Just what we need on a day when there were more than 5,600 new COVID-19 cases – a war of words between Phil Murphy and an outspoken conservative congressman from the Florida Panhandle.

But that’s what we got starting with the governor’s 1 p.m. briefing.

Murphy quickly brought up a party last night in Jersey City held by the New York Young Republicans. The Jersey City venue – reportedly the Maritime Parc in Liberty State Park – was picked by the junior GOPers to avoid New York City pandemic restrictions.

The headliner apparently was supposed to be Sarah Palin, but she didn’t make it. So, the featured guest was Rep. Matt Gaetz, 38, who has become somewhat of a conservative darling for off-the-wall, if not juvenile, comments and stunts. Some may recall a few months ago that the congressman donned a gas mask to seemingly mock those wearing facial coverings because of the pandemic.

Murphy today showed a photo of Gaetz and his gas mask, quipping that he looked like something out of the film, Dr Strangelove, a black comedy from the era of the Cold War.

More to the point, the governor said Gaetz and his fellow Republicans “snuck” into the state to hold their gala, which, by the looks of photos, certainly violated New Jersey law. People were jammed together without masks. Indoor restaurant capacity is limited to 25 percent and the Maritime Parc is a pretty big place, so it’s hard to tell from photos if that limit was exceeded.

Still. Murphy said this type of behavior was “beyond the pale” and Gaetz was a “fool.” He also referred to him as Matt “Putz” and sounding like an old-time sheriff, said the congressman is no longer welcome in the Garden State.

Gaetz, who you know has got to love the attention, fired back on social media saying that Murphy better watch what he says when he moves to Florida “like the rest of New Jersey.”

Officially, the governor said the state is investigating the circumstances of the Young Republicans gala. Shortly thereafter, the Jersey City Health Department ordered the Maritime Parc to shut down until it came up with a plan to comply with pandemic restrictions.

Murphy’s irritation was understandable, but you also have to wonder if getting into an exchange with a rather obscure congressman (in the eyes of most people) was prudent.