Former Republican candidate Chris Christie has made headlines by suggesting that former President Donald Trump may consider accepting a plea bargain to avoid the possibility of going to prison for mishandling classified documents. Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, made these remarks during an appearance on Morning Joe, where he discussed his own presidential campaign as well as Trump’s legal troubles.
While Christie maintained his negative opinion of Trump’s involvement in the Stormy Daniels hush money scandal, he expressed skepticism towards Trump’s complaints of being politically persecuted in the face of numerous federal criminal counts. Christie offered advice to Trump, highlighting that complying with court orders and returning the requested documents could have prevented his current legal predicament. Christie further emphasized that if Trump chooses to take the case to trial and is convicted, he could potentially face jail time.
Drawing on his personal knowledge of Trump, Christie stated that he believes Trump is genuinely concerned about the possibility of going to prison. Despite Trump’s outward bravado and assertions of fearlessness, Christie claimed that Trump privately acknowledges the looming threat of incarceration. Christie recounted conversations with Trump, dating back to their time together in New Jersey, during which Trump expressed a strong aversion to the idea of going to jail.
In Christie’s assessment, he believes that Trump, faced with the choice of accepting a plea bargain to avoid prison, may ultimately decide to take it. Christie highlighted the potential implications of this scenario for the Republican Party, suggesting that Republicans will have to consider the possibility of Trump accepting a plea deal as they evaluate their options for the 2024 presidential nomination.
“He generally has really crappy lawyers, so let me give him advice,” Christie offered:
When they get a court order from a United States District Court judge, it’s not a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights. In fact, if you had done the simple thing that I think almost any other American would have done, which would have been to give the documents back, he wouldn’t be prosecuted. He is in big trouble there.
If he takes this case to trial and is convicted, which — based upon what I’ve seen in the indictment — I believe he will be, then he is facing jail time. Because part of what the Justice Department has always done under the attorneys general I’ve seen in my lifetime is, if we offer you a plea, which I’m certain they will, and you turn it down and you take us to trial and you’re convicted, that judge is sending you to jail.
I think that’s what he goes to bed every night thinking. Every night. All this bravado and everything else, I’ve known him for 22 years, when I was doing these cases in New Jersey, and I’d put political figures in jail, he’d say to me “I could never do that. I could never go to jail.” And I’m telling you, no matter what he says, no matter how he’s bragging and going on and on about him not being afraid, he goes to bed every time thinking about the sound of the jail cell door closing behind him.
Christie’s remarks shed light on the ongoing legal challenges surrounding Trump and the potential impact they may have on his political future. As speculation continues to swirl around Trump’s legal battles, his potential choices regarding a plea bargain could have far-reaching consequences for both his personal fate and the political landscape leading up to the next presidential election.
