Right, Jared Boy... a "badass move." I guess playing with the lives of all the plebeian commuters means nothing, when you are soaring high above traffic in your golden helicopter.
8
Old and boring story, let it go already...
No surprise that Kushner thought making the lives of millions of commuters was "bad ass." Thank you NYT for continuing to expose this baby faced man.
And can we stop normalizing this behavior by calling it "rough and tumble NY/NJ politics?" Every single one of these people in Trump's orbit are sociopaths. Politics is just the means to their ends.
Christie has been and is a disgrace. Just like Trump he was touted as "telling it like it is" when he insulted questioners at Town Halls. And from not accepting the funding for the tunnel to just recently him telling a reporter that he had no regrets as governor, he cared nothing about his "beloved'" NJ. No regrets? Even if you want to continue the charade that you knew nothing about the GW lane closures, maybe you could have faked it and expressed some regret that millions of commuters' lives were impacted by your "staff's poor judgment."
I am a New Yorker and this behavior is not just New York style politics.
And can we stop normalizing this behavior by calling it "rough and tumble NY/NJ politics?" Every single one of these people in Trump's orbit are sociopaths. Politics is just the means to their ends.
Christie has been and is a disgrace. Just like Trump he was touted as "telling it like it is" when he insulted questioners at Town Halls. And from not accepting the funding for the tunnel to just recently him telling a reporter that he had no regrets as governor, he cared nothing about his "beloved'" NJ. No regrets? Even if you want to continue the charade that you knew nothing about the GW lane closures, maybe you could have faked it and expressed some regret that millions of commuters' lives were impacted by your "staff's poor judgment."
I am a New Yorker and this behavior is not just New York style politics.
3
How appropriate, Christie, a federal prosecutor has dinner with Trump - did he pledge his allegiance or loyalty for that extra scoop of ice cream?
Now Trump and his Republican bad-asses are taking the Bridgegate tactic for political vindictiveness to the rest of the country - punishing the majority of citizens for not voting for them, by trashing all government institutions, sabotage and destroy the ACA transferring the proceeds into his own pocket, and picking fights with every friend and ally we HAD around the world.
What other bad-ass Bridgegates do these people have in store for us? They certainly will do nothing to to fight the next Russian intervention into our elections, since they obviously benefit from assistance. Anyone else feels like a powerless pawn to these crooks?
Now Trump and his Republican bad-asses are taking the Bridgegate tactic for political vindictiveness to the rest of the country - punishing the majority of citizens for not voting for them, by trashing all government institutions, sabotage and destroy the ACA transferring the proceeds into his own pocket, and picking fights with every friend and ally we HAD around the world.
What other bad-ass Bridgegates do these people have in store for us? They certainly will do nothing to to fight the next Russian intervention into our elections, since they obviously benefit from assistance. Anyone else feels like a powerless pawn to these crooks?
4
"For what it's worth, i thought the move you pulled was kind of badass," wrote jared kushner. The whole trump administration and family are rotten to the core. They represent the very worst of our cultural excesses. The only silver lining I can see is that their collective behavior sickens decent Americans of all political persuasions, and has galvanized the majority of citizens who are decent, law-abiding and caring. Vote them out; lock them up; we are better than this.
5
Reward and punish "blood sport" culture has "managed to worm its way" into Trump-world? Oh come on. It's coals to Newcastle.
1
For God's sake, why are we still talking about Bridgegate? Liberals, please explain why this is more important than the Fast and Furious scandal, the Benghazi tragedy and its coverup, the weaponization of the IRS, the 20 or more deliberate public lies told by Obama to secure the passage of the ACA, the gross negligence Hillary Clinton displayed in the use of an unsecured server, the collusion between Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch, the endless lies told by Hillary Clinton about her server, the deliberate destruction by Hillary Clinton of about 30,000 subpoenaed emails, and the Clinton Foundation's massive corruption.
This kind of politics disgusts me. We need evidence-based policy-making and consensus-based politics. Not this good-old-boy network, back-slapping, mafia-style politics.
3
Birds of a feather....
They are a vile bunch, laughable except for their guns. Like a street gang, they wear the colors, they strut, they throw their weak from moving cars, and they keep lists. We'll (the fragile civilization constructed over centuries) be lucky to survive.
Christopher Wray is supposed to head the FBI? After reading his column that sounds like a bad joke!
3
Christie et al; Kushner et al ....all add to the Trump cesspool. Hope that Mueller et al can drain the cesspool.
2
Amazing,employees plan and put into action,What's called bridgegate .The governor is of course,clueless and innocent of any wrong doing.
Remember now we're speaking of Chris Christie,up for Vice pres. and gov. Of
New Jersey.nevermind 12 missing text messages.The lawyers have said he's not guilty,and there's no evidence to prove otherwise.These men,along with Trump and his lawyers,Kushner,his Daddy,now in Jail,and his lawyer,now our new FBI DIRECTOR almost, are running our country?
How do you like our criminal government,and that's only part of it? I feel sick
Knowing with the right $1500. An hour lawyer they will rob us blind,and what are we going to do about it?
Remember now we're speaking of Chris Christie,up for Vice pres. and gov. Of
New Jersey.nevermind 12 missing text messages.The lawyers have said he's not guilty,and there's no evidence to prove otherwise.These men,along with Trump and his lawyers,Kushner,his Daddy,now in Jail,and his lawyer,now our new FBI DIRECTOR almost, are running our country?
How do you like our criminal government,and that's only part of it? I feel sick
Knowing with the right $1500. An hour lawyer they will rob us blind,and what are we going to do about it?
1
It seems to me that FBI directors should be chosen from current and former FBI employees, not outsiders. Especially not dirty outsiders.
Wray is a dirty outsider. If there is any integrity left in Congress, Wray should be tossed back to New Jersey.
Wray is a dirty outsider. If there is any integrity left in Congress, Wray should be tossed back to New Jersey.
2
Out of 50 the most corrupt states politically, New Jersey is said to be number one. Except for a select few, Trump's cabinet is a perfect kakistocracy.
3
Mr Comey certainly understood what Trump meant when Trump said he and Comey had "that thing you know" (our thing, cosa nostra). That threat is clear to any LEO; it's crystal clear to someone with Comey's experience. While I question Trump's intellectual ability, he thinks he knows how to threaten.
We in DC never had much in the way of organized crime. We're strictly a disorganized crime town. Despite that, we're a major city and we're not a bunch of rubes. Don't let the southern accents fool you. We're a mile down the road waiting for you.
While Comey understands what Trump said, we in DC do not respond well to threats. Comey's been here long enough to handle threats.
It was stupid and clumsy of Trump to utter such a naked threat to the head of the FBI. The excuses by Paul Ryan and others that Trump is "new" to all this are insults to us and Trump. DC is a town with a steep learning curve. Trump and Christie need to shut up and learn.
No one would have threatened J Edgar to his face. It's the same job but now it's an arm of the US Intelligence Community. Trump burned his last bridges with the IC by his insulting visit to the CIA on 01/21/17, Bannon's attempted reorganization of the NSC, and the appointment of Mike Flynn as national security advisor.
There are conventions and laws for these things. They are guided by the US Constitution. You're not in New York -or north Jersey- anymore.
We in DC never had much in the way of organized crime. We're strictly a disorganized crime town. Despite that, we're a major city and we're not a bunch of rubes. Don't let the southern accents fool you. We're a mile down the road waiting for you.
While Comey understands what Trump said, we in DC do not respond well to threats. Comey's been here long enough to handle threats.
It was stupid and clumsy of Trump to utter such a naked threat to the head of the FBI. The excuses by Paul Ryan and others that Trump is "new" to all this are insults to us and Trump. DC is a town with a steep learning curve. Trump and Christie need to shut up and learn.
No one would have threatened J Edgar to his face. It's the same job but now it's an arm of the US Intelligence Community. Trump burned his last bridges with the IC by his insulting visit to the CIA on 01/21/17, Bannon's attempted reorganization of the NSC, and the appointment of Mike Flynn as national security advisor.
There are conventions and laws for these things. They are guided by the US Constitution. You're not in New York -or north Jersey- anymore.
2
It should be no surprise at all that what Trump meant by “drain the swamp” was to fill it with Clostridium Difficile.
1
I can't understand the people here defending Trump and insinuating that Democrats and Comey are somehow being disingenuous. We were attacked. Trump and Christie don't care about that. There are a lot of dumb people out there
2
Christie was lucky to walk away from Bridgegate as his bus drove over his former supporters. That same philosophy seems to be driving the current occupant of the White House, who would like to scoot away while his "satellite associates" undergo scrutiny. Poor satellites. They revolve around the center of the universe...Trump. Until they are drawn into his deadly vortex of narcissism.
3
Lots of politicians start their careers with good hearts, ideals, and standards. Many become dependent on donors to support their campaigns. Then they become indebted to those supporters. That's how the swamps are organically filled with corrupt politicians. Trump, on the other hand, is taking people on the fringe of corruption and stocking the swamp. These are going to grow into monsters.
