Senator Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate, has publicly criticized Governor Josh Stein for vetoing several pieces of legislation backed by Senate Republicans. Through a series of posts on his social media account between July 21 and July 23, 2025, Berger addressed key policy disagreements regarding border protection, gun rights, and diversity initiatives in education.
On July 21, Berger commented on the recent veto of the North Carolina Border Protection Act by Governor Stein. In his post, he stated: “The North Carolina Border Protection Act puts North Carolina families first by going after criminal illegal aliens. Gov. Stein knows that and still vetoed the bill. His far-left liberal ideology is clouding logic and reality. I look forward to overriding his veto. #ncpol”
The following day, July 22, Berger turned his attention to gun legislation in the state: “Law-abiding North Carolinians shouldn’t have to ask the government for permission to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Gov. Stein thinks otherwise and vetoed our Constitutional Carry bill. That is unacceptable and the Senate Republicans will swiftly override this veto.”
On July 23, Berger discussed diversity initiatives in public education: “When @realDonaldTrump returned to the White House, he went to work to root out DEI. Here in North Carolina, the General Assembly is trying to rid our public schools of divisive DEI concepts, but Gov. Stein is doing everything he can to keep liberal ideologies in the classroom.”
Phil Berger has been a central figure in North Carolina politics as leader of the state senate since 2011 and a member since 2001. The recent legislative disputes reflect ongoing debates within North Carolina over immigration enforcement policies, gun rights expansion such as constitutional carry measures—which would allow individuals to carry concealed firearms without permits—and efforts targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools.
Governor Josh Stein’s decisions on these bills align with previous positions taken by Democratic governors nationwide who have opposed similar measures citing concerns over public safety and educational standards.
