Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie blasted Republican lawmakers talking about nominating Donald Trump to be the next Speaker of the House.
Appearing Sunday on ABC’s This Week, Christie was responding to Trump’s “stranglehold over the Republican base,” as characterized by anchor George Stephanopoulos, who noted that GOP House rules say someone who’s indicted can’t be speaker.
“This is them doing what they know Donald Trump likes, which is kiss his rear end in public,” Christie suggested. “And if you do that, then he says nice things about you, even if what you’re saying is not — is demonstrably untrue. So, that’s part of the problem with all this.”
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) is one of the Republican lawmakers who has said that he will formally endorse Trump to be speaker — the GOP conference will hold a candidate forum Tuesday to determine which candidate to support ahead of a House vote set for the following day, according to The Hill.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) has also voiced support for Trump. She tweeted last week: “The only candidate for Speaker I am currently supporting is President Donald J. Trump.”
The only candidate for Speaker I am currently supporting is President Donald J. Trump.
He will end the war in Ukraine.
He will secure the border.
He will end the politically weaponized government.
He will make America energy independent again.
He will pass my bill to stop…
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) October 4, 2023
According to MTG, in addition to filling in as speaker Trump will end the war in Ukraine, end the politically weaponized government, secure the border, and make America energy independent again.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) are running to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted last week.
On Friday, Trump took to Truth Social to heartily endorse Jordan for the role. Christie stopped short of endorsing either candidate on Sunday but praised Scalise.
“I don’t have a favorite,” he said. “I don’t know Jim Jordan well at all, so I can’t really speak to him except for what I see publicly. I know Steve Scalise and I like Steve Scalise, and I respect him.”
“But I’m not going to weigh into a Speaker fight and endorse somebody,” he continued, “but my point is, I know Steve. I think Steve’s a responsible, good guy.”
Christie also called Trump out for dodging the GOP presidential debates — the next debate is scheduled for Nov. 8.
“Donald Trump needs to engage in the debate,” he said. “If he doesn’t, he’s disrespectful to the people of our party and the country. And we’re not going to know what we’re buying in this version of Donald Trump.”
“Donald Trump needs to engage in the debate,” GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie says.
“If he doesn’t, he’s disrespectful to the people of our party and the country. And we’re not going to know what we’re buying in this version of Donald Trump.” https://t.co/hApjnyJRls pic.twitter.com/mruDq3dRiV
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) October 8, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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