Chris Christie won’t let DeSantis distance himself from the controversial black history curriculum
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday criticized his Republican presidential nominee for 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, after he tried to distance himself from a controversial decision by the state’s board of education.
Last week, the Florida Board of Education released a set of educational standards directing teachers to educate students about the skills developed by enslaved people and how they could have been used for their “personal gain” and “violence against and by African Americans.” HuffPost previously reported.
But in one CNN interview on FridayDeSantis, who has passed several laws restricting Black history teaching, denied playing any role in the panel’s controversial decision.
Christie called out DeSantis Sunday, telling CBS’ Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation that DeSantis’ denials were “not the words of leadership.”
“DeSantis started that fire with the law he signed, and now he doesn’t want to take responsibility for what happens afterward. And if you hear and watch his comments, he’s obviously uncomfortable,” Christie said.
Christie also said the Florida governor “managed the curriculum in the schools down to the last detail” instead of focusing on larger national issues like inflation.
“I think people see that as politically manipulative,” Christie said. “We are dividing our country into smaller and smaller parts. And politicians use them against each other to create conflict. And that won’t make the country bigger, better, stronger or freer,” he added.
Polls currently put DeSantis in second place with about 20% support among Republicans in 2024, behind frontrunner former President Donald Trump, who reportedly has about 50% support Really clear politics. Christie, a staunch Trump critic, lags behind in seventh place with support in the low single digits.
Christie has criticized DeSantis before, saying he doesn’t think DeSantis is one conservative.
Only Last monthcalled out Christie DeSantis as the Florida governor refused to denounce former President Trump’s involvement in the 2021 Capitol riot, claiming he was nowhere near DC when it happened.
“He wasn’t anywhere near Washington,” Christie said. “Did he have a TV? Was he alive that day? Did he see what was going on? I mean that’s one of the most ridiculous answers I’ve heard in this race so far.”
The DeSantis office did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.