Christie pokes at DeSantis: 'We don't make our country better by continuing to rumormonger things'

Chris Christie criticized fellow GOP presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis on Wednesday for claiming it is “possible” the FBI or Justice Department could interfere with his campaign.

“I don’t know what basis he has to draw that conclusion,” the former New Jersey governor said during an interview on CNN on Wednesday evening. “We don’t make our country better by continuing to rumormonger things.”

If DeSantis, the governor of Florida, does believe there has been federal interference in his campaign — or he thinks there’s a reason there could be — he should make that public, Christie said.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked: “I want you to listen to what DeSantis said today. He said it’s suggested it’s ‘possible’ that the FBI or DOJ — the Department of Justice — could interfere with his campaign … that was the gist — I’m paraphrasing — the gist of what he said. What do you make of that?”

“If Ron DeSantis is concerned that there’s something in his background that would lead to DOJ or the FBI to be looking at him, that’s probably something he should talk to us all about as he’s seeking the presidency,” said Christie, who is trying to carve a lane in the Republican primary as a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump.

“If there’s some investigative steps that he thinks would be appropriate that we don’t know about right now by the FBI or DOJ against him or members of his inner circle, then he should reveal that. Otherwise, stop speculating about this stuff.”

Christie also voiced concern about whether DeSantis, if elected, would be willing to uphold the law, particularly regarding Trump, who could soon face his third indictment for his alleged role in trying to subvert the 2020 election.

“Would you trust a President DeSantis to go ahead and enforce the rule of law?” Blitzer asked, after playing a clip from DeSantis’ CNN interview on Tuesday, during which he said he hoped Trump was not charged again.

“Look, based on what he just said there, it gives you concerns, doesn’t it?” Christie said. “I mean, look, no one is above the law, and the fact is that what’s damaging to the country — I think this is where Ron’s getting it wrong — is Donald Trump’s conduct.”