Lucas Jackson/Reuters
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called on Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino to resign Thursday after he was reportedly caught on tape making racist remarks about black people and the state’s Sikh attorney general. WABC reports Saudino criticized Murphy’s inauguration speech in the recording, saying certain reforms he mentioned would cater to the black community and “tie the hands of cops.” “He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state... better criminal-justice reform,” Saudino reportedly said. “Christ Almighty, in other words, let the blacks come in, do whatever the [expletive] they want, smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don’t worry about it.” Saudino also reportedly said Sikh State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal only got his job because of “the turban.” Murphy called the comments “utterly unacceptable” and said “there is no choice as to the step that needs to be taken.” Later Thursday, Saudino released a statement apologizing for the comments. “Going forward, I will continue to treat everyone with the respect and dignity that is deserved by all and to be diligent in my duty to protect and defend the rights of all our residents,” he said.