Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared the Trump era over following sweeping midterm losses that handed Congress to Democrats.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared the “Trump era is over
But Christie also warned Democrats against interpreting Tuesday’s victories as an endorsement of socialism or the party’s most progressive policies.
“The Trump era is over,” Christie told the New York Post following an election that handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
Christie, 64, has been one of President Donald Trump’s most persistent Republican critics and unsuccessfully challenged him for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
“I think there’s a very real and serious chance that the Democrats will overplay their hand — that they will misread [the election],” the former Garden State governor told The Post on Wednesday.
“Let me be clear, I do not believe that the voters last night picked Democrats.”
“This was a repudiation of Trump and the Republican Party,” Christie said.
Democrats ran on ‘affordability,’ but they neglected to deliver on similar promises when they controlled Congress during Joe Biden’s first two years in office, as inflation hit records.
Republicans entered Tuesday controlling both the House and Senate but will become the minority in both chambers when the 120th Congress convenes in January.
Democrats captured more than 30 Republican-held House seats while simultaneously flipping multiple Senate seats.
Christie argued the results demonstrated that Trump’s political influence over Republican candidates had become a liability rather than an advantage.
“The Republican Party needs to move on,” Christie said.
His assessment echoed arguments already emerging among some Republicans following Tuesday’s losses, although GOP leaders have largely remained publicly supportive of Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans intend to work closely with the president after moving into the minority.
“Thankfully, we still have President Trump in the White House, and we’ll work with him to stop the worst impulses of Democrat extremism,” Thune said.
Trump himself adopted a more conciliatory tone immediately after the election, acknowledging Democratic success while suggesting opportunities remain for bipartisan agreements.
“I think the Democrats did a good job,” Trump told Fox News.
“I can work with them on many things,” the president added.
Christie, however, argued Republicans should use the defeat as an opportunity to redefine the party before the 2028 presidential election.
He also cautioned Democrats against drawing overly broad ideological conclusions from their victories.
Christie specifically pointed toward socialist candidates and policies embraced by portions of the Democratic coalition.
“The country didn’t vote for socialism,” Christie told the Post.
Instead, he argued voters were primarily expressing dissatisfaction with Republicans and Trump rather than embracing the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
That distinction could become increasingly important as Democrats determine how to use their new congressional majorities.
The incoming Democratic-controlled House will possess subpoena and investigative authority over the Trump administration, while the Senate will gain substantial control over judicial and executive-branch confirmations.
Democrats will also be able to block Republican legislation without relying on Senate procedural obstacles.
Trump nevertheless retains significant power through the presidency, particularly his veto authority.
Democrats would generally need two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override a presidential veto, giving Trump considerable leverage during the final two years of his term.
Christie’s relationship with Trump has undergone several dramatic transformations.
He endorsed Trump after ending his 2016 presidential campaign and later headed Trump’s presidential transition operation.
Christie subsequently became increasingly critical of Trump and emerged as one of his strongest Republican opponents following the 2020 election.
He made opposing Trump central to his unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign before dropping out ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
Christie has continued urging Republicans to move beyond Trump since leaving the race.
Tuesday’s results gave him another opening to make that argument.
Whether Republican voters and elected officials agree remains another question.
Trump remains president through January 2029 and retains substantial influence within the GOP, while congressional Republican leaders are signaling they intend to work alongside him from the minority.
Christie nevertheless believes the midterm verdict represents a political turning point.
” following Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses, arguing voters delivered a direct rebuke of GOP governance.
