Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie went after his fellow 2024 GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, for his federal indictment and lack of action as a leader.
Christie, who was an ally to Trump for much of his administration, slammed Trump's alleged actions in the federal indictment as "reckless" on Wednesday while on America's Newsroom.
HOUSE PASSES FIRST BILL TO BLOCK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GAS STOVE BAN
Trump was indicted by the Justice Department on 37 counts for charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstruction of justice.
"We should have a conversation about that and how we reform [the Department of Justice] to make it a place where they go ahead with no fear or favor, no prejudice, no partisanship. But I don't think that most Republicans support the conduct that's detailed in that indictment. It's reckless. It's harmful to American national security. And it doesn't show the kind of judgment that you need to be an effective president during difficult times," Christie said.
Christie also blasted Trump for ineffectiveness during his presidency and blamed him for Democrats winning the House in 2018 and the White House and Senate in 2020. Republicans gained a narrow majority in the House in the 2022 midterm elections.
"He's a failed leader. We gave him a Republican House, a Republican Senate, and he failed. He failed us, Bill. And he failed us by losing the House, by losing the Senate, and by turning over the White House to Joe Biden and the most liberal administration and effective administration since Jimmy Carter. Is that the type of leadership we want?" Christie said.
Christie then discussed how he was able to get elected to two terms as governor in traditionally Democratic New Jersey, specifically by doing well with independent voters. He also said he was able to work with a Democratic-controlled state legislature to govern, drawing a contrast between himself and Trump, whom he claimed was ineffective despite having a Republican-controlled House and Senate.
"Is that what we need in Washington, or do we need Donald Trump whining, moaning, and making everything about him? He doesn't care about the American people, Bill. He's putting himself first. And if you watch that speech yesterday at Bedminster, where is he talking about America? And the American people and their concerns and their needs? This next administration, if Donald Trump is president, will be all about retribution for him personally," Christie said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump is the front-runner in the Republican primary, leading all other candidates by a significant margin, per the RealClearPolitics polling average.
The former president was charged with 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, one count of withholding a document or record, one count of corruptly concealing a document or record, one count of concealing a document in a federal investigation, one count for a scheme to conceal, and one count related to alleged false statements. He appeared in federal court for his arraignment in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday.