MADISON – Is Chris Christie worried about ending up in the Gulag?
“It worries my family more than it worries me,” he said Monday during an appearance at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
It is, on one hand, a ridiculous question. Then again, the administration of Donald Trump has been clear about settling scores with political enemies.
Take, for instance, Alina Habba, just appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Christie’s old job. Habba likely will be in the post for only 120 days.
Yet, she immediately made statements more in line with a partisan than a serious law enforcement official.
“If anybody thinks Elon was bad, wait for me. I’m coming for New Jersey,” was one of the things she said.
It’s hard to know what that means in the context of what the U.S. Attorney is supposed to do – the unbiased enforcement of federal law.
More broadly, Christie said in answer to an audience question about retribution from Trump the following:
“Donald Trump is a prototypical bully. Bullies typically pick … on people who don’t fight back. I don’t think that’s ever been my reputation.”
He added, “I’m not saying I’m not worried about it. I’m resigned to it. And I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve done.”
The former governor said he was proud to run against Trump during last year’s primary season and not back down.
He contrasted his stance to that of Nikki Haley, or, as he called her, “that phony.” After challenging Trump in the primary, she embraced him at the Republican convention.
Christie said he thinks Trump’s foreign policy will prove to be the most damaging part of his administration.
He ridiculed how Trump has made Canada and Denmark “Public enemies 1 and 1A.”
A big sports fan, Christie noted how some hockey fans are booing the Canadian National Anthem at the Prudential Center in Newark. The same thing is happening to the U.S. National Anthem in Canada. All this animosity with one of our closest allies – because of Trump.
Speaking of foreign affairs, one question was about the naming of Charles Kushner as ambassador to France.
Christie called Kushner one of the more “reprehensible” and “loathsome” people he ever encountered.
When Christie was U.S. Attorney, Kushner was convicted of tax evasion and witness tampering. The scheme involved Kushner setting up his brother-in-law with a prostitute in an attempt to intimidate him.
Trump pardoned Kushner at the end of his first term.
Commenting more generally on Republicans these days, Christie said:
“We don’t see a hell of a lot of courage out there.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s recent nomination of Rachael Rollins as the next U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey has sparked speculation and discussion about what this could mean for the state.
Rollins, who currently serves as the District Attorney for Suffolk County in Massachusetts, is known for her progressive approach to criminal justice reform. She has been a vocal advocate for ending mass incarceration, addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and implementing policies that prioritize rehabilitation and community-based solutions over punitive measures.
In nominating Rollins, Governor Murphy has signaled his commitment to advancing a more progressive agenda in New Jersey. This move has been met with both praise and criticism from various stakeholders in the state.
Some see Rollins’ nomination as a positive step towards addressing long-standing issues in New Jersey’s criminal justice system, such as racial disparities in sentencing and the over-reliance on incarceration as a solution to social problems. They believe that her experience and track record in Massachusetts make her well-equipped to lead the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Jersey and bring about much-needed reforms.
Others, however, have expressed concerns about Rollins’ approach to law enforcement and her potential impact on public safety in the state. They worry that her focus on decarceration and diversion programs could lead to an increase in crime and undermine efforts to keep communities safe.
Regardless of where one stands on Rollins’ nomination, it is clear that her appointment as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey will have far-reaching implications for the state. As she prepares to take on this new role, all eyes will be on Rollins as she navigates the complex landscape of New Jersey politics and works to implement her vision for a more just and equitable criminal justice system.