Christie says second Trump term will be ‘vendetta presidency’

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is sounding the alarm, claiming that former President Donald Trump’s second term will cause “significant personnel problems” in the White House.

“First of all, it’s going to be a huge personnel problem, with people who have no business getting into senior positions in the federal government,” Christie told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos. recent interviews. “And secondly, I think we have to take him at his word.”

“This is going to be a president with a vengeance,” he added.

Part of the interview. Published on Christie’s release of his third book, “What Would Reagan Do?” — airs Tuesdays on ABC News and Good Morning America. ”

Mr. Christie put his bid for the White House on hold in January, telling Mr. Stephanopoulos that his previous support for Mr. Trump had been a “mistake.”

Christie has not formally endorsed any candidate in the race, but has been an outspoken critic of the former president since jumping into the race last June. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, President Trump’s only remaining viable challenger in the primary, said last month that she did not want or need Trump’s support.

The former governor also sought the Republican nomination in 2016 and led the former president’s transition team before taking office in 2017. In an interview Tuesday, Trump said he did not expect to win the election and that he had been intimidated by the presidency he was in charge of. He asked him to bring experienced people into his administration.

“Whether you agree with their policies or not, these are really solid, experienced people in government,” he said, adding that the second Trump administration has been a “major mess, an absolute mess.” I predicted it would happen.

“I can’t imagine what kind of staff he’ll be able to assemble,” he said.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment on Christie’s remarks.

The former president remains the clear Republican front-runner, with a significant lead in opinion polls, raising the possibility of a rematch between President Trump and President Biden in November.

Mr. Christie has openly acknowledged that his challenge to the 2024 presidential nomination was posed by blocking Mr. Trump from a second term.

But Mr. Trump frequently lashed out at Mr. Christie, sometimes making fun of his weight.

The former president had previously suggested that a second term would allow him to strike back against his enemies, but he recently walked back that statement.

“We’re going to make this country successful again, and there’s no time for retaliation,” Trump said at an event in Iowa last month. “And remember this: our ultimate reward is success.”