Christie sees future in Trump administration: report

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) believes he will ultimately find a role in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, according to a new report.

Christie imagines Trump will eventually make him a top aide managing the White House, The New York Times said Tuesday.

The Times said Christie insists he has a political future nationally after suspending his presidential campaign in February.

{mosads}Christie plans on writing a book about his political career, it said, and close friends have told others in New Jersey he believes Trump will reward his longstanding loyalty.

Christie’s confidantes envision a scenario wherein Trump’s White House management team proves incapable of handling their duties, the Times said.

Trump will then tap Christie as a skilled manager instead, they said, much like David Gergen helped steady former President Bill Clinton’s administration after a chaotic first year.

Gergen brought experience to Clinton’s White House, having served as a top aide to former Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan beforehand.

The Times added Christie’s allies believe incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus, future chief strategist Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, will ultimately fail the president-elect.

Christie will then be capable of stepping in and helping ensure Trump’s administration operates smoothly, according to the Times.

Reports emerged earlier this month, however, that Christie has already passed on several possible roles in Trump’s incoming administration.

Christie reportedly turned down opportunities to serve as Homeland Security secretary, Veterans Affairs secretary and U.S. ambassador to Italy.

The New Jersey governor purportedly wanted the role of attorney general instead, a post for which Trump ultimately selected Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).

Trump also allegedly passed over Christie for the vice presidency despite the governor’s longstanding support, opting for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), now the vice president-elect, instead.

Christie has since repeatedly vowed in recent weeks he plans on finishing out his gubernatorial term, which ends in 2018.

“For some reason, people think I’m equivocal about this,” he said during a Nov. 29 event at the New Jersey Statehouse. “And I’m not. I’m completing my term.”