Christie Says He Didn't Know Of Traffic Jam Plan

07:36

January 09, 2014

The Associated Press

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. Christie has fired a top aide who engineered political payback against a town mayor, saying she lied. (Mel Evans/AP)

New Jersey Gov. Christie says he knew nothing of a plan by some of his closest aides to create traffic jams as political payback to a town mayor.

Christie spoke at a news conference Thursday. He says he had "no knowledge or involvement in this issue in its planning or execution." He adds that he was stunned by the "abject stupidity that was shown."

The governor also says he is responsible for their actions. He announced the firing of one close aide.

Emails and texts show that she arranged lane closings to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, who didn't endorse Christie for re-election. The closings created gridlock for several days last fall.

The scandal threatens to upend Christie's second term and likely run for president in 2016.

NPR digital politics editor Charlie Mahtesian joins us to discuss the latest.

Related: Chris Christie Runs Up Against Bully Reputation

Guest

Charlie Mahtesian, politics editor for NPR digital news. He tweets @charlieNPR.

This segment aired on January 9, 2014.