Recently released emails and text messages make it clear that Chris Christie used threats and coercion to gain endorsements from New Jersey mayors and that the administration played a direct role in in establishing retaliatory lane closures that caused a traffic nightmare for Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Those e-mails and text messages, including one in which Christie Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly told Christie Port Authority appointee David Wildstein, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” have further fueled suspicions that the lane closures constituted retaliation against Fort Lee’s Democratic Mayor for not endorsing Christie. After Wildstein texted that he was “smiling” but felt “badly about the kids” affected by bus delays, Kelly responded, “They are the children of Buono voters.”
Christie is known for being a micro-manager but his level of involvement has been questioned as the scandal unfolded. The emails remove any doubt that the Christie was fully aware and directed the threats and coercion.