9
I understand the "exchange of favors." I have you to dinner and you will likely have me to dinner. But the harsh action, the callous action, the illegal actions of those in political office is wrong. Yes, they need to be removed from their offices. They cannot be allowed to serve in a public office - we want public servants - not thiefs and power hungry people who care only for their power and nothing for the people they represent.
9
Maybe someone could explain to me why Christie was not convicted and imprisoned for Bridgegate? Actually, don't bother. Everyone over the age of 5 knows the answer to that one. It's the same answer for why Trump has never seen a jail cell and never will. It's the same reason more than 45% of North Carolina voters voted for Democratic Representatives -- but wound up with only 3 seats of 13 -- less than 25%. We live in a profoundly corrupt nation. There's hardly even a pretense any more of "equal justice under law".
10
Those of us who live in New Jersey have a special responsibility to constantly remind the nation of Chris Christie's toxic nature.
11
https://www.ecowatch.com/christopher-wray-fbi-exxon-2438262927.html
The 8-9 billion dollars that Exxon owed NJ that was mysteriously reduced to 250 million under Christie administration ( see NYT) may have had something to do with the above article. It seems that Wray and his firm were working not only for Exxon but for the Russian Oil giant Rosneft.
It would be interesting to see how much wampum Christie, a public servant paid Mr Wray.
I cannot vouch for ecowatch as a source but hopefully smart people who care about the FBI are looking at this.
The 8-9 billion dollars that Exxon owed NJ that was mysteriously reduced to 250 million under Christie administration ( see NYT) may have had something to do with the above article. It seems that Wray and his firm were working not only for Exxon but for the Russian Oil giant Rosneft.
It would be interesting to see how much wampum Christie, a public servant paid Mr Wray.
I cannot vouch for ecowatch as a source but hopefully smart people who care about the FBI are looking at this.
5
It's nearly impossible to progress to the future if we will continue to be governed by those stuck in the past.
2
Half of the Bridgegate cast of characters are now working for the federal government? What could possibly go wrong?
Once again, Trump surrounds himself with people who, if there were any real justice for Republicans in the world, would all be in jail, including Christie.
Once again, Trump surrounds himself with people who, if there were any real justice for Republicans in the world, would all be in jail, including Christie.
6
According to his bio, Wray has spent more time representing criminals and corporate interests than prosecuting them. His representation of Christie is a big red flag. I fail to see how spending the last decade earning the big money in private practice translates into the independence desired in an FBI director.
24
Far more apt an analogy to Trump is the Christie administration's firing of an assistant prosecutor, Bennett Barlyn, in Hunterdon County in 2010 after he objected to the dismissal of an indictment by Christie's AG, Paula Dow. Barlyn recently settled with NJ for 1.5 million dollars after a six-year legal battle that cost NJ taxpayers over 4 million dollars paid to a Christie-connected law firm. Christie, like Trump, had no reservations firing a principled public servant attempting to uphold and enforce the rule of law.
29
I thought Trump was going to drain the swamp. It looks to me like they're building new ones.
26
What a joke the headline is. The FBI director should have been fired on day one due to his poor judgment shown in the Hillary investigation. When you make a case for prosecution, and then say there is no basis for it, that is poor judgment. When you over step your job as an investigator that is more poor judgment.
4
I'd think the fact that not everyone who is investigated is found guilty should be cheering you up right about now.
2
Wake up. I respect your standing behine your candidate but your boy is a third rate con man who would just as soon throw you out the minute he doesn't need your vote. He doesn't care about you and the sooner you wake up and find a conservative with the constitution as his guiding principle, the better off you will be. Good luck finding one though. They seem to have forgotten what that means any more.
2
I was born in NJ decades ago. Parts of my extended family lived in NJ since the Civil War. By 1960 all parts had the good sense to leave that political sinkhole of corruption.
NJ politicians have been a double-dealing, nefarious crew since Ben. Franklin's son was colonial governor and supported the British during the Revolution.
Only the names ever change in NJ, the crooked games remains the same.
NJ politicians have been a double-dealing, nefarious crew since Ben. Franklin's son was colonial governor and supported the British during the Revolution.
Only the names ever change in NJ, the crooked games remains the same.
38
Fair enough. But does this article not also describe:
1. the type of thinking that produced Democratic scrutiny of Republicans (Flynn for example) incidentally caught up in routine intelligence monitoring of other sources
2. CIA Director Brennan setting up a working group with the NSA and the FBI -- thus gaining access to U.S. domestic politics -- over his concern over Trump's possible connections with the Russians
3 The lack of interest in who funded former M-16 agent Steele's ant-Trump dossier, much of which Steele has disavowed.
America once enjoyed an "Age of Good Feeling." What do we have now?
1. the type of thinking that produced Democratic scrutiny of Republicans (Flynn for example) incidentally caught up in routine intelligence monitoring of other sources
2. CIA Director Brennan setting up a working group with the NSA and the FBI -- thus gaining access to U.S. domestic politics -- over his concern over Trump's possible connections with the Russians
3 The lack of interest in who funded former M-16 agent Steele's ant-Trump dossier, much of which Steele has disavowed.
America once enjoyed an "Age of Good Feeling." What do we have now?
5
1. If Flynn had merely been caught up in routine intelligence monitoring, as you say, he'd probably still have a job. It was lying about his meetings with Russians, lying on his security clearance forms, and lying to the VP that did him in.
2. CIA Director set up a working group based on actual knowledge of meetings between Trump people and Russians. It was not a fishing expedition but a response to facts.
3. I guess it's of interest about the Steele funding, but much more important is the truth of the report. Perhaps some is disavowed, but how much is true, and how compromised were all of the Trump people (and Trump the golden shower man) by the Russians?
John, we won't have another age of good feeling until we can feel good about the people in power. And this is not the crowd that can get us even in the vicinity of that.
2. CIA Director set up a working group based on actual knowledge of meetings between Trump people and Russians. It was not a fishing expedition but a response to facts.
3. I guess it's of interest about the Steele funding, but much more important is the truth of the report. Perhaps some is disavowed, but how much is true, and how compromised were all of the Trump people (and Trump the golden shower man) by the Russians?
John, we won't have another age of good feeling until we can feel good about the people in power. And this is not the crowd that can get us even in the vicinity of that.
3
Please show link to Steel disavowing his dossier on Trump. Thank you.
Russia is not going away. That's what people are supposed to be truly concerned about. But we are surrounded and ruled by degenerates oozing poison. And the larger Republican party is more or less in lock step, determined to rule no matter what. We are out here, day after day, watching in horror as this monster, our government, unleashes its sickness.
50
To many the Russian investigation is worthless, sure they attempted to meddle we do it all the time as well.
3
Sure, people aren't happy with the Russian meddling. But I bet anything that people are far more upset about Trump's crew cooperating with the Russians than with the cyberattack itself.
We expect the Russian meddling but not the treasonous cooperation by Trump and/or his cohort.
Lock them all up.
We expect the Russian meddling but not the treasonous cooperation by Trump and/or his cohort.
Lock them all up.
6
Actually we don't. "Meddle" doesn't mean anything. Show me actual examples of the US disseminating fake news in the election, say, in Croatia (you do know it's a country, don't you?). Or trying to break into the voting software in Estonia. Or a Norwegian politician meeting in secret with a CIA agent. He would be out of the running so quickly his head would spin. But here are self-styled "patriotic Americans" who have the gall to accuse liberals of treason, unconcerned that the entire Trump campaign was in cahoots with the worst enemy the US has today. Just confess: you don't care for the country, you just hate liberals, and if it takes selling out American interests to Putin to humiliate them, you are happy to do it.
1
Bridgegate was certainly a travesty but this reader will never forgive Gov Christie for making political hay out of the Ebola outbreak and summarily confining a courageous health care worker to isolation upon her return home from Africa. Moreover, if there are there any decent words to describe the defenders of said filthy abomination whose very existence among us insults the body politic, they refuse to come to mind.
39
This is all my worst nightmare.
28
Everyone; from the lowly road sweeper to the Governor, knew about this debacle and no one, other than Bridget Anne Kelly, felt any punishment. "She neither conceived the plot nor had the sole authority to sign off on it." It describes a world of testosterone driven, power hungry, good old boy's, and the corridors of power through which they prowl. It's definitely not a women's world, and Bridget fell victim to being "thrown to the wolves" by her male legal team and her past colleagues. I'll bet her fellow Bridgegaters are nowhere near penniless.
62
So where is David Samson in all of this? I could cry. He said to me, "N.J. makes Louisiana look good" Miss him
8
The Swamp is operating full tilt. Anything but getting to important issues. Surprised Boy Scout,( maybe Eagle Scout Comey), hasn't given testimony . He is probably busy writing a book.
6
"the blood-sport political culture that spawned Bridgegate has managed to worm its way into the Trump administration."
As Pliny the Elder is said to have said, home is where the heart is. Therefore, that culture didn't have to worm its way into anything. One doesn't have to worm oneself into one's own home.
As Pliny the Elder is said to have said, home is where the heart is. Therefore, that culture didn't have to worm its way into anything. One doesn't have to worm oneself into one's own home.
22
This whole group of people deserve each other. The nation deserves none of them.
22
Joseph, yes, the illiterate and megalomaniacal Trump attracts sleaze like ticks to dogs, and we are cursed to be the ones paying their cushy salaries while they meddle in things they know nothing about and care nothing about. I weep for the good people of our country.
When you need a cover-up, hire a cover-up expert.
When Christie becomes Wray's boss, as AG, the circle of corruption becomes complete - and they all have dirt on each other - which is they only way scum like this feels safe.
When Christie becomes Wray's boss, as AG, the circle of corruption becomes complete - and they all have dirt on each other - which is they only way scum like this feels safe.
21
These folks are a lot like a barrel of rotten fish. Hope we have to open another prison just for them. (with No golf course !)
15
Alligators in the swamp in charge of draining the swamp! Supposedly the best talent in America to manage public affairs.
Sad. For America.
This is the best democracy can do! Let us stop pretending that we are "exceptional". Our politics in no different from that of most of the countries in the world with all the attendant corruption, cronyism, and crime! And no consequences when exposed, because of talented people like Mr. Wray now heading to head the FBI.
No doubt he will find a way to shut down the Russia Investigation, and let the "good guy" Flynn go!
More Sad!
Sad. For America.
This is the best democracy can do! Let us stop pretending that we are "exceptional". Our politics in no different from that of most of the countries in the world with all the attendant corruption, cronyism, and crime! And no consequences when exposed, because of talented people like Mr. Wray now heading to head the FBI.
No doubt he will find a way to shut down the Russia Investigation, and let the "good guy" Flynn go!
More Sad!
21
And now Bridegate players are in the White House, where it is rotten to the core.
22
This account is nothing less than stomach-churning for what it says, again, about the inoculation of the wealthy, the powerful, the self-dealing and the well-connected from any consequences of their calculated malfeasance.
We pretend to be a nation of laws, of checks and balances where, in reality, the poor and powerless are checked at every turn, and the bank balances of the fixers are feathered cynically at public expense.
We are a hypocritical thugocracy. Mindlessly, we celebrate the veneer of civilization we slather on our pork roast of power. It should be literally making us sick, and maybe it is. Chris Christie and Donald Trump are the Porkers-in-Chief.
We pretend to be a nation of laws, of checks and balances where, in reality, the poor and powerless are checked at every turn, and the bank balances of the fixers are feathered cynically at public expense.
We are a hypocritical thugocracy. Mindlessly, we celebrate the veneer of civilization we slather on our pork roast of power. It should be literally making us sick, and maybe it is. Chris Christie and Donald Trump are the Porkers-in-Chief.
37
See this sweet Tillerson-Christie $$$ connection:
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/01/how_christies_controversial...
Exxon pays 3 cents on the dollar in a shocking pollution settlement arranged by Governor Chris Christie when he pulled the rug out from under the NJ courts. Looks like Tillerson is paying back by hiring Christie cronies for the State Department. It's the NJ way, Pay To Play!
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/01/how_christies_controversial...
Exxon pays 3 cents on the dollar in a shocking pollution settlement arranged by Governor Chris Christie when he pulled the rug out from under the NJ courts. Looks like Tillerson is paying back by hiring Christie cronies for the State Department. It's the NJ way, Pay To Play!
30
"The blood-sport political culture that spawned Bridgegate" didn't worm it's way into the Trump administration, it came with Trump. Trump and Christie share it.
So now we have a consigliere for large swamp creatures who gained his nomination to head the FBI by helping Christie avoid legal consequences for Bridgegate. He's a proven winner, and certainly understands "normal NY conversation". The question is: how scrupulous is he about justice?
So now we have a consigliere for large swamp creatures who gained his nomination to head the FBI by helping Christie avoid legal consequences for Bridgegate. He's a proven winner, and certainly understands "normal NY conversation". The question is: how scrupulous is he about justice?
20
Bridget-Gate. Slight variation. Personally, ( speaking from the west coast where traffic problems are becoming worse and worse) I think Bridget got kind of screwed. 18 months is just enough time to completely shatter what's left of her family. Why not 3 months in jail, 500 hours community service and some financial restitution? What difference does it make at this point. Her life is completely ruined. Christie walked. She may have come up with it but he ordered it....
12
This is what is meant by "honor among thieves." In addition it is an excellent representation of the "swamp" concept. You know, the one Trump promised to drain, but instead has overfilled.
18
Oh yes, the beloved son-in-law Jared Jushner has also shown through his actions to be part of the New Jersey - New York amateur mafia mentality. Such leadership and thoughtful advisors, oh yes.
17
Robert Mueller is supposed to have the latitude to investigate those close to the administration and be able to prosecute them for anything else he finds out while looking into the Comey matter. Safe to say he will probably find a lot worse than Bridgegate when he is through - that is, if he isn't fired first for the same reason that Comey was.
8
As a resident of the town that lived through the horrors of Bridgegate, let's not forget about the people in the town who literally paid the price for our Mayor's decision not to play in the Bridgegate playground. Town businesses lost out on income. Idling cars added to our daily pollution, school students couldn't get to their school and one ambulance couldn't bring its occupant to the hospital. I may have omitted other issues our town faced.
The public should remember that many individuals were impacted those days.
Perhaps Bridgegate is a forerunner, of dare I say, Trumpgate? If so, I hope the outcome recognizes all the players and they too get their just rewards.
The public should remember that many individuals were impacted those days.
Perhaps Bridgegate is a forerunner, of dare I say, Trumpgate? If so, I hope the outcome recognizes all the players and they too get their just rewards.
15
The mind reels.
6
This political atmosphere has indeed become a blood sport.
We MUST remove Trump from our country's government.
We MUST remove Trump from our country's government.
8
Trump and Christie - can you imagine them, best buddies, in Atlantic City with all the other low life before Trump bailed and Christie 'forgave' his loan to New Jersey which was in the 10's of millions? These two crooks think they have and are getting away with it all.
Mr. Wray does not keep nice company. Christie, Russian bankers and now we learn that he knew Jared before. What's the plan here? Wray becomes FBI director and he quashes any and all investigation of Jared and Trump?
I am afraid to visualize a month from now when the news reports that indeed the GOP has confirmed Wray. If that happens, Mueller will be all that is left between
the eventual truth and the destruction of the American experiment.
Mr. Wray does not keep nice company. Christie, Russian bankers and now we learn that he knew Jared before. What's the plan here? Wray becomes FBI director and he quashes any and all investigation of Jared and Trump?
I am afraid to visualize a month from now when the news reports that indeed the GOP has confirmed Wray. If that happens, Mueller will be all that is left between
the eventual truth and the destruction of the American experiment.
Memo to Bridget Ann Kelly and company: Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
2
Bridget Anne Kelly in retrospect typifies Trump voters but with more dire consequences: "they did the deed, now WE pay the price".
10
According to a report on NPR when Wray was selected by Trump last week, when asked where the cell phone in question was Mr. Christie said either that he had lost it or didn't know where it was. This was later shown to be a lie when Mr. Wray acknowledged that the cell phone had been in his possession. If Christie lied under oath after giving Wray the phone, he is subject to disbarment, at the least. If Mr. Wray was representing him when he lied under oath and permitted the lie to stand, continuing to represent Christie, he is subject to disbarment. As I indicate, if the facts are as I understand them the Code of Legal Ethics to which the two men are subject as attorneys was possibly violated with the indicated consequences.
50
Christopher Wray's confirmation should be conditional upon the release of the contents of Chris Christie's cell phone which he kept concealed well Cristie claimed to know nothing about its whereabouts. As far as I am concerned, Wray aided and abetted a crime.
38
"As far as I am concerned, Wray aided and abetted a crime."
Which makes him highly qualified for allying with Donnie from Queens.
Which makes him highly qualified for allying with Donnie from Queens.
8
Kushner - the mute fixer -who never lets his voice be heard by the public - congratulated Christie's buddy for being a "bad ass" for causing major inconvenience, interruption of business, and danger to thousands of people? And he is the man in charge of everything for Trump? This is insight into another squirrelly, egotistical, little, little man. Shares his of father-in-law's view of little people, I guess.
45
Actually it is just shades of his father.
If Christie would have been tried and convicted, I would not have sentenced him to prison, I would have given him the option of actually "working the cones" on the GWB for 5 years while wearing a tiny hat in the shape of a traffic cone.
44
Bridget Anne Kelly:
Penniless and a felon.
Feel the karma. Yay!
Penniless and a felon.
Feel the karma. Yay!
