Shortly before Donald Trump replaced New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as his transition team's leader, the new president-elect tore apart the state leader during a telephone call over the Bridge-gate scandal and his job performance.
Trump, along with top aides, were concerned about how Christie was managing the transition and about the recent conviction of two of Christie's former aides during a criminal trial over the closure of the George Washington Bridge, nearly a dozen people briefed on the process told Politico.
Trump was also concerned about Christie's aides accusing him of knowing more about the scandal than he'd let on. Trump was worried that Christie had become a political risk, the sources noted.
Trump was also concerned with the number of lobbyists Christie included on his transition team. Shortly after the phone call, Trump replaced Christie with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, and hours later removed former House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers, who at one point was being considered as CIA director, from the team.
Christie also had differences with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, an influential adviser for Trump. Kushner, who is married to Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka, argued against Trump making Christie his running mate, reports Politico, and had pushed for him to be removed from the transition team.
There has been speculation that Kushner was retaliating against Christie, a former federal prosecutor, over prosecuting Kushner's father, Charles, in 2004. However, Kushner's allies say he was more concerned that Christie's issues were harmful to the team and the transition operation was not working with the governor in charge.