WASHINGTON — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is calling for a congressional investigation into Attorney General Pam Bondi following the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Christie raised concerns about potential political motivations behind the move and urged Congress, the courts, and federal officials to scrutinize the decision.
“Weaponization of the law is wrong not just some of the time, but all the time,” Christie said in a statement. “It is just as wrong here when it appears to be used as both an inducement and a cudgel to enforce other administration policy goals.”
Christie is urging Congress to question both Bondi and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Bove, who authored the dismissal, on whether external political considerations influenced the decision. He pointed to statements from former President Donald Trump, who suggested in December that he might consider pardoning Adams if convicted, and questioned whether the DOJ’s move was intended to spare Trump from making that decision.
Christie also called for scrutiny of Trump’s Deputy Attorney General nominee, Todd Blanche, who has appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings. He argued that Blanche should be asked if he had any role in the DOJ’s deliberations regarding the Adams case.
Additionally, Christie urged U.S. District Judge Dale Ho, who is set to review the DOJ’s request for dismissal on February 19, to press federal prosecutors on why the charges are being dropped without prejudice, allowing for potential future prosecution. “If they stand by wanting to continue to hang this over the mayor’s head, then [the judge] should consider denying the motion in its entirety,” Christie said, suggesting Adams should be given the opportunity to clear his name before voters head to the polls.