9
It just gets dirtier and dirtier. Ironically, Christie would have been a far better COS or AG than either of the guys Trump picked. He also would have been a far better President than Donny 2 Scoops (He gets 2 scoops of ice cream when all his guests only get one). Christie has been a terrible governor for 7 1/2 years other than the 2 weeks of SuperStorm Sandy, yet STILL would have been far, far better than Trump.
Trump has demonstrated why he was such a failure as a CEO, sinking businesses left and right but always managing to get himself lots of (other people's) money.
Trump has demonstrated why he was such a failure as a CEO, sinking businesses left and right but always managing to get himself lots of (other people's) money.
15
Is anyone in this article not a criminal? Yuck.
23
Wray is perfect for the Trump administration.
A white guy who is a tested and skilled at ensuring that the boss can throw his loyal staff (or watch his staff be thrown) under the bus.
A white guy who is a tested and skilled at ensuring that the boss can throw his loyal staff (or watch his staff be thrown) under the bus.
27
The once venerable White House is becoming a snake pit.
26
Swamp.
5
and WHAT do you expect ?
7
Well, if anyone thought there was a swamp to be drained in Washington, they never saw the likes of the political swamp in New Jersey! The New Jersey political process ranks at the top of the national corruption gauge, hence the bankruptcy of the state. The NY/NJ Port Authority is a government mobster operation and the home of six figure political patronage jobs. How discomforting to know these corrupt to the core NJ operatives have been assigned prominent Cabinet and White House positions! Democracy will be deconstructed with secrecy and haste. Do not underestimate the depths of treachery these individuals are capable of. In the midst of the misery of thousands during the bridge closing, one of the operatives emailed "Is it wrong that I'm smiling?"
31
It is scandals that got Trump into the White House. It is scandals that sustain his base of support. Scandals keep him in the spot light.
The more scandals, the merrier. Democrats don't get this.
If Christie leave office in New Jersey, the White House is waiting.
================================================
Democrats don't get that scandals make Trump a super hero, period.
The more scandals, the merrier. Democrats don't get this.
If Christie leave office in New Jersey, the White House is waiting.
================================================
Democrats don't get that scandals make Trump a super hero, period.
4
What? Are you referencing the fake scandals used to smear Clinton or the real scandals of Trump et al - pussygate, daughter lust, ex-wife claim of rape, laundered rubles to get out of debt, failed businesses, workers sued and stiffed, Putin love, etc?
13
Being BFF with Christie is not a sterling attribute.
7
It's a wonder to me that the right wing pseudo media was up in arms about Obama's purported abuses of power and "king-like" style of governing, but stands still for what's going on under President Trump.
I remember thinking "What?!" very often at Fox coverage of President Obama. Remember the scandal about him eating dijon mustard? I was reminded of this lately on some left-wing site, but it really did happen. I remember that was an issue, a "problem" worth reporting according to Fox! I understand the campaign positioning of that complaint, but to be picked up by a major network?
Both parties can be corrupt. Both parties misbehave. But the modern GOP has a corner on bringing fantasy into the mainstream as "facts". Straight out lies take the oxygen out of a democracy. They're very harmful if they're given currency by trusted media.
I remember thinking "What?!" very often at Fox coverage of President Obama. Remember the scandal about him eating dijon mustard? I was reminded of this lately on some left-wing site, but it really did happen. I remember that was an issue, a "problem" worth reporting according to Fox! I understand the campaign positioning of that complaint, but to be picked up by a major network?
Both parties can be corrupt. Both parties misbehave. But the modern GOP has a corner on bringing fantasy into the mainstream as "facts". Straight out lies take the oxygen out of a democracy. They're very harmful if they're given currency by trusted media.
19
In the 1990s, some Americans worried about the "Southernization" of American politics, fretting that the racially-charged, anti-union, socially conservative politics of the South was being plied by politicians across the country. Today we have to worry about the "Jerseyization" of our politics. I like living in New Jersey, but the state's politics--in both major parties--is squalid. In New Jersey, no crooked scheme is either too big or too small for our elected leaders. Voters here have become inured to corruption, and accept it as a virtually inescapable aspect of government. Large-scale corruption and petty acts of vindictiveness such as Bridgegate, are both endemic to the state's politics. The Trump administration seems similar. President Trump has engaged in high-stakes schemes and small-minded behaviors that seem right as home here in New Jersey: His extensive, dubious business dealings and ties to Russia, coupled with his petty Twitter outbursts, reveal that he has the deviousness and the vindictiveness familiar to voters in the Garden State.
41
Anyone who doubts Chris' point should read the book "The Soprano State."
I was born&raised in Jersey&we never became "inured" to corruption; Fighting corruption on the smallest scales way back to the 60s always included mickey mouse threats like "you better stop your campaigning for X, or else";"Or else, what?";Click,caller hangs up Back then,all talk;Now people get hurt.Leaving cars on the GWB is dangerous business;being stuck there many times you can feel the bridge swaying with the stationery weight;Christie was long known for his stupidity&bullying;living in north Jersey,you read the NY papers;always news of trump,his properties,his mafia connections,his atlantic city casino;rip offs all;try telling trumpsters about his legacy of cheating,they can't hear you;they're brainwashed by republican lying news called fox;Kristof's investigation of trump's immigrant grandfather shows he started as a barber but got the big money from his houses of prostitution;sort of puts trumps behavior in focus&makes the Steele Dossier totally believable;trump's hate of Obama&his sick need to obliterate all of Obama's good also lends credibility to his "washing' away the better man's persona;but trumpsters are willing to let trump destroy democracy daily with his dictatorial executive orders&the corrupt republican congress are silent to the bone,objecting to nothing trump does because they need those lobbyists "donations" to feather their multiple nests;No more petitions, no more calls, no more tweets, it's time to OCCUPY CONGRESS AND TAKE BACK DEMOCRACY.
6
Looks like we're heading for the worst of both worlds! How nice.
The modern day Mafia is indeed in the White House. What will it take and how long will it take to get them is a very serious challenge to a continued Democracy.
46
I refuse to believe that a case could not be made against Chris Christie.
The prosecution was obviously more concerned about "shooting and missing" than trying to seek justice. That was gutless, there is no other way to say it.
I'm not saying that Baroni and Kelly didn't deserve to be punished, but it strains credulity and all logic that Christie wasn't involved up to his eyeballs.
That case and the prosecution stinks more than Jersey Swampland.
The prosecution was obviously more concerned about "shooting and missing" than trying to seek justice. That was gutless, there is no other way to say it.
I'm not saying that Baroni and Kelly didn't deserve to be punished, but it strains credulity and all logic that Christie wasn't involved up to his eyeballs.
That case and the prosecution stinks more than Jersey Swampland.
65
Chris Christie is such a controlling type that I'm sure he knows the number of rolls of toilet paper in the office supply room. The idea that he didn't know about Bridgegate before, during and after beggars credulity.
That being said, the one positive thing I can say about this disaster is that it spawned a new phrase in our house: When contemplating the future of a situation, we now say:
"We'll close that bridge when we come to it."
Hey - at least there's that.
NOT my president
That being said, the one positive thing I can say about this disaster is that it spawned a new phrase in our house: When contemplating the future of a situation, we now say:
"We'll close that bridge when we come to it."
Hey - at least there's that.
NOT my president
37
Trump not only didn't "drain the swamp," he turned it into a sewage plant holding pond.
46
Bridget Anne Kelly , "[n]ear penniless ... faces 18 months in federal prison."
Well boo-hoo. Would that all such mean, corrupted tools would suffer such an appropriate fate. Starting with christie and our current pr*esident.
Well boo-hoo. Would that all such mean, corrupted tools would suffer such an appropriate fate. Starting with christie and our current pr*esident.
27
The Republican politicians seem to be embracing the all the worst stereotypes with such pride. They show open contempt for black and muslim politicians like Obama and Kahn, just because they're black or muslim — in short they're bigots (with all the evidence in, do we need to continue to pretend they're not?) Causing traffic jams, thus traffic accidents, delayed ambulances, unsafe conditions for school children on their commute (For that's what "Bridgegate" was—all that) Kushner suggests is "bad ass". I'm sorry the word for that attitude is "mob". Crimes committed to show off one's power are not governance of any kind. Christie had his underlings slaughtered to save his skin and Kushner admires those sort of actions? And the lawyer who helped him throw everyone else under the bus so he wouldn't have to take responsibility for what he'd done gets to be the next head of the FBI/ Wolves minding the hen house indeed. Where is the outrage here? His nomination must be stopped, and Kushner must go.
80
Pure Evil.
46
...anybody considering a position with the Trump administration should seriously look at the fate of Christie aides who didn't have the legal firepower or state-funding for their defense...
62
@Marc,
I feel some grief for Kelly, obviously a pawn sacrifice in this political chess game, fed to the sharks so the whales could evade their day in court, and any legal comeuppance they so richly deserved.
As I recall, she thought being hired by the governor's office a coup, her lucky break. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
It reminds me of the lyrics of a McCartney song.
