Chris Christie cited family reasons in a statement saying that he was asking Trump to remove him from consideration.
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took himself out of contention for White House chief of staff on Friday as President Donald Trump’s chaotic search for a new chief inched forward.
Christie cited family reasons in a statement saying that he was asking Trump to remove him from consideration. He had met with Trump on Thursday to discuss the job, according to a person familiar with the meeting who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Christie competed against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. He went on to become a staunch supporter, ultimately running Trump’s transition team.
Prior to becoming governor, Christie was a U. S. Attorney in New Jersey from 2002-2008.
Sessions was forced out by Trump Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the midterm elections.
Christie’s departure is the latest twist in a search triggered when Trump’s preferred candidate to replace John Kelly bowed out. Speculation has swirled around an array of Trump associates, prompting some to distance themselves from the job.
When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich visited the White House this week, he insisted it was merely to see the Christmas decorations.
The wild process is hardly a novelty for the Trump administration, which has struggled with high staff turnover and attracting top talent, but it underscored the tumult of Trump’s Washington.
In past administrations, chief of staff was a sought-after job, typically awarded after a careful process.
