Chris Christie Unloads on the Kushners in Interview with The Fifth Column

Chris Christie's Relationship with the Kushners 00:02

"I'm the only person in America who put his dad in jail and one of the only people who is willing to tell the truth about them."

• Chris Christie candidly discusses his contentious relationship with the Kushner family, highlighting that he prosecuted Charles Kushner, Jared Kushner's father, for crimes related to tax fraud and donations misconduct.

• He describes the Kushners, especially Charles, as "reprehensible" and "amoral," stating that they engage in unethical behaviors and manipulations for personal gain.

• Christie points out that he is among the few individuals near the Kushners who is unafraid to openly speak about their actions and character.

The Crimes of Charles Kushner 01:15

"We were investigating him for tax fraud and for FEC fraud."

• During his investigation, Christie exposed that Charles Kushner was involved in multi-faceted illegal business operations, including tax and Federal Election Commission fraud.

• He details that Kushner funneled donations by forging signatures from family members to increase his political influence, violating laws in the process.

• The investigation also led to a revealing incident where Kushner attempted to blackmail his sister by videotaping her husband's infidelity to manipulate familial and legal circumstances.

The Scandalous Videotape Incident 02:09

"On the day of his sister's son's engagement party, he had the videotape delivered to his sister's house."

• Christie narrates a dramatic account involving a videotape that Charles Kushner used as a weapon against his sister and her husband, demonstrating the lengths he would go to protect himself.

• The illicit actions taken by Kushner include hiring a prostitute to compromise his brother-in-law, which reflects poorly on his character and morals.

• This scandal illustrates the toxic dynamics within the Kushner family and their willingness to exploit personal weaknesses for selfish motives.

The Role of the Prosecutor 07:21

"I had to admit I broke the man code here."

• Christie reflects on the ethical challenges he faced during the prosecution, revealing that he broke his own ethical standards by seeking personal information from a witness involved in the scandal.

• This instance emphasizes the complexity and moral dilemmas inherent in high-profile prosecutions, particularly those involving influential families.

• His decision to pursue the case against Kushner ultimately led to significant legal repercussions that shaped his career and the political landscape surrounding the Trump administration.

The Investigative Process and the Kushner Connection 09:03

"The cop folded immediately, said, 'Yep, I did it. Charlie Kushner asked me to do it.' He completely gave it up."

• During the investigation, a private investigator was uncooperative and refused to provide information, while a cop quickly confessed to being asked by Charles Kushner to engage in unlawful activities. This discrepancy highlights the varying responses from those involved in the investigation.

• The search warrant execution faced unexpected challenges, as the FBI encountered difficulties entering the apartment of a key witness—a prostitute—who initially refused to let them in. Even with a valid warrant, the agents expressed reluctance to force entry into the high-end residence.

• Eventually, agents managed to get access, and upon showing a photo of Charles Kushner to the witness, she confirmed, "Yeah, he's the guy who hired me," further tying Charles to the illicit activities.

Tensions with Jared Kushner 10:13

"The day that Trump was naming me, he went into Trump's office and said, 'You can't do this.'"

• The interactions between Chris Christie and Jared Kushner were tense, especially during the transition period after the 2016 election. Kushner openly opposed Christie's appointment to a significant position, arguing against him directly in front of Trump.

• During this confrontation, Jared labeled Christie as immoral and suggested that Christie's legal troubles were not serious crimes but rather family disputes that should have been settled within the community.

• Despite those accusations, Trump proceeded with naming Christie to a prominent position, indicating a recognition of Christie's capabilities despite the opposition from Kushner.

The Fallout and Jared's Influence 11:41

"But then, of course, he fired me... because Jared just continued to pound me."

• Christie ultimately felt that his termination as chairman of the Trump transition team was largely influenced by Jared Kushner's ongoing campaign against him. Both Trump and Steve Bannon later confirmed this perspective, shedding light on the internal dynamics and power struggles within the administration.

• Reflecting on the past, Christie pointed out the unexpected turn of events, considering how Jared, who was simply a college student at the time of Christie's prosecution of Charles Kushner, later became a significant figure in the Trump administration through his marriage to Ivanka Trump.

Evaluating Jared Kushner's Role 13:09

"I give him credit for a lot of different things. He's a smart guy."

• Christie acknowledges Jared Kushner's intelligence and capability, recognizing that he possesses skills that have contributed to his influence in political matters. While his skills might be overestimated, they are nonetheless impactful.

• He highlights that Kushner had a clear agenda while working in the Trump White House, which allowed him to stand out in a setting where personal and political motivations frequently intertwined.

• Christie elaborates on some of Kushner's initiatives, including the Second Step Act, which aimed to reform the justice system. Christie personally supported this legislation, indicating that he worked alongside Kushner to bring it to fruition, primarily driven by the importance of second chances in the justice system.