The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: NJ Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill (Extended)
Date: December 6, 2025

Overview

In this insightful and dynamic episode, Stephen Colbert welcomes New Jersey's Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill for an extended conversation. The discussion ranges from her recent landslide election win and vision for the state, to reflections on military ethics and a harrowing (but hilarious) personal story about delivering her own baby in a New York City cab. Sherrill draws upon her experience as a Navy helicopter pilot and Congresswoman to share candid takes on public service, leadership, and confronting federal policy challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mikie Sherrill's Election Win

• The Road to Victory
  • Stephen Colbert notes Sherrill’s steady polling but emphasizes the impressive margin of her win:

    “You won by 56.9% to 42.5%, which is 14.4 points, which… political experts call a curb stomping.” (05:11)

  • Sherrill attributes the win to hard work, listening to constituents, and offering “a different vision than what is being presented by the president in Washington” (05:44).
  • She emphasizes the importance of fighting for people, especially in “scary times,” and the need for “real leadership" (06:02).

Resisting Federal Policies

• Standing Up to Washington
  • Colbert asks how her stance against Trump-era policies will evolve as governor.
    Sherrill responds:

    “There are areas where I really need the federal government to start performing better... But that doesn’t mean in any way, shape or form hiding or ducking or not standing up against those things that are so wrong." (06:20)

  • She highlights New Jersey’s significant financial contribution to the federal government ($70 billion surplus sent) and frustration over federal underperformance in areas like SNAP, healthcare, and education (07:37).
• On Withholding Federal Taxes
  • Responding to a Jon Stewart interview, Sherrill discusses the idea—though legally challenging—of withholding federal taxes if benefits to New Jersey are cut:

    “We are going to work incredibly hard to test that and to take them to court if they’re not running these programs… to claw back as much federal money as possible...” (08:22)

  • She is adamant about prioritizing New Jersey’s interests above political convenience.

Military Ethics & Leadership

• The Caribbean Bombings
  • Colbert brings up current controversies surrounding US military action in the Caribbean and the need for Congressional oversight (08:59).
  • Sherrill is blunt:

    "As you see the second bombing that took place when people were in the water struggling, not a threat, that would be a war crime. It looks like it's a war crime to me as somebody who served.” (09:24)

  • She calls such actions “a stain on our honor” and discusses the burden it places on U.S. military personnel to uphold the Constitution, even at risk of career consequences (09:56–10:52).
• Training to Refuse Illegal Orders
  • Colbert raises the difficult question of how soldiers discern legal from illegal orders. Sherrill details her own training at the Naval Academy, referencing the My Lai massacre, and underscores the expectation that “following orders” is not a shield against war crimes (12:02–12:23).
  • She criticizes current attacks on constitutional training in the military, particularly from Republicans (12:02).

Memorable Personal Moment: Delivering a Baby in a Cab

• Delivering Her Own Baby
  • Colbert sets up the story as “even more badass” than Sherrill’s piloting exploits (13:23).
  • Sherrill recounts, with humor and humility, how she made fun of the chapter “How to Deliver Your Own Baby” in a pregnancy book—only to find herself doing just that on the way to Mount Sinai hospital (13:47–14:05).
  • She describes the cab ride through Central Park, her husband’s attempts to help, and ultimately a stranger from a bus stop assisting with the delivery (15:53–16:54).
    Notable exchange:

    “So, a lady who was at the bus stop… said, you know, can I help? And I’m like, sure, you know, catch. So I have this baby.” (16:54)

  • When her husband returns, bemused that she hadn’t followed his advice not to push:

    “[He] looks down and he looks at me again and he goes, I thought I told you not to push.” (17:37)

Notable Quotes

• On Election Approach:

  “I think fighting hard for people, listening to people on the ground, and delivering on a different vision than what is being presented by the president in Washington…”
  — Mikie Sherrill (05:44)

• On Standing Up to Federal Neglect:

  “We send $70 billion more to the federal government than we get back... My job is to fight for New Jersey. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do as governor.”
  — Mikie Sherrill (07:37–08:59)

• On Military Ethics:

  “…that would be a war crime. It looks like it's a war crime to me as somebody who served. And what's problematic about that is… this country… is operating in this way. It's a stain on our honor.”
  — Mikie Sherrill (09:24)

• On Refusing Illegal Orders:

  “The excuse was I was following orders. And that’s not an excuse for committing war crimes… That’s the demand of anyone who puts on the uniform.”
  — Mikie Sherrill (12:23)

• On Childbirth in a Cab:

  “So, a lady who was at the bus stop… said, can I help? And I’m like, sure, you know, catch. So I have this baby."
  — Mikie Sherrill (16:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:23] Mikie Sherrill joins Stephen Colbert
• [05:01] Discussion on election victory and strategy
• [06:20] Approach to governing and standing up to the federal government
• [07:37] New Jersey's federal contributions and federal program frustrations
• [08:22] Withholding federal taxes and legal challenges
• [09:15] Oversight of US military actions in the Caribbean
• [12:02] Soldier training on legal versus illegal orders
• [13:23] The “badass” baby-delivery story begins
• [15:53] Water breaks, cab drama, and delivering the baby
• [17:37] Humorous conclusion to the baby story and wrap-up

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Stephen Colbert’s signature blend of wit and sincerity, providing both sharp political critiques and lighthearted personal storytelling. Sherrill responds with a mix of earnestness, humor, and deep conviction, offering thoughtful analysis alongside memorable personal anecdotes.

This conversation is a must-listen for those interested in politics, public service, military ethics, and—unexpectedly—adventurous parenting.