Christie rips Trump for thriving on ‘chaos and turmoil’ amid calls for protests

Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) criticized former President Donald Trump for thriving in “chaos and turmoil” after he called for protests in anticipation of a possible indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Christie said, “He only profits and does well in chaos and turmoil. And so he wants to create the chaos and turmoil on his terms. He doesn’t want it on anybody else’s terms,” on ABC’s This Week. “Look at the end, being indicted, never helps anybody. It’s not a help.”

Amid rumors of a Manhattan indictment against him being at a fever pitch, Trump expected to be “arrested on Tuesday” in a statement he made on Saturday. Prosecutors are considering charges related to an alleged $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign and related falsification of business records.

“Protest, take our nation back,” implored Trump to his followers, which drew criticism with some comparing the remarks to his speech preceding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

Christie argued that Trump’s affair with Stormy Daniels is not seen as a “huge crime” by most Americans, saying, “I don’t think there’s many Americans who don’t believe that Donald Trump had an affair with Stormy Daniels, and that don’t believe that he paid her money at the end of the campaign to keep it quiet. So, I don’t think that the American people probably see this as a huge crime.”

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has faced criticism for his handling of criminal cases in New York City, with Christie being one of his critics. Christie, who is a former federal prosecutor himself, stated, “When [Trump] says things about Alvin Bragg that are partisan and negative, he’s not wrong in my view. I go into New York City every week. It is a dangerous zone to go into Manhattan because Alvin Bragg is running a revolving door and not prosecuting crime, not prosecuting violent criminals.”

New York law enforcement is reportedly developing security plans in anticipation of a potential indictment against Trump. At least one more witness in the case is set to answer questions Monday.

Christie, who is currently deciding on whether or not to run for president in 2024, has stated that a decision will be made within the next two months.