Donald Trump Stands by Chris Christie Despite Revelations in Bridge Closing Trial

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey endorsed Donald J. Trump in Fort Worth on Feb. 26. Credit Cooper Neill for The New York Times

When Donald J. Trump campaigned in South Carolina in December, in a crowded and tightening Republican primary, he made a pointed declaration about one of his opponents, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey.

“He totally knew about it,” Mr. Trump told his supporters, referring to the 2013 shutdown of the George Washington Bridge by Christie aides, allegedly to punish a political foe. “They’re with him all the time, the people that did it.”

Mr. Christie, who was not charged, has repeatedly denied such claims. But in a federal courthouse in Newark on Monday, a prosecutor from the United States attorney’s office affirmed Mr. Trump’s view of the scandal, which helped scuttle Mr. Christie’s hopes for the presidency.

The prosecutor, Vikas Khanna, said that the aides, David Wildstein and Bill Baroni, had boasted to the governor about closing several lanes of a ramp connecting Fort Lee to the George Washington Bridge.

Mr. Christie ran for president as the trial loomed, but withdrew after he was eclipsed by Mr. Trump. When Mr. Christie exited, he not only quickly endorsed Mr. Trump but also took over his presidential transition efforts.

In a typical election cycle, having federal prosecutors declare that a top adviser to a candidate was aware of such a damaging plot would have enormous ramifications.

But 2016 is not a typical election cycle, especially in the orbit of Mr. Trump, who tends to ignore unpleasant news or play down its significance.

“Conventional rules don’t apply to Trump,” said Rob Stutzman, a California-based political consultant who has been deeply critical of him.

Proving that point, Mr. Trump, in a statement made to The New York Times through an adviser, said he was sticking with Mr. Christie, noting that the governor had heaped praise on him back in February.

“I have known and liked Chris for 15 years,” Mr. Trump said. “After his recent run for president, he called me to say that he would like to endorse me in that he sees a movement like he has never seen before. I was greatly honored, accepted his endorsement, and he has been a spectacular advocate ever since.”

Mr. Trump made no mention of the trial. And his view of Mr. Christie seems shaped by a single factor that shapes many of Mr. Trump’s views: loyalty.

Mr. Christie was not only an early supporter, but a prominent Republican — and former head of the Republican Governors Association — who backed Mr. Trump just as most of the party’s establishment came together to try to deny him the nomination.

Mr. Christie worked aggressively to get donors and other governors to back Mr. Trump, failing with most, except Gov. Paul R. LePage of Maine. He also connected Mr. Trump with another governor, Mike Pence of Indiana, before the state’s primary in May.

But 2016 is not a typical election cycle, especially in the orbit of Mr. Trump, who tends to ignore unpleasant news or play down its significance.

“Conventional rules don’t apply to Trump,” said Rob Stutzman, a California-based political consultant who has been deeply critical of him.

Proving that point, Mr. Trump, in a statement made to The New York Times through an adviser, said he was sticking with Mr. Christie, noting that the governor had heaped praise on him back in February.

“I have known and liked Chris for 15 years,” Mr. Trump said. “After his recent run for president, he called me to say that he would like to endorse me in that he sees a movement like he has never seen before. I was greatly honored, accepted his endorsement, and he has been a spectacular advocate ever since.”

Mr. Trump made no mention of the trial. And his view of Mr. Christie seems shaped by a single factor that shapes many of Mr. Trump’s views: loyalty.

Mr. Christie was not only an early supporter, but a prominent Republican — and former head of the Republican Governors Association — who backed Mr. Trump just as most of the party’s establishment came together to try to deny him the nomination.

Mr. Christie worked aggressively to get donors and other governors to back Mr. Trump, failing with most, except Gov. Paul R. LePage of Maine. He also connected Mr. Trump with another governor, Mike Pence of Indiana, before the state’s primary in May.