"That was your first mistake
You took your lucky break and broke it in two
Now, what can be done for you?
You broke it in two …".
although, in this case, it broke her in two.
I feel some grief for Kelly, obviously a pawn sacrifice in this political chess game, fed to the sharks so the whales could evade their day in court, and any legal comeuppance they so richly deserved.
As I recall, she thought being hired by the governor's office a coup, her lucky break. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
It reminds me of the lyrics of a McCartney song.
"That was your first mistake
You took your lucky break and broke it in two
Now, what can be done for you?
You broke it in two …".
although, in this case, it broke her in two.
6
Trump draining the swamp? Haha
He just enlarged and remodeled the swamp to now include New Jersey.
And what a huge, beautiful, gold plated swamp it is, as only the great Trump could build, spanning D.C., New Jersey, and reaching all the way to Moscow! Impressive!
Trump and Christie? The Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum of politics.
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Tweedle_Dee_and_Tweedle_Dum
He just enlarged and remodeled the swamp to now include New Jersey.
And what a huge, beautiful, gold plated swamp it is, as only the great Trump could build, spanning D.C., New Jersey, and reaching all the way to Moscow! Impressive!
Trump and Christie? The Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum of politics.
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Tweedle_Dee_and_Tweedle_Dum
31
Remember during the campaign when Trump said of course Christie knew about Bridgegate? That has to be one of the handful of true statements Trump has ever uttered.
37
Wray's firm represents Rozneft and Gazprom, two of the entities involved in the Russia inquiry, including the Trump dossier issue. This is probably why he has been chosen to head the FBI. That connection bothers me more than Bridgegate.
142
This may be the most important comment on this story. It should have made it into the Times's Picks. The web of corruption and Russian involvement grows thicker.
Christie of Brigdegate
Governor Christie, long past time you departed
Wherever pols go after ambitions are thwarted,
Goodbye to you Christie who once was weight listed
A heavy in Jersey but with Brigdegate he whiffed it,
Best outcome for Chris he just slipped past the pen,
No indictment or trial – as a pol not a gem.
Governor Christie, long past time you departed
Wherever pols go after ambitions are thwarted,
Goodbye to you Christie who once was weight listed
A heavy in Jersey but with Brigdegate he whiffed it,
Best outcome for Chris he just slipped past the pen,
No indictment or trial – as a pol not a gem.
The most fascinating element of this Bridgegate disaster is Bridget Anne Kelly. Both her name and being the starter of this problem through her words "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" are made for a Hollywood movie. Would sell well - give her 10% to keep her out of future trouble.
5
Trumps main reason to keep Christie is the picture frame is because comparatively speaking Trump looks swath and normal. However, as Trump eats himself (nightly) through the White House kitchen the two are beginning to look like they're on par and could easily seesaw together.
13
The picture of Trump and Christie shaking hands is a perfect, yet repulsive illustration of the corruption that has invaded our democracy.
I would not say that the blood-sport culture wormed its way into the trump administration. trump and his minions were doing blood-sport when Christie was still teething. The only difference is that Christie came to politics earlier. Regardless, Christie and trump have spent their careers racing to the bottom independently; together, they may find the bottom at warp-speed.
15
Since we have to have a government, I'd just assume they all spoke the same language because who knows what kind of problems would arise strictly from translation problems. As it is, they're bad enough already, who needs more? If at the end of this Comey thing that turns out to be the case, the damage caused by the chase may be irreparable and for what? Wounded pride? Sulking only makes it worse.
1
First Jeremy Peters' article about fake news and then on to this story. It makes you sick to your stomach. What will Mr. Wray's vision for the FBI be? Truth and justice for all, or ply the system to benefit the powerful?
15
It is likely that we have a primordial aversion to the slimey, tentacled multi-legged and multi-eyed creatures that live beneath rocks. Thus Katz and Bernstein's description of NJ-NY politics seems like the turning over of a rock for the purpose of seeing such revolting creatures who lack human decency and empathy, and it is absolutely revolting! Naturally these foul creatures would gravitate towards the pestilential trump, and we must remain aware of their existence and of the dire consequences of the metastases they throw off into out institutions of government.
We hope for a President, and all we got is this lousy pestilence.
We hope for a President, and all we got is this lousy pestilence.
7
No matter where you travel, from small town to big city, somehow the lowlifes always know where to find each other. Is it by sight or smell? So, it's no surprise that the Trump administration is being staffed by the lowest of the low, a clangorous hive of incompetence, ignorance and treachery. At least now, we've finally got them all in one place.
15
I wonder how Regina Egea, Chris Christie's Chief of Staff, was rewarded. She was once a VP for AT&T, who mysteriously could not locate the 12 missing texts.
No wonder Jared Kushner enjoyed hearing of the shutdown. He operates from the same playbook as Christie and his father-in-law. If there is Justice, this house of cards will fall down upon them all.
No wonder Jared Kushner enjoyed hearing of the shutdown. He operates from the same playbook as Christie and his father-in-law. If there is Justice, this house of cards will fall down upon them all.
27
Appoint the defense attorney for Chris Christie to head the F.B.I. That makes perfect sense. Why didn't I think of it? In all honesty though, most people's reaction to Christopher Wray was Christopher who? It took several days of investigation for his lack of qualifications and questionable history to come out in public. I believe the initial reports were optimistic. Wishful thinking in the Trump era.
The only useful questions right now are: Will Christopher Wray be granted a confirmation hearing and will that hearing lead to confirmation? There's some very good arguments why he may never get to the second question. I'll throw out the easy one: Why would you allow a President under allegations of obstruction of justice appoint the head of our legal investigative department? Trump can't politically get rid of Robert Mueller so he's allowed to taint the collection of evidence? That makes about as much sense as a drive-up only ATM with braille lettered buttons. Are Republicans really going to let this one walk? Sounds more like a funeral march if you ask me.
The only useful questions right now are: Will Christopher Wray be granted a confirmation hearing and will that hearing lead to confirmation? There's some very good arguments why he may never get to the second question. I'll throw out the easy one: Why would you allow a President under allegations of obstruction of justice appoint the head of our legal investigative department? Trump can't politically get rid of Robert Mueller so he's allowed to taint the collection of evidence? That makes about as much sense as a drive-up only ATM with braille lettered buttons. Are Republicans really going to let this one walk? Sounds more like a funeral march if you ask me.
26
The real horror of all of this is the fact that Americans voted in a Republican house and senate. Despite being trapped in this disastrous situation, I can't help but marvel at the utter stupidity of those who voted in their Republican representatives, or in this case, non-representatives. As they defund planned parent, abolish the Dodd-Frank act, destroy our chances of competing on world stage in renewal energy development, and help wreck the environment. I have to wonder at the sheer spitefulness of folks furious because we elected an African-American president twice. You really have no idea of what you did unless you are of the top 5% and then you are just laughing at those voters while you rob them blind and destroy the lives of their children.
136
Isn’t it amazing how some workers can vote to put republicans in office?
Republicans serve the capitalist elites in their economic fight with labour over how to split national income and build up personal wealth.
Republicans serve the capitalist elites in their economic fight with labour over how to split national income and build up personal wealth.
6
Sordid. No other word for all of this. Time to take a shower!
56
Funny how these dodgy characters fine themeles.
when ill Trump make Christie the Secretary of Cone Removal
and Lane Closures?
when ill Trump make Christie the Secretary of Cone Removal
and Lane Closures?
9
These guys are so much worse than Hillary Clinton's self-inflicting privacy concerns or the DNC's warm feelings for a lifetime Democrat.
50
A Normal New York City Conversation
Trump and Christie,
Peas in a Pod,
or rather Ketchup on Steaks,
is it just me or will they go down
in history as failures each,
lying cheats, about whom God will state:
"Time for some traffic problems before
you reach the pearly gates."
Trump and Christie,
Peas in a Pod,
or rather Ketchup on Steaks,
is it just me or will they go down
in history as failures each,
lying cheats, about whom God will state:
"Time for some traffic problems before
you reach the pearly gates."
16
Perhaps Chris Wray is really Fay Wray, soon to be in the clutches of Donald King Kong Trump. That will be the subject of "normal New York City conversation."
9
Tim Curry as Professor Frank N. Furter...
(Sigh) "whatever happened to Fay Wray?"
(Sigh) "whatever happened to Fay Wray?"
2
"Rules? In a knife fight? No rules!" Harvey Logan, "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid"
“What mattered in the campaign was winning. We did.” Steve Bannon in a WSJ interview
“What mattered in the campaign was winning. We did.” Steve Bannon in a WSJ interview
23
Like every other republican Christie fancies himself as a man of the people. I wonder who he thought he was inconveniencing with his lane closures - not him that's for sure! No it was me trying to get to work and coming home from work along with everyone already taxed with rush hour inconveniences. Some pigs are more equal than others I guess.
26
Bridgegate = America's future.
