Chris Christie: Jared Kushner ‘deserves the scrutiny’ he’s getting in Russia inquiry – By Daniel Chaitin (washingtonexaminer.com) / Dec 19 2017
Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., said Tuesday that President Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner “deserves the scrutiny” he’s getting as part of the investigations into the Trump campaign’s ties with Russia, but condemned the media for appearing to pre-judge individuals involved in the matter.
Christie talked about Kushner during a sometimes-contentious interview on MSNBC.
“I’m telling you that he deserves the scrutiny, you know why?” Christie said of Kushner. “Because he was involved in the transition and involved in meetings that call into question his role.”
Kushner is being looked at by special counsel Robert Mueller and congressional panels which are investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. He was pressed on reportedly asking former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn to contact the Russian government during the transition period.
Flynn pleaded guilty at the beginning of this month to lying to the FBI in January about his contacts with the Russian ambassador and has committed to cooperating with Mueller’s team.
Kushner also garnered scrutiny after it was revealed he was in attendance at the 2016 Trump Tower meeting that also included a Russian lawyer and Donald Trump Jr.
Christie also said it is important to let the investigations conclude before determining guilt, and accused members of the media of prejudging.
Christie has previously speculated that Kushner was behind his removal from the Trump transition team. He was replaced by Vice President Mike Pence.
As a former federal prosecutor in the 2000s, Christie played a role in prosecuting Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, in a tax evasion and witness tampering case.
PB/TK – I think somebody’s hangry. Get the emergency Snickers!
