New Jersey sheriff caught on tape complaining about 'the blacks' and Sikh AG's 'turban': report

In a leaked audio recording, Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino of New Jersey can be heard making several racist remarks about black people and state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who happens to be the first Sikh to hold the office.

WNYC, which obtained the recording, reports that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has called on Saudino to resign because of the recording, which includes disparaging references to "the blacks" and Grewal's "turban."

In particular, Saudino can be heard bitterly complaining about a speech that Murphy gave endorsing reform of the criminal justice system earlier this year.

"He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state... better criminal justice reform," the sheriff said. "Christ almighty, in other words let the blacks come in, do whatever the f*ck they want, smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don't worry about it. You know, we'll tie the hands of cops."

Saudino also criticized Murphy for his decision to appoint Grewal as attorney general, which he considered to be a token diversity appointment rather than an appointment made based on qualifications.

"He did that because of the turban," Saudino said.