In recent days, former President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with his former ally, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, by threatening to drag him back into the notorious Bridgegate scandal spotlight. This comes amid Christie’s outspoken criticism of Trump and his 2024 primary challenge against the former president — a move that marked a definitive break in their once-close relationship.
The Legacy of Bridgegate
The Bridgegate scandal traces back to 2013, when members of Christie’s administration orchestrated the closure of several access lanes on the George Washington Bridge to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, who reportedly refused to endorse the governor’s re-election campaign. The closures resulted in massive traffic jams and widespread outrage. While two of Christie’s associates were initially convicted for their roles, the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned these convictions. Importantly, Christie himself was never charged, and Trump once hailed the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision as a “complete and total exoneration.”
From Allies to Adversaries
During Trump’s 2016 presidential transition, Christie played a prominent role, even though he never officially joined the Cabinet. The two remained close for much of Trump’s first term, with Christie assisting in debate preparations during the 2020 campaign. However, their alliance fractured dramatically after the 2020 election. Christie publicly condemned Trump’s refusal to concede and launched a 2024 primary campaign positioning himself as a strong anti-Trump Republican.
This open dissent appears to have provoked Trump, who recently hinted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he might revive scrutiny into Bridgegate-related issues connected to Christie. The exact nature of any renewed investigation remains unclear, but the threat underscores Trump’s growing willingness to leverage federal investigations as tools against political rivals.
Context of the Latest Tensions
The spike in acrimony coincided with an appearance by Christie on ABC’s This Week, where he discussed the FBI’s recent search of former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s home and office — a matter tied to Trump’s term and further illustrating government investigations entwined with Trump’s political realm. Christie characterized Trump’s disregard for the traditional separation between politics and the Department of Justice as unprecedented and alarming, directly accusing the former president of using the Justice Department as a means of personal retribution.
Trump’s response was swift and pointed, appearing to dismiss claims of his involvement in Bolton’s investigation and threatening Christie with new legal troubles. This exchange reveals a deeper feud dating back to Christie’s tenure as a federal prosecutor, particularly his prosecution of Jared Kushner’s father — an action that placed Christie at odds with the Trump family early on.
What’s Next for Christie?
While Christie’s Bridgegate scandal faded into history after the Supreme Court ruling, Trump’s renewed focus on it signals the potential for political retaliation. Whether this will evolve into a full-blown legal probe remains speculative, but it undeniably adds another layer of complexity to Christie’s 2024 presidential bid.
The entire episode highlights the increasingly bitter nature of internal Republican battles, where former friendships are cast aside and legal threats become political weapons. For Christie, navigating this renewed attention will require balancing his public critique of Trump with the risk of becoming embroiled in a controversy that haunted his earlier political career.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s recent warnings about Bridgegate problems for Chris Christie underscore the persistent shadow of past scandals in today’s volatile political environment. As Christie continues to challenge Trump’s dominance in the Republican Party, the potential for old controversies to resurface serves as a potent reminder of how past actions can impact present ambitions. Observers will be watching closely to see whether this is a mere political gambit or the prelude to another Bridgegate-like crisis for the former New Jersey governor.
