Kocew News 
Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, appeared on ABC over the weekend and criticized Donald Trump as he pursues the GOP nomination for the 2024 election. Christie believes that a direct confrontation with the former president is necessary. Speaking to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Christie advised Trump to be cautious with his words in order to avoid further criminal liability. He emphasized that Trump is a criminal defendant and needs to act wisely in this regard.
However, it is unlikely that Trump will heed this advice. Trump has taken an aggressive stance, using indignation and accusing prosecutors in New York and Washington DC of weaponizing politics. He has been charged with more than 70 criminal counts in three separate cases: the alleged hush payments to Stormy Daniels, attempts to influence the outcome of the 2020 election, and the alleged illegal retention of classified materials from the White House. Trump has even targeted the Department of Justice’s special counsel, Jack Smith, and threatened retaliation against those involved in investigations against him. As a result, the agency has tried to limit his speech on social media and other platforms regarding the ongoing criminal case.
Chris Christie’s unique position as a 2024 contender and rival to Trump stems from his previous consideration as Trump’s attorney general after the 2016 election. He also assisted Trump in preparing for debates against Joe Biden in 2020. Now, he is vying for the GOP nomination against his former ally, citing Trump’s post-election actions as disqualifying.
In an interview with Pod Save America in April, Christie referred to Trump as a “one-man crime wave” and stated that each indictment was a result of his own actions. While acknowledging that prosecutorial discretion can be questionable, Christie argued that the underlying conduct should be considered regardless of one’s agreement or disagreement with prosecutors.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in all the criminal cases filed against him. However, his legal team reportedly expects further charges to be filed in the coming days by prosecutors in Georgia investigating the Trump campaign’s alleged pressure on local officials to overturn the state’s lawful 2020 election results.
In conclusion, Chris Christie’s criticism of Donald Trump and his pursuit of the GOP nomination highlights the ongoing tension within the Republican party. With Trump refusing to back down and Christie emphasizing the need for caution, the battle for the nomination is expected to become even more intense.
