Donald Trump Stands by Chris Christie Despite Revelations in Bridge Closing Trial
By MAGGIE HABERMAN SEPT. 20, 2016
nytimes.com
When Donald J. Trump campaigned in South Carolina in December, in a crowded and tightening Republican primary, he made a pointed declaration about one of his opponents, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey.“He totally knew about it,” Mr. Trump told his supporters, referring to the 2013 shutdown of the George Washington Bridge by Christie aides, allegedly to punish a political foe. “They’re with him all the time, the people that did it.”
Mr. Christie, who was not charged, has repeatedly denied such claims. But in a federal courthouse in Newark on Monday, a prosecutor from the United States attorney’s office affirmed Mr. Trump’s view of the scandal, which helped scuttle Mr. Christie’s hopes for the presidency.
The prosecutor, Vikas Khanna, said that the aides, David Wildstein and Bill Baroni, had boasted to the governor about closing several lanes of a ramp connecting Fort Lee to the George Washington Bridge.
Mr. Christie ran for president as the trial loomed, but withdrew after he was eclipsed by Mr. Trump. When Mr. Christie exited, he not only quickly endorsed Mr. Trump but also took over his presidential transition efforts.
In a typical election cycle, having federal prosecutors declare that a top adviser to a candidate was aware of such a damaging plot would have enormous ramifications.
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