Bill Pascrell dies at 87: Longtime NJ congressman and staunch Trump critic 'fought to his last breath'

LIVINGSTON, NEW JERSEY: Democratic Representative Bill Pascrell, whose political career in New Jersey spanned over four decades, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, at the age of 87.

The news of his death was announced in a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Bill Pascrell was fighting to return to public service

Bill Pascrell was well-known for his fierce criticism of Donald Trump, a trait that garnered him significant attention in his later years.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," the statement read.

Pascrell's commitment to public service was unwavering until the end. He had been actively running for reelection to his Ninth District seat in November, seeking a 15th term.

"As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved," the statement added.

"Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America," the statement continued.

How did Bill Pascrell die?

The cause of Bill Pascrell's death has not yet been determined, however, the 14-term congressman had faced health challenges in recent months.

Pascrell was hospitalized for nearly a month this summer due to a fever linked to a respiratory illness.

Although he was discharged to a rehabilitation center on August 7, he was readmitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, just four days later, according to NBC News.

Despite these struggles, Pascrell was the second-oldest member of the House of Representatives, following retiring Rep Grace Napolitano, D-Calif. The oldest member of Congress remains Sen Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who turns 91 on September 17.

Bill Pascrell was a member of influential House Ways and Means Committee

Bill Pascrell, or, William James Pascrell Jr, the grandson of Italian immigrants, began his political career with his election to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987.

He later served as the mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, before representing the state in Congress.

Pascrell was a member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, where he worked to secure funding for various projects, including nearly $17 million for infrastructure improvements, such as replacing lead pipes.

Pascrell's tenure in Congress was marked by his dedication to his constituents and his efforts to better the lives of those in his district.

Bill Pascrell's outspoken criticism of Donald Trump

Bill Pascrell gained notoriety for his sharp criticism of Donald Trump, especially on social media.

After Trump’s infamous “s***hole countries” remark in 2018, Pascrell tweeted that Trump had “made a fool of himself” on the world stage and was “showing his bigoted tendencies in ways that would make Archie Bunker blush.”

He wrote, "President needs some help- what a disgrace!"

He continued his attacks on Trump and his administration, particularly over their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pascrell accused Trump and “his soulless goons” of causing “countless dead Americans.”

"Trump and his soulless goons are trying to reduce covid testing to lower the number of reported positive cases. Responsible for countless dead Americans, trump is willing to kill even more to make himself look better. The republican party is a direct threat to your life," Pascrell wrote at the time. 

In more recent months, Pascrell was known for his daily posts on X, more often bashing Trump. He would post daily that Trump is a convicted felon. 

“Good morning. Republican Donald Trump is a convicted criminal,” often accompanied by a photo of Trump and the word: “FELON.”

On May 12, Pascrell issued a stark warning about the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency.

“Numerous news reports and Donald Trump’s own words have revealed Trump is planning to impose a dictatorship and use the military against his critics if he seizes power again,” Pascrell tweeted, alongside an image of a tank with a Trump sticker trampling over the American flag.

“I am going to post this repeatedly so no one can say they haven’t been told,” he added.

As news of Pascrell's passing spread, tributes poured in, honoring his long service to the nation and his dedication to his constituents.