Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is once again making headlines after claiming that Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, played a major role in removing him from a key position during Trump’s 2016 transition into the White House.
Christie made the remarks during an appearance on the “Fifth Column” podcast, where he reflected on the political tensions that unfolded behind the scenes after Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election.
According to Christie, Kushner pushed for his removal because of a long-standing personal dispute involving Kushner’s father.
Christie Claims Personal Grudge Led to His Removal
During the interview, Christie suggested that Jared Kushner never forgave him for prosecuting his father, Charles Kushner, years earlier while Christie was serving as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
Christie told podcast host Michael Moynihan that the old legal case created deep tensions between the two men.
“I think one of the main reasons Jared became so involved in the Trump White House was to ensure that his father would eventually be pardoned,” Christie said during the interview.
Charles Kushner, a wealthy real estate developer, was prosecuted in the early 2000s on multiple federal charges, including tax violations and witness tampering. He later pleaded guilty to several counts and served time in federal prison.
The case drew national attention at the time because of the unusual details surrounding the witness-tampering allegations.
The Controversial Case That Sparked the Feud
Christie revisited some of the most widely discussed aspects of the case during the podcast interview.
According to court filings from the original prosecution, Charles Kushner attempted to intimidate a cooperating witness involved in the investigation. The plan involved arranging a situation intended to embarrass a family member connected to the case.
The unusual nature of the scheme made the prosecution one of the most talked-about white-collar criminal cases in New Jersey history.
Christie has frequently defended the prosecution, noting that Kushner ultimately pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him.
Tensions During the 2016 Trump Transition
Years later, Christie said the issue resurfaced after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.
Trump had selected Christie to lead the presidential transition team, which is responsible for preparing the incoming administration and selecting key personnel.
However, Christie claimed Jared Kushner strongly opposed the decision.
According to Christie, Kushner confronted Trump directly about the appointment — and did so while Christie was present.
Christie said Kushner accused him of being a “bad person” and argued that the prosecution of his father should never have happened.
Christie recalled that he chose not to engage in a heated exchange during the meeting.
Instead, he calmly pointed out that the case had ended with a guilty plea covering multiple federal charges.
Trump Initially Backed Christie
Despite the tension, Christie said Trump initially stood by his decision to appoint him as transition chairman.
Christie recalled that Trump ultimately moved forward with the appointment at the time.
However, the situation did not remain stable for long.
Only days after the election, Christie was removed from the transition leadership role, and a new team was installed to oversee preparations for the incoming administration.
Christie Says Kushner Pushed Trump to Fire Him
Christie now believes that Jared Kushner was the driving force behind that decision.
“I know it was Jared,” Christie said on the podcast.
According to Christie, both Donald Trump and former White House strategist Steve Bannon later told him that Kushner had repeatedly urged Trump to remove him from the role.
Christie said Kushner “continued to push the issue” until Trump eventually replaced him as head of the transition effort.
A Long History of Political Tension
The comments are the latest example of Christie’s increasingly blunt criticism of the Trump inner circle.
Once considered a close ally of Trump, Christie played a visible role during the 2016 campaign and was one of the early Republican leaders to endorse Trump after ending his own presidential bid.
However, the relationship between the two men has grown more strained in recent years.
Christie later ran against Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, where he positioned himself as one of Trump’s most vocal critics within the GOP.
Behind-the-Scenes Battles Continue to Surface
Christie’s latest remarks highlight the intense personal rivalries that often take place behind the scenes in Washington politics.
The transition period following a presidential election is one of the most important moments for shaping a new administration, and internal disagreements over staffing decisions can have lasting political consequences.
As debates about the legacy of Trump’s presidency continue, former allies and critics alike are still offering new insights into the internal dynamics that shaped one of the most dramatic political transitions in modern American history.