Chris Christie Criticizes Trump's Governing Style

Former New Jersey Governor says Trump "plays checkers, not chess"

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:38pm

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In an appearance on ABC's "This Week", former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized President Donald Trump's governing style, saying that Trump "plays checkers, not chess." Christie argued that Trump makes decisions without considering the broader implications and consequences, leading to a series of problems like the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters

Christie's comments highlight the ongoing tensions and criticisms surrounding Trump's leadership and decision-making process. As a former Republican governor, Christie's perspective carries weight and could influence how others view Trump's competence in managing complex political and policy issues.

The details

During the interview, Christie pointed to the ongoing DHS shutdown and potential issues with airport security lines as examples of Trump's short-sighted approach. He argued that Trump fails to think through the downstream effects of his decisions, such as how a conflict with Iran could force the administration to ease sanctions on Russia and Iran to address resulting gas price increases.

  • The interview aired on ABC's "This Week" on March 22, 2026.

The players

Chris Christie

Former Republican Governor of New Jersey who has been critical of President Trump's leadership style.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose governing approach Christie has described as "playing checkers, not chess."

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What they’re saying

“This is a guy who just looks at what jump he can make today. Does it look if there's a double jump coming in the other direction.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor

The takeaway

Christie's critique of Trump's governing style as short-sighted and lacking in strategic foresight reflects the ongoing debate over the President's competence and decision-making process. As the 2020 election approaches, Trump's ability to effectively manage complex issues could become a key factor for voters.