77
Well, I am pretty sure that the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee will spend what little time Upchuck Grassley grants them questioning Wray about Bridgegate.
7
But in the end, under cover of darkness provided by the GOP, (and with majority in the Senate) will be approved. Then Trump will have "dinner" with Wray and this time the "loyalty" oath will be taken. Meanwhile in other (unrelated) news, Trump and family net worth is a few billion more than it was short months ago.
10
Oh, the stench! How on earth can so many ignore it?
31
Would someone give this irritant a job...out of the public sector
so I don't have to hear his blizzard of rationalizations every again............
The guy is just about out of work and he's already been thrown under the bus
by trump......what does he think is coming his way from DC?.....Jared will vote a definitive NO......unless he ends up in the clinker just like Dad...........
Go away....please go away....
so I don't have to hear his blizzard of rationalizations every again............
The guy is just about out of work and he's already been thrown under the bus
by trump......what does he think is coming his way from DC?.....Jared will vote a definitive NO......unless he ends up in the clinker just like Dad...........
Go away....please go away....
5
At least in Illinois our governors are sent to prison!
90
I hope Trump gets locked up.
16
Chris Christie does not and can not speak for New York.
He is a creature from NJ and should keep to the West side of the Hudson.
He is a creature from NJ and should keep to the West side of the Hudson.
7
I'm from NY but please let us not defame New Jersey!
Mr. Christie rather belongs on an island-- Rikers.
(lock him up!)
Mr. Christie rather belongs on an island-- Rikers.
(lock him up!)
12
Drain the swamp? Right. The swamp is infinitely more slimy and is getting more so by the day.
11
More swamp draining, apparently.
7
Lock them all up - one big cell - Charlie, Jared, Chis and maybe even the HUGE Cheese himself. it will, of course, be the BEST jail cell. Bigly!
26
Jared Kushner's comment about Bridgegate as "kind of badass" is the most revealing bit of Trump's trusted son-in-law that we've seen to date.
It also reason enough to disqualify him from any government position.
It also reason enough to disqualify him from any government position.
226
Not charging Christi or even siting any wrong doing in the Brudgegate scandal is one of the biggest or perhaps the biggest travesty of justice in the history of NJ Government.
16
So this is "Draining the Swamp"? This is yet one more instance of @potus blatantly playing his followers for fools, stringing along his cronies, and giving the rest of the nation the finger.
6
As the poet laureate of New Joisey memorably put it:
"My machine she's a dud,
I'm stuck in the mud,
Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey."
"My machine she's a dud,
I'm stuck in the mud,
Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey."
3
Thick as thieves. Interesting how the Kushner/Christie enmity may play out.
6
It's okay, Trump and the Republicans are making Bridgegate look like child's play.
17
This is obviously deeply concerning, but not surprising. Who else would Trump get to work for him? "Drain the swamp" was the greatest Orwellian masterstroke. Trump projects onto others what he is himself, or diversions as to what he himself will do (think Al Gore's meeting at Trump Tower). The swamp has never been so full of low-life mobster types.
11
Left, right, makes no difference---Christie and Trump are both socially primitive men. As to their friendship, no one knows the needs of a narcissist like another narcissist.
As candidates, Trump and Christie spoke, respectively, of prosecuting Mrs. Clinton and Planned Parenthood. Now, it is clear both of those men should be prosecuted.
12
If your job references include Christie, you might want to rethink your Career Path. Just saying.
15
So if trump's goal is to destroy the faith of the American public in the FBI to further the goals of autocratic leadership, the best guy for the job is Chris Wray?
9
The lawyer who helped Christie avoid jail should not be appointed to run the FBI. The world is laughing at Trump and the U.S.....why give them more to laugh at?
25
Wow, these NY/NJ heavyweights, ain't they just great!
1
The level of corruption through granting favors, playing fast and loose with ethics, and using hardball payback is legendary in the metropolitan area. It is no holds barred, just one step above extortion. Use of charity foundations for kickbacks; hiring relatives; type of thing. It has gone on since Rome, and this local area, today, is its epicenter in America.
It has laid waste to the credibility of our government and turned citizens into cynical pawns. That Christie's thugs people this Administration is apt; that Christie was shot behind the ear by Kushner as payback for his father's imprisonment is equally apt. They deserve each other and their lack of ethics and loyalty only to themselves and to cash will be their undoing God willing.
It has laid waste to the credibility of our government and turned citizens into cynical pawns. That Christie's thugs people this Administration is apt; that Christie was shot behind the ear by Kushner as payback for his father's imprisonment is equally apt. They deserve each other and their lack of ethics and loyalty only to themselves and to cash will be their undoing God willing.
7
Thanks to Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein for this excellent summary of Christie/Bridgegate that’s gone on for so long. And for relating it to today’s Trump/Comey conflict. Same psychology. We don’t know what kind of ‘gate’ that will worsen into eventually.
See the Christie Tracker blog/podcast that ran on WNYC.org for all the past developments.
Christie is one of Tsar Trump’s courtiers, who rationalize anything he does---it’s all ‘normal’ to their mentality. The Trump/Christie mafia type culture operates according to its own arrogant norms of power.
If you oppose them, they get more aggressive. If you don’t oppose them, they just take what they want. Pretty simple.
See the Christie Tracker blog/podcast that ran on WNYC.org for all the past developments.
Christie is one of Tsar Trump’s courtiers, who rationalize anything he does---it’s all ‘normal’ to their mentality. The Trump/Christie mafia type culture operates according to its own arrogant norms of power.
If you oppose them, they get more aggressive. If you don’t oppose them, they just take what they want. Pretty simple.
10
Mr. Wray has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. He'll be ridiculed publicly. Be patient, the midterms are coming.
9
That is assuming the that the Dems make significant gains. So far they have not been that impressive, surely a bad sign.
We have to look a Ossoff in Georgia. If he can win it will be a good sign of for the Dems, because they have yet to show much interest in local races, at least not until it was too late.
We have to look a Ossoff in Georgia. If he can win it will be a good sign of for the Dems, because they have yet to show much interest in local races, at least not until it was too late.
1
Nothing succeeds like failure for the GOP. From Nixon's gang to Iran-Contra to the Iraq debacle, the GOP maintains a warm bench of insipid operatives always willing to sell their country down the river, then fall on their swords.
Bridgegate is standard operating procedure for the GOP.
Bridgegate is standard operating procedure for the GOP.
8
"O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!"
8
Pretty thin credentials for FBI Director. We can do better.
I am sorry, but Wray has defended the indefensible, protecting crooks from prosecution. And now we expect this champion of crooks and criminals to become the law and order guy to head the FBI.
Please tell me this is just a horrible 6 month nightmare that I'll wake-up from soon.
Please tell me this is just a horrible 6 month nightmare that I'll wake-up from soon.
11
You seem to impugn the character of Mr Wray, for representing Gov Christie in Bridgegate. Obviously, Mr Wray did a superb job representing this reprehensible human slimeball, but Mr Wray's character is not diminished by simply fulfilling his duty to represent his client as best as he could. At the end of the day, even the lowliest among us should get legal counsel.
4
It doesn't help that his law firm also has Russian clients, who seem to always to turn up whenever Trump is involved.
By hey, it is a good sign that at least four prestigious law firms have declined to represent Mr. Trump. Even high-powered law firms have standards.
By hey, it is a good sign that at least four prestigious law firms have declined to represent Mr. Trump. Even high-powered law firms have standards.
14
Yea,....they like to be paid !!
5
NO to wray as FBI Director. This nomination stinks to high heaven.
Christie says that he did not hear of the mess at the George Washington Bridge for three days.
The bridge was at the top of the news and on every traffic report. Radio stations WCBS and WINS alone have 6 traffic reports per hour. That's 288 reports per day just from these two radio outlets. WFAN, the station that he appears of frequently has 3 traffic reports per hour.
You mean to tell me that that what Christie claims about not hearing what was going on at the GW for three days has any veracity?
The bridge was at the top of the news and on every traffic report. Radio stations WCBS and WINS alone have 6 traffic reports per hour. That's 288 reports per day just from these two radio outlets. WFAN, the station that he appears of frequently has 3 traffic reports per hour.
You mean to tell me that that what Christie claims about not hearing what was going on at the GW for three days has any veracity?
27
No more veracity than Presidential candidate Christie bragging about his superior "management skills," except when he had no idea, no idea at all, what his superiorly managed underlings were up to. Thoroughly incredible.
6
Why wasn't Christie personally responsible for his legal fees?
"What have you done for me lately?" politics between Trump and Christie is de rigueur for New York/New Jersey transactions of the wurst kind. Jared Kushner is another worm who has appeared since the mastermind of Bridgegate in 2013, David Wildstein - who was his former exec VP of Kushner's Observer Media Group - now faces 2+ years in prison for epically snarling commuter traffic on the George Washington Bridge just for political sport.
