President-Elect Donald Trump has demoted New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as head of his transition team, replacing him with Vice President-Elect Mike Pence, his team confirmed Friday afternoon.
Trump, in making his biggest staffing move since the election, wanted Pence in the role because of his extensive experience in Washington, The New York Times reports, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
Christie, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former presidential candidate Ben Carson, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn will be vice chairmen of the transition, Trump's staff said in a statement.
Trump will tap more than a dozen other people for advice on transition. His statement names his eldest children, Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka, Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner, campaign CEO and former Breitbart News executive Steve Bannon, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus, Trump's team said.
Christie's demotion comes one week after two of his former associates were found guilty in the New Jersey Bridge-gate scandal.
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