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(L) Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO\/AFP via Getty Images \/ (R) Photo by Robert Perry\/Getty Images \/ Canva edit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OAN\u2019s\u00a0Brooke Mallory<\/a>
11:28 AM \u2013 Sunday, July 16, 2023 \u00a0<\/p>\n

Republican presidential contender Chris Christie stepped up his criticism of former President Donald Trump on Sunday, labeling him a \u201cliar\u201d and a \u201ccoward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The former New Jersey governor was responding to Trump\u2019s remarks at a conservative gathering in Florida on Saturday, in which he declared, \u201cI\u2019m being indicted for you,\u201d as he sought to defend himself against charges in the special counsel\u2019s investigative witch hunt of his alleged mishandling of classified materials after leaving office.<\/p>\n

However, Christie chimed in during a guest appearance on the left-wing network and criticized Trump\u2019s statements.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s indicted because of his outrageous conduct,\u201d Christie told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper on the \u201cState of the Union\u201d program.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s no other of the 200 million Americans he spoke about who illegally retained classified national secrets after being asked politely, quietly, and professionally for 18 months to voluntarily turn them back over after he left the White House,\u201d the former governor claimed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cHe now has the opportunity to go to court and make the government prove that case beyond a reasonable doubt. But now he says he doesn\u2019t want to have a trial until after the election in 2024. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s doing that for us, either. He should resolve this thing before people vote, so that we know exactly who we\u2019re voting for,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Christie also stated on Saturday that he has met the Republican National Committee\u2019s donor threshold<\/a> in order to participate in the first presidential primary debate in Milwaukee next month. <\/p>\n

Christie stated that his campaign has \u201calmost 45,000 individual donors\u201d and that he \u201cwill be there on August 23rd<\/sup>.\u201d According to his most recent Federal Election Commission statement, Christie\u2019s campaign purportedly raised around $1.7 million in the second quarter that ended on June 30th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

However, Christie\u2019s favorability ratings in recent GOP presidential polls have some Republicans questioning whether his statements are dramatized or dishonest.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s first hearing in the investigation is scheduled for Tuesday, when attorneys from both sides will debate how the case\u2019s classified materials should be handled.<\/p>\n

The need for extra time to examine the materials was cited by Trump and his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, as the rationale for delaying the trial date. His attorneys have also indicated that a fair jury could not be seated before the 2024 election, with Trump leading in polls and vying for the Republican nomination. The special attorney in charge of the investigation had reportedly rejected their proposed justifications for postponing the trial.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s previous remarks regarding the GOP debate have also made it unclear, for those who are planning on tuning in, whether he will be participating in the upcoming Milwaukee event.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI haven\u2019t really made up my mind,\u201d Trump said. \u201cWhen you have a big lead, you don\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Christie continued his attacks of the former president by posting his thoughts on Twitter on Saturday. <\/p>\n

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Donald, I know it hurts to hear the truth. <\/p>\n

But you only built 47 miles of new wall, & Mexico didn\u2019t pay for any of it. Not one damn peso.<\/p>\n

At this rate, it would take you nearly 110 years to completely finish the wall. <\/p>\n

You fail, you lie. Rinse & repeat. pic.twitter.com\/EA6sJHXmMm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Christie (@GovChristie) July 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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