To further the ball of worms, Chris Christie sent Jared Kushner's father to prison when he, Christie, was US Attorney in N.J. Alas, Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's former deputy Chief of staff - who wrote the ne'er forgotten "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" email, is facing 18 months in federal prison, though she was obviously not the brains behind Bridgegate.
Now Christoper Wray is President Trump's F.B.I. Director nominee. And we know how Christie loves Trump and so wished to be on Trump's team from here to eternity. Didn't happen. Christopher Wray saved Christie's bacon in Bridgegate. Happily, there is no way that Wray will save Trump's bacon in Trumpgate, 2017. As Sir Walter Scott wrote in Marmion in 1808, "What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!".
To further the ball of worms, Chris Christie sent Jared Kushner's father to prison when he, Christie, was US Attorney in N.J. Alas, Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's former deputy Chief of staff - who wrote the ne'er forgotten "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" email, is facing 18 months in federal prison, though she was obviously not the brains behind Bridgegate.
Now Christoper Wray is President Trump's F.B.I. Director nominee. And we know how Christie loves Trump and so wished to be on Trump's team from here to eternity. Didn't happen. Christopher Wray saved Christie's bacon in Bridgegate. Happily, there is no way that Wray will save Trump's bacon in Trumpgate, 2017. As Sir Walter Scott wrote in Marmion in 1808, "What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!".
5
And one other thing: don't get too comfortable down in Washington, boys. Andy Cuomo is waiting in the wings to bring his travelling shown to town.
3
Andy has problems of his own. His hands are not all that clean. Remember he shot down the Moreland Commission, which he created, to investigate corruption in the Albany. That is just for starters.
4
There are very few bad actors to whom Trump and family are not attracted.
11
It seems the only woman involved, who sold her soul to play with the big boys, was thrown out like garbage while the good 'old boys advanced their careers.
15
I feel bad for her. She is a single mom with four kids. Christie & Co. better take good care of them for Ms. Kelly's taking the fall for all of them.
3
It's 2017 and the rest of America still doesn't care about a traffic jam. Corruption in NJ politics is nothing new. Time to move on...
1
They did not worm their way into Trumpcamp. They were welcomed by like-minded vultures planning their next feast.
8
Shorter version: the Sopranos, political edition.
17
Christie and Trump's "normal New York conversation" and cutthroat reward-and-punish style of politics earned Rod Blagpjevich an impeachment and 14 year Federal sentence.
5
Why has politics become a haven for disordered, antisocial personalities? Is it because our culture allowed it to become a cabal of professional grifters? Was it simply sloth or did something curdle within us?
182
Television and Hollywood dumbed down Americans. Right wing politicians saw the new soft underbelly of ignorance. Voila!
2
Some people, names withheld to protect the innocent, believe politician is the favored vocation for those bearing the worst of character traits. Kind of post-graduate work for attorneys and the occasional non-attorney with similar outlook.
1
We've been curdled by FOX, Breitbart, and the entire right wing conspiracy of truly "fake" news. Too much of the country believes the lies they are fed by the "vast right wing conspiracy" that actually does exist. See front page of the NYTimes today, and behold the latest version of conspiracy theorist. Now, with the explosion of the internet, where fact checking is beside the point, we have spurred the creation of a corrupt kleptocracy, like the Trumps and their web of disordered antisocial personalities. The question is what is the route back to facts, truth, ethics and morality? Can't the great promoters of the internet, the Silicone Valley billionaires, help us?
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Finally Trump sends Christie a gift more significant than other hires he's made from Christie's team. A fitting thing after all the favors Christie has done for Trump.
Thank you to Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein for this excellent summary of Christie/Bridgegate that’s gone on for so long. And for relating it to today’s Trump/Comey conflict. Same psychology. We don’t know what kind of ‘gate’ that will worsen into eventually.
See the Christie Tracker blog/podcast that ran on WNYC.org for all the past developments.
Christie is one of Tsar Trump’s courtiers, who rationalize anything he does---it’s all ‘normal’ to their mentality. The Trump/Christie mafia type culture operates according to its own arrogant norms of power.
If you oppose them, they get more aggressive. If you don’t oppose them, they just take what they want. Pretty simple.
See the Christie Tracker blog/podcast that ran on WNYC.org for all the past developments.
Christie is one of Tsar Trump’s courtiers, who rationalize anything he does---it’s all ‘normal’ to their mentality. The Trump/Christie mafia type culture operates according to its own arrogant norms of power.
If you oppose them, they get more aggressive. If you don’t oppose them, they just take what they want. Pretty simple.
10
Reading this reinforced my disgust at the administration and the Republican Party. Christie is the embodiment of sleaze and corruption; Trump is the embodiment of thuggery and greed. A match made in heaven. But much of the party shares some or all of these characteristics as well as the values displayed by these two. Just look at Ryan and McConnell as well as numerous others and you get a picture of a party out of control, obsessed with using its power to enrich itself at the expense of the country. Democracy is meaningless to them.
104
Not only is democracy meaningless to them, so are we citizens if the USA.
What Mr Christie calls "normal New York City conversation" is characteristic of a subset of New Yorkers- a different breed from most. Most New Yorkers are wise to this species of con men; thankfully, most are not like them. I suspect that this is why Trump lost New York state, especially the city. The rest of the country is catching on, just not fast enough!
40
Helpful article to point out that others close to Christie and Bridgegate ended up in the Trump WH. Christie was head of Trump's transition team from May 2016 to Jan 2017. Mr Wray was at Christie's side in 2014, and Mr Christie was finally cleared from all Bridgegate prosecution in Jan 2017. Are we to believe that Mr Christie was ignorant of Russian influence swirling around the Trump campaign and transition team? Christie did well to avoid prosecution, no doubt he owes Mr Wray his loyalty. Isn't Mr Wray constrained by loyalty and attorney client privilege to Christie?
11
It looks as though we live in a mafia-like environment where sharks respect each other for the feast at hand; Christie should have been indicted, as he was involved in Bridgegate. And Mr. Wray was aware of it. Can't we find somebody 'clean' for a change, so the F.B.I. can be trusted again? And trump, of course, could care less about decency.
24
Mr. Wray is severely tainted by his association with Mr. Christie. His nomination should be challenged by the GOP as well as the Dems.
87
You are correct. In fact, no trump nominee should be allowed to lead the FBI. As for Wray, of course he is tainted, doubly. First be his association with Fat Chris, and secondly, by accepting the nomination from trump.
No person with any integrity or morals would choose to work for little Donnie.
No person with any integrity or morals would choose to work for little Donnie.
5
O Joy! The GOP won't challenge anything that might expose their disassembly of all fact based positive accomplishments of the Obama administration. They see that the path is open for lower taxes for the wealthy, more profits for fossil fuel energy companies, hands off corporate degradation of the environment, pulling the plug on public education, and defunding anything that helps people in need get healthcare. This has been their mantra for decades. They will hang on as long as possible, even tolerating Trump the ignorant pretender, if they can get what they really want. And the money will keep flowing from the Koch brothers and their ilk to fund the whole thing. Why, O Joy, would the GOP challenge another one of their favorite kind of weasel?
It seems to me that the US Attorney (former now) for NJ should be under investigation for letting Stepien and Mowers off the hook, especially given what you have reported about them.
9
The biggest public works project of recent history. Moving the swamp from Trenton to Washington. And who said infrastructure won't get done in the first 100 days?
21
One other important comparison should be made between Bridgegate and the Trump/Russia/Comey situation. Christie's popularity plummeted as a function of the fact that voters realized he either did not know what his own staff was doing or he did know. In either case Christie failed the people of New Jersey. Trump's staff of Manafort, Sessions, Kushner, Page, Flynn, Stone, etc. we're either directed to contact the Russians by Trump or he didn't know they were all in touch with the Russians. Either way Trump is a failure or worse, a traitor. Someday soon some reporter or commentator will begin asking the questions...why didn't Trump know? How could he not have known? Was his staff coordinating their Russian contacts? Why did Flynn, Sessions and Kushner all lie at hearings and/or in security screens? Who will flip on Trump or will they all find themselves under the wheels of the Trump bus? It won't be long, perhaps a year or so.
58
Cheap journalism at best. Christopher Wray has an excellent record, he was one of the signers of a King & Spalding letter that highly recommended Sally Yates as Deputy Attorney General. Further he worked closely with both Mueller and Comey during the Bush Administration and was willing to stand with both of them when they both threatened to resign in protest over a surveillance program. I’m a solid Democrat and find Trump to be unqualified to be President. But for once he nominated someone who, from what I read, is apolitical and well experienced to take on the difficult task of FBI Director.
When you associate him with Christy, Trump, and Kushner in the manner you did, it gives the appearance that because he represents Christy he must be like them. He’s an attorney and I’m confident that Christy chose him because of his credentials. What I know about attorneys is, as professionals, they have an obligation to represent so long as there is no conflict.
