Chris Christie accused his GOP rival Ron DeSantis of “playing politics”, after the Florida Governor refused to meet President Biden when he visited the Sunshine State in order to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. DeSantis and Biden discussed federal assistance with DeSantis on Monday, as Florida prepared for the eventual impact of Hurricane Idalia. The two then spoke again Thursday, a day after the storm’s landfall, after Biden had approved a major catastrophe declaration for the State. But, Christie and Biden kept their distance on Saturday during Biden’s trip, a choice that Christie did not find surprising. “That’s his
decision,” Christie said in an
. “I’m not the least bit surprised that is what he chose to do.”
Christie, the former governor of New Jersey who met with then-President Barack Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, said DeSantis failed in his job as governor of the state.
“You’re the governor of the state, the President of the United States comes and you’re asking…the Congress for significant aid…you should have been there with the president to welcome him,” Christie said. Sign up here to receive the latest news from The Hill. Biden praised Scott after their meeting and Christie took the chance to draw a distinction he sees between DeSantis and Scott.[DeSantis’s]”Fortunately, Rick Scott…who knows what it means to be governor, showed up and made sure the President saw what he needed to see,” Christie said. Christie claimed that DeSantis had failed the people of Florida when he did not attend the meeting with Biden. “To ensure that the president is able to see your people and the damage that has been done, as well as the suffering and the work that will be required to rebuild the area. interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox News RadioBiden said that he had been in touch with DeSantis prior to his visit, the location was mutually agreed upon and that he wasn’t disappointed with DeSantis for not coming, saying “he may have had other reasons.”
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