New Jersey’s immigration-related law enforcement directives, examining whether state policies improperly limit cooperation with federal agencies. The inquiry has placed Platkin and the Murphy administration under increased national scrutiny.
Despite courtroom setbacks in several high-profile corruption cases and bipartisan criticism during legislative hearings, Platkin has continued to advance initiatives related to election security, consumer protection, and public benefits. During the 2025 general election, his office coordinated responses to threats at polling locations and implemented protective measures aimed at preventing voter intimidation.
With Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill set to appoint a successor, Platkin’s tenure is approaching its conclusion at a moment of both accomplishment and controversy. Supporters point to expanded mental health response, historic financial recoveries, and strengthened civil rights protections. Critics counter with legal losses, constitutional challenges, and concerns about the scope of his authority.
As New Jersey’s political landscape continues to evolve, Platkin’s record will likely remain a subject of debate within the state’s broader politics conversation. His time as attorney general reflects the complexities of governing in an era where legal authority, public policy, and political accountability increasingly intersect.
