Rep. Mikie Sherrill, now a Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, was not permitted to march with her classmates at the US Naval Academy graduation after she became entangled in a widespread cheating incident, according to a newly surfaced report.
Her name did not appear in the official program for the May 25, 1994, commencement exercises, records obtained by the New Jersey Globe confirmed.
The congresswoman explained that she was kept from participating because she refused to identify classmates who were implicated in the scandal, which affected 130 midshipmen in her year.
“I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk, but graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor,” Sherrill (D-NJ) told the outlet.
She would not authorize the release of sealed disciplinary records that could have provided further insight into why she was barred from the graduation ceremony.
The disclosure comes just as a new poll revealed a statistical tie between Sherrill and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, a sharp shift from earlier surveys that consistently showed her leading.
Despite the ceremony issue, Sherrill does appear in the Naval Academy’s 1994 yearbook.
The Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll placed both Sherrill and Ciattarelli at 43%, marking the first major survey that failed to show her ahead.
Previous polls generally had Sherrill enjoying a comfortable lead, though Ciattarelli also defied polling expectations in the 2021 race when his support was underestimated.
Sherrill’s naval service — particularly her time as a helicopter pilot — has long been a central theme of her political identity. While whispers of her involvement in the academy cheating scandal surfaced during her first congressional run in 2018, solid confirmation had been lacking until now.
The cheating episode itself was a major national story in the early 1990s. In 1992, some midshipmen acquired advance copies of an electrical engineering exam and circulated the answers. Around two dozen cadets were expelled.
CBS News reported that some participants in the probe estimated nearly 60% of the class had seen the test questions before sitting for the exam.
The fallout triggered a congressional investigation and led to the resignation of Rear Adm. Thomas Lynch, who was superintendent at the time.
The revelation about Sherrill not being allowed to walk at graduation emerged after the National Archives and Records Administration handed over some of her military records to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Ciattarelli.
“The Trump administration blatantly violated federal law by releasing Mikie Sherrill’s unredacted personal military records to an agent of the Ciattarelli campaign — which were then distributed and weaponized by Jack Ciattarelli,” said Sean Higgins, communications director for Sherrill’s campaign.
“We are calling on Jack Ciattarelli and the Trump administration to immediately stop illegally distributing Mikie Sherrill’s military files, with protected personal information like her Social Security Number, and we will explore appropriate legal action.”
CBS first reported that the materials included unredacted details such as Sherrill’s Social Security number.
A National Archives spokesperson conceded that “the technician should NOT have released the entire record” and said an internal review is underway.
“I support a criminal investigation into the unauthorized and illegal release of Mikie Sherrill’s record,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Thursday. “Mikie Sherrill is a patriot and a hero who has served this country.”
“It’s outrageous that Donald Trump and his administration and political hacks connected to them continue to violate the law, and they will be held accountable.”
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin also condemned the incident.
“The Trump administration’s decision to release her unredacted military personnel files to her opponent’s campaign, including her Social Security number, is yet another example of Donald Trump and the Republicans illegally weaponizing the federal government for political purposes,” he said.
Sherrill served in the Navy from 1994 until 2003 before transitioning into a career as a prosecutor. Earlier, in 1991, she was awarded an Achievement Medal for saving the life of a fellow Naval Academy student.
{Matzav.com}
Mikie is a typical double talking lying democrat. She should not be allowed to steal the elections.
“A Midshipman shall not lie, steal, cheat, or tolerate those who do.”
These are the core values taught at every United States Service Academy on the very first day that the midshipmen / cadets report for their basic training “boot camp”.
I had the high privilege and honor of serving at the United States Military Academy at West Point for 8 years, and I can tell you that if any cadet would have pulled this stunt at West Point, he/she would not have graduated or be commissioned. They would be lucky not to be sent to the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.