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Chris Christie apologises for bridge-gridlock scandal Chris Christie apologises for bridge-gridlock scandal
(35 minutes later)
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has fired an aide who allegedly orchestrated traffic mayhem to pursue a petty political vendetta.New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has fired an aide who allegedly orchestrated traffic mayhem to pursue a petty political vendetta.
Mr Christie, seen as a potential Republican White House candidate, apologised for the scandal, which he said "embarrassed and humiliated" him.Mr Christie, seen as a potential Republican White House candidate, apologised for the scandal, which he said "embarrassed and humiliated" him.
The gridlock was allegedly engineered to punish a Democratic mayor who did not endorse the governor's re-election.The gridlock was allegedly engineered to punish a Democratic mayor who did not endorse the governor's re-election.
Mr Christie denied all knowledge of the scandal and said he was misled.Mr Christie denied all knowledge of the scandal and said he was misled.
Emails and texts made public on Wednesday appear to link his top aide, Bridget Anne Kelly, to the closure of traffic lanes feeding to the George Washington Bridge, one of the world's busiest, in September. 'Abject stupidity'
She has now been fired, Mr Christie said at Thursday's news conference. "I'm embarrassed and humiliated by the conduct of some of the people on my team," he said on Thursday morning at the statehouse in the city Trenton, as he revealed he had fired his top aide, Bridget Anne Kelly.
The move caused traffic chaos in the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee, whose mayor had declined to join a number of other Democratic officials in endorsing Mr Christie in last autumn's gubernatorial election, which he won in a landslide. He said repeatedly that he had nothing to do with the "callous and indifferent" lane closures.
'Venomous politics' "I had no knowledge or involvement in this issue, in its planning or execution," he said, "and I am stunned by the abject stupidity that was shown here."
"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Ms Kelly wrote on 13 August to David Wildstein, a New Jersey political appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the span. He spoke as the US Attorney's office for New Jersey opened an inquiry into the matter.
Emails and texts made public on Wednesday appear to link Ms Kelly to the closure of traffic lanes feeding to the George Washington Bridge, one of the world's busiest, in September.
The move caused traffic chaos in the New Jersey borough of Fort Lee, whose Democratic mayor had declined to back Mr Christie in last autumn's gubernatorial election.
"Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," Ms Kelly wrote on 13 August to David Wildstein, a New Jersey political appointee to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge.
"Got it," Mr Wildstein, a childhood friend of Mr Christie, replied."Got it," Mr Wildstein, a childhood friend of Mr Christie, replied.
On 9 September, two of three traffic lanes to the bridge - a major crossing to New York City carrying some 300,000 vehicles on a typical day - were shut for several days. On 9 September, two of three traffic lanes to the span - a major crossing to New York City carrying some 300,000 vehicles on a typical day - were shut for several days.
The communications do not suggest that Mr Christie himself directly had anything to do with the lane closures, but they seem to contradict his previous assertions that none of his staff was involved. 'Venomous politics'
The governor has not yet disciplined any of his employees. "I am heartbroken that someone who I permitted to be in that circle of trust for the last five years betrayed my trust," Mr Christie said on Thursday of Ms Kelly.
Mr Christie and Port Authority officials later said the decision to close the lanes was part of a traffic study. Mr Christie also said he had withdrawn support for his former campaign manager, Bill Stepien, to become New Jersey Republican chairman because of the "callous indifference" he displayed in emails about the traffic jams.
The governor and Port Authority officials initially said the decision to close the lanes was part of a traffic study.
On Wednesday evening, Mayor Sokolich said the alleged skulduggery was "appalling", adding that the ensuing gridlock had put people in danger by holding up emergency vehicles.On Wednesday evening, Mayor Sokolich said the alleged skulduggery was "appalling", adding that the ensuing gridlock had put people in danger by holding up emergency vehicles.
"It's the example of the pettiest and most venomous side of politics," he told the Bergen Record newspaper."It's the example of the pettiest and most venomous side of politics," he told the Bergen Record newspaper.
'Outraged' Mr Christie postponed a morning event after the emails were released on Wednesday.
Mr Christie postponed a morning event after the emails were released on Wednesday, later issuing a public statement saying he would not tolerate such behaviour by his staff. He has enjoyed immense popularity in his home state, particularly after his response to Superstorm Sandy. Now commentators are wondering if the bridge scandal could tarnish his White House prospects.
"I am outraged and deeply saddened to learn that not only was I misled by a member of my staff, but this completely inappropriate and unsanctioned conduct was made without my knowledge," he said.
"This behaviour is not representative of me or my administration in any way, and people will be held responsible for their actions," Mr Christie concluded.
Mr Wildstein, who has since resigned, is due to testify under oath on Thursday before a state legislature committee investigating the matter.
Mr Christie has enjoyed high popularity in his home state, particularly after his response to Superstorm Sandy. But commentators are already suggesting the bridge scandal could tarnish his White House prospects.
"Chris in a jam" ran the headline in the New York Post."Chris in a jam" ran the headline in the New York Post.
Another tabloid, the New York Daily News, took a double swipe at Mr Christie's weight and rumoured political ambitions, writing: "Fat chance now, Chris."Another tabloid, the New York Daily News, took a double swipe at Mr Christie's weight and rumoured political ambitions, writing: "Fat chance now, Chris."