TRENTON – In an historic moment for the Garden State, Governor-elect Phil Murphy this morning formally nominated Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal – a Sikh American – to serve as the state’s next attorney general.

“Our state needs someone with a steel backbone who will stand up to President Trump to protect the values of our state and all 9 million of our residents,” Murphy told reporters at a Statehouse press conference, standing beside Grewal, who is poised to become the first South Asian attorney general in New Jersey history and the first Sikh to serve as an attorney general in American history.

“I will work tirelessly,” Grewal – a self-described proud son of New Jersey and a registered Democrat – promised Murphy.

“I want to thank the governor-elect for this incredible opportunity,” he added. “Today the American Dream is alive and well.”

Murphy reveled in the moment, first reported by InsiderNJ.

“We are turning the page in New Jersey and I am honored to have Gurbir. There should be no mistake. He is a proud son of immigrants. His story is the American story,” said the Governor-elect.

Grewal is a Georgetown University grad, who attended law school at the College of William and Mary, and built his career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as Bergen County Prosecutor, where he oversees 3,000 law enforcement officers and 70 municipalities.

“The office of Attorney General is more important today than at any other point in our history,” said Murphy.

He ticked off the challenges.

Securities fraud

Hacking

Victimizing of New Jersey consumers

“Gurbir has real world experience shutting down and prosecuting criminal operations,” Murphy said, citing his work to stem to the opioid epidemic.

“He’s equally committed to compassionate outcomes,” the governor-elect added.

Murphy made clear his selection of Grewal as a bulwark against the presidency of Donald J. Trump.

“In light of all that is being thrown at us by the president, we need an attorney general unafraid to join fellow states to protect all our residents; our immigrant communities and DREAMERS, the Affordable Care Act, and to keep sensitive data away from people bent on [weakening] voting rights, protecting our air and water from a hostile EPA, and fighting to protect our gun laws.”

Murphy described an AG’s Office under Grewal’s reign that would be fully independent, “without political interference from governor’s office.

“I’m proud to have him join out cabinet because of his commitment to public service and ensuring equal protection under the law,” the governor-elect added.