Trumpland

Chris Christie Takes Himself Out of Running for White House Chief of Staff

HE’S OUT

The former New Jersey governor said he asked Trump to “no longer keep me in any considerations for this post.”

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Phillip Faraone/Getty

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has taken himself out of the running to serve as President Trump’s chief of staff. According to a statement obtained by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Christie said it was an “honor” to be considered for the position. “However, I’ve told the president that now is not the right time for me or my family to undertake this serious assignment,” he wrote. “As a result, I have asked him to no longer keep me in any considerations for this post.” While Christie was reportedly Trump’s top choice for the role,  Haberman noted that he had not been offered the job when he made his statement. Current Chief of Staff John Kelly recently announced that he would be leaving at the end of the month. Several names have been reportedly floated as possible replacements, including current senior adviser Jared Kushner—but a White House official told The Washington Post that Trump’s son-in-law was not under consideration.

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