Firestorm over photo of Gov. Christie on closed NJ beach
David Lee Miller reports from New York City
Chris Christie enjoyed his own private beach on Sunday by soaking up the sun on a waterfront Jersey Shore park that was closed to the public because of a budget standoff between the governor and legislators in Trenton.
Photos taken by NJ Advance Media show the portly politician lounging on a chair at Island Beach State Park Sunday while his family catches some sun and plays paddle ball in the sand.
The images were taken before Christie headed to Trenton to hold a news conference — about the government shutdown. When asked about if he got to enjoy the clear summer day Christie demurred.
“I didn’t,” he said. “… I didn’t get any sun today.”
In this Sunday, July 2, 2017, photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, uses the beach with his family and friends at the governor's summer house at Island Beach State Park in New Jersey. Christie is defending his use of the beach, closed to the public during New Jersey's government shutdown, saying he had previously announced his vacation plans and the media had simply "caught a politician keeping his word." (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP) (AP)
Christie’s spokesman was later told about the photos and claimed the governor’s baseball hat shielded him from any potential sun rays.
“Yes, the governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading into the office,” the spokesman, Brian Murray, told NJ.com. “He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on.”
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