Chris Christie says he would give the Trump presidency an 'A' grade
- Chris Christie said he would give Trump's presidency an overall "A" grade.
- Earlier this year, the former New Jersey was critical of Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
- Christie did not rule out a 2024 presidential bid, even if Trump enters the race.
Months ago, former GOP Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey was deeply critical of former President Donald Trump's protracted challenge of the 2020 election results and his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, but he still gives the former president's administration a seal of approval.
During an appearance on Fox News host Sean Hannity's primetime show "Hannity," Christie issued high marks for Trump's report card on a raft of conservative priorities, from installing strict constructionists to the federal bench to pushing for school choice.
"Oh, listen, overall I give the president an A," he said. "The fact of the matter is that there were some things that happened specifically at the end of the presidency that I think had some things that clouded his accomplishments, and that's why we as a party need to emphasize the issues you just talked about."
Christie, a longtime Trump ally who served as governor from 2010 to 2018, was himself a presidential candidate in the 2016 primaries.
Last month, Axios reported that Christie was considering a bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. During yesterday's interview, he didn't commit to a decision.
"I certainly am not ruling it out," he said. "I think I have a lot to say and a lot to do for the country in the future, so we'll see how the next few years ago."
When Hannity asked Christie if he would potentially run against Trump in 2024, the former governor said that the decision wouldn't rest on any other candidates in the race.
"I would not make my decision based on anyone else who's running, Sean," he said. "If I believe I'm the right person and if my family supports it, those are the two things that would be the most important to me."
According to Axios, sources close to Christie believe that the former governor and US attorney thinks he could have a compelling candidacy based on his executive experience and previous presidential run.
Sources also make the case Christie could pull some conservative-leaning suburban voters back into the GOP fold and also appeal to blue-collar voters.