Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday defended his wife Tammy Murphy's role in his administration when asked about the decision to spend nearly $13,000 to install a new doorway to her office.

The Democratic governor responded to a question about the spending on the first lady's office during a pair of morning TV interviews to mark his 100th day in office. Murphy called a report about the door "ridiculous."

NJ Advance Media reported earlier this month that the Murphy administration spent some $27,000 to refurbish and redecorate the governor's office -- about a block from the Statehouse, which is being rehabbed -- after he started his new job in January.

That included $13,000 on a doorway so that a conference room just down the hall from the official governor's suite could becomea private office for the first lady.

"My word," Murphy said when he was asked about the door during his appearance on WNYW Fox 5.

"That's TMZ journalism at its worst," he said, referring to the celebrity news website.

"It's just ridiculous," Murphy added.

The governor went on to defend his wife's role in the administration.

"She is an absolute treasure in the state of New Jersey," Murphy said. "I am incredibly proud of her."

"She works her tail off every single day -- for nothing, by the way -- she has deep passion and interest in a couple of policy areas," he aded.

Tammy Murphy does have a significant role in the administration. She helps craft policy and travels from Middletown to Trenton nearly every day.

The oversized role of a first spouse prompted some