If you’re going to write stuff like this show some balance. Your headline “Bridgegate Lives” can give readers the impression that Mr. Wray was somehow involved in that sordid mess.
When you associate him with Christy, Trump, and Kushner in the manner you did, it gives the appearance that because he represents Christy he must be like them. He’s an attorney and I’m confident that Christy chose him because of his credentials. What I know about attorneys is, as professionals, they have an obligation to represent so long as there is no conflict.
If you’re going to write stuff like this show some balance. Your headline “Bridgegate Lives” can give readers the impression that Mr. Wray was somehow involved in that sordid mess.
7
Although I despise Christie, Mr. Wray is another matter. One should not confuse the lawyer for a person with the person. Are lawyers for murderers considered to be murderers or co-conspirators too? Of course not. It is unfair and ignorant to conclude that Wray has some responsibility for Bridgegate.
Cherrylog is correct. That everyone is entitled to be represented by a lawyer in court in criminal matters is fundamental to our system of justice. By the way, I am a Democrat, but fair is fair.
Cherrylog is correct. That everyone is entitled to be represented by a lawyer in court in criminal matters is fundamental to our system of justice. By the way, I am a Democrat, but fair is fair.
4
Re: "But for once he nominated someone who, from what I read, is apolitical and well experienced to take on the difficult task of FBI Director."
What did you read? What I read says Wray is and was a lawyer. Does Wray have any experience or training in law enforcement at all? If not, how could he possibly be qualified to direct the FBI?
What did you read? What I read says Wray is and was a lawyer. Does Wray have any experience or training in law enforcement at all? If not, how could he possibly be qualified to direct the FBI?
2
Re: "One should not confuse the lawyer for a person with the person."
Yes, but neither should one confuse a lawyer with an expert in in law enforcement. What makes Wray in any way qualified?
Yes, but neither should one confuse a lawyer with an expert in in law enforcement. What makes Wray in any way qualified?
3
How and why did things get so bad? Everywhere you look it appears things are run with incompetence at best and mob-style at worst.
It's exhausting, depressing, and demoralizing.
I wonder how Mr. Mueller views this nomination? The rank and file FBI?
Is Wray, an ethically-challenged defence counsel, likely to be confirmed? The talking heads haven't been saying much.
It's exhausting, depressing, and demoralizing.
I wonder how Mr. Mueller views this nomination? The rank and file FBI?
Is Wray, an ethically-challenged defence counsel, likely to be confirmed? The talking heads haven't been saying much.
This piece only reinforces what everyone in their hearts already believes. It also highlights the crassness and arrogance of all the Christie and Trump players.
And having said that, we are stuck with them because their electorates are basically ignorant.
And having said that, we are stuck with them because their electorates are basically ignorant.
18
The same dark magic that holds Christie in thrall to Trump seems to hold Trump in thrall to Putin. Is it merely leverage in the form of knowledge that could embarrass or imprison or do bullies have a deep desire to be dominated by someone they perceive as stronger, meaner, more narcissistic and more amoral?
8
Immoral to the receivers, the citizens...
Amoral to the perpetrators without moral sense, The Escapees of Bridgegate now in DC while loyal Kelly goes to jail for 18 months and her children suffer...Shakespearean in scope
Amoral to the perpetrators without moral sense, The Escapees of Bridgegate now in DC while loyal Kelly goes to jail for 18 months and her children suffer...Shakespearean in scope
6
Trump admires other dictators too, besides Putin. It's an ego thing---this crowd identifies with strength and power. Dictators thru history have shown their contempt for democracy which is for the weak, and thus interferes with the strong realizing their superiority. It's a superior vs inferior thing. Like the Ayn Rand philosophy acted out in our politics. Nasty stuff.
"Mr. Wray, Trump's nominee for the FBI, kept Mr. Christie's cell phone out of the hands of prosecutors"... Isn't that obstruction of justice? I guess Chris Christie is recommending Mr. Wray to Trump because Mr. Wray is part of the twisted politics of New Jersey. It is outrageous that Mr. Christie is still governor of New Jersey. We should not forget that birds of a feather flock together, so an association Trump/Christie is no surprise and that has nothing to do with normal New York/New Jersey conversation.
11
In any normal era, facts revealed in this article would be considered seriously troubling. Unfortunately, it is small stuff compared to everything else that is going on with this administration. What's a little bit of corruption compared to the lies and self dealing that occur in the White House on a daily basis?
9
Christie is a joke - lot of big talks, but no substance. He has similar flair as the liar king con man. Christie was able to fool the people of NJ to get elected. At the end, the State went down the tube under his Governorship. He and liar king are alike in many ways and for the same, they became buddies. Christie's ambitions are boundless like the con man. He was doing well before he was booted out by Jared. What goes around comes around. It seems like con man's fate is driving down the same way as Christie. People are recognizing liar king's true color. The child bully manufactures lies after lies to distract the public. Now it is catching up. Governance require thoughtfulness and diligence which he has none.
7
With this info about who Mr. Wray is, his confirmation should be denied.
7
Bridgegate ended the presidential aspirations of Chris Christie, and that was a good thing. Now that I see the survivors of bridgegate helping to prop up the presidency of Donald Trump, I can only shake on his head. How long must this travesty go on?
163
I was living in NYC at the time of Bridgegate. I believe that there was no way that Christie did not know about, if not order, it. In addition to inconvenience for ordinary motorists, emergency vehicles were unable to use the bridge. Lives were put at risk. I have little pity for those convicted in connection with Bridgegate. But I have complete disdain for Christie. He deserves to dwell in the political wilderness, if not in jail.
241
Herbert Hoover, Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, and last (and least?) that one-time prime candidate for GOP presidential nominee, Chris Christie. Remember all the Republican enthusiasm for a possible Christie candidacy in 2012, when Chris proclaimed himself "not ready"? He was right as rain on that one. If only the Donald had followed Christie's example.
Even after having presented us with such worthies, the GOP today controls the executive and legislative branches of our democratic republic.
Call to mind all of these "flowers," some gone, some still very much with us. Now let's all sing:
"Long time passing.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?"
Even after having presented us with such worthies, the GOP today controls the executive and legislative branches of our democratic republic.
Call to mind all of these "flowers," some gone, some still very much with us. Now let's all sing:
"Long time passing.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?"
65
It's very unfair that only Kelly and Wildstein were indicted. Whatever happen to other higher up participants?
153
This is a land governed by laws, not people. How can you ask a question like that? They are, obviously, innocent. All higher-ups are innocent unless proven to have very, very bad publicity.
90
For some reason the article omits the third individual who was also convicted in Bridgegate. Bill Baroni, who served as deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will spend two years behind bars and must do 500 hours of community service.
His conviction is currently on appeal.
His conviction is currently on appeal.
7
Bill Baroni was also indicted.
2
An important article. And lest we forget, after 9/11 Wray in the FBI favored flexibility over civil liberties.
131
And just a reminder in case anyone has forgotten the details...
Chris Christie's legal defense cost the taxpayers of NJ more than $11 million.
Chris Christie's legal defense cost the taxpayers of NJ more than $11 million.
395
And worse, the firm that Christie picked to investigate-- Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher-- did not even prepare full transcripts of the interviews they did, only lawyer's notes, which they did not retain. US District Court Judge Susan WIgenton wrote, " Although GDC did not delete or shred documents, the process of overwriting their interview notes and drafts of the summaries had the same effect. This was a clever tactic, but when public investigations are involved, straightforward lawyering is superior to calculated strategy."
And Christie himself was interviewed by a GDC attorney who was a personal friend; the two had even gone with their family vacations together!
And Christie himself was interviewed by a GDC attorney who was a personal friend; the two had even gone with their family vacations together!
175
While I have little sympathy for those who were convicted, it seems a serious miscarriage of justice to not have at least brought Chris Christie to trial. The best one can hope for now is for him to join the Trump administration so the destruction of his reputation is complete.
290
Christie was Trump's first choice. His job was to oversee the transition. What better choice than the master of plausible denial. Obviously he taught Trump how to get away with wrongdoing by hiring only the most corruptible loyalists and then just let them do their thing. Then if you get caught as the Bridgegate perpetrators were, you can walk away saying you knew nothing, as Christie did.
32
“Testimony revealed Mr. Christie was made aware of key details of the plot while it was being carried out.”
Why is Mr. Christie allowed to remain as Governor?
Why is Mr. Christie allowed to remain as Governor?
344
Because we have a government of laws, not people. The law, as interpreted by the powerful to favor themselves (obviously) and their patrons, governs the people.
43
Corruption.
3
It's New Jersey . . .
7
Christie, Christie
My eyes misty
Trump you so worship,
Now inside
Your wiles applied
Boarded a sinking ship.
My eyes misty
Trump you so worship,
Now inside
Your wiles applied
Boarded a sinking ship.
158
Excellent summation. That several of the key players in Bridgegate are still walking around free, and have even better jobs now, is mind boggling. John Gotti would be prowd of this crew.
8