New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has reportedly turned down at least two offers from the president-elect to serve in his Cabinet in the next administration.
Christie, a top Trump ally, resigned from his post as chairman of the president-elect’s transition operation last month. With the exception of a few sightings at Trump Tower, the Garden State governor has kept a low profile since the demotion.
But sources familiar with the transition team’s efforts said Christie was, in fact, asked if he would serve as Trump’s homeland security or veterans affairs secretary. The sources claim Christie declined both offers.
Christie had also been floated as a top contender to replace incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus as chairman of the Republican National Committee, but reportedly removed himself from the running in order to finish out his second term as governor, according to New Jersey Advance Media.
The news comes just days after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, another Trump loyalist, announced he was no longer a contender for secretary of state.
Many expected Giuliani, Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to secure top posts in the Trump administration because of their steadfast support for the incoming Republican president throughout his general election campaign.
“For some reason, people think I’m equivocal about this, and I’m not. I’m completing my term,” Christie told reporters in late November.
He added, however, that “if something extraordinary happens in the world where my service is needed, I will consider any requests that are made.”
“That’s not being equivocal about it. That’s understanding what the real world is,” he said at the time.
Trump currently has nine key posts left to fill in his administration, including but not limited to: VA secretary, secretary of state, interior secretary and director of national intelligence.
