Christie Takes His Hat Out of the Ring

Thanks, but no thanks. That’s Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s take on being considered as President Trump’s next chief of staff to replace the outgoing John Kelly. “It’s an honor,” Christie said in a statement, per Politico. “However, I've told the President that now is not the right time for me or my family to undertake this serious assignment.” The statement came Friday, the day after Christie met with Trump for about 90 minutes. Sources tell CNN that no offer was made during the meeting. According to Politico, sources say that several current and former White House officials, as well as his own aides, have told Christie that he would regret taking the job, if it were offered. One Republican source tells the site that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has clashed with Christie in the past, would be a constant source of friction.

“At this point in your life, really? Does Christie want that?" the source says. “It has been the inherent issue. The [Trump] family does not fit neatly into an org chart.” With Christie out, it’s unclear who Trump’s chief of staff frontrunner is, the New York Times reports. Nick Ayers, the president’s one-time top choice and chief of staff to the VP, declined the job over the weekend, instead saying he plans to leave the administration. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway teased reporters on Friday, per CNN, saying she knows who is next in line as Trump’s top pick. “Oh, I’m not saying, although I know,” she said. "I'll let the timeline and the content be all the president's. And I love when he's decisive and resolute and surprises people as well." (The price of Christie's official portrait ruffled some feathers.)