Chris Christie Loses Role in Leading Donald Trump's Transition

Gov. Chris Christie confirmed Friday that he will no longer lead President-elect Donald Trump's transition team as the billionaire assembles a new government by January.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take over the job of leading Trump’s transition effort after Christie had been in charge of the transition for the last several months, according to a statement from Christie.

No specific reason was given for the change, but the "surprise nature" of Trump’s victory made it critical to move more quickly to assemble a team, according to a New York Times report.

Christie confirmed the report and provided a statement:

Trump did not respond to the change directly, but said Friday morning on Twitter: “Busy day planned in New York. Will soon be making some very important decisions on the people who will be running our government!”

Trump told advisers he wanted to tap Pence’s Washington experience and contacts to help move the process along, according to the New York Times report. Christie, along with Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, and Michael T. Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, will serve as vice chairs of the transition.

Just last week, Pence said Christie would still lead Trump's transition team despite the swirling Bridgegate controversy. "Well, what I would tell you is Chris Christie has continued to strongly state his position that he had no knowledge of those actions taken," Pence said on "Fox News Sunday."

Christie, however, faces a court date after a judge agreed to review a complaint that he engaged in official misconduct connected to the George Washington Bridge lane-closings scandal.

Read more: Impeach Gov. Chris Christie, Chief Lawmaker Says

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