Trump Administration Faces Scrutiny Over Illegal Release of NJ Rep Sherrill’s Military Records Amid Election

The Trump administration has been accused of illegally releasing unredacted military personnel records of New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill to a Republican operative linked to gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. The leaked documents contained sensitive private information including Sherrill's Social Security number and family details, prompting bipartisan calls for a federal investigation. Sherrill's campaign condemned the leak as a weaponization of the federal government for political purposes and threatened legal action against Ciattarelli's campaign. The National Archives acknowledged the error, citing a failure to follow standard procedures in responding to a FOIA request. The controversy coincides with renewed scrutiny of Sherrill's Naval Academy history, where she was punished in a cheating scandal in 1994. Top Democrats, including New Jersey's congressional delegation, have condemned the release as a serious privacy violation and are demanding accountability.