New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the Republican who dropped his own campaign for president earlier this month after a poor showing in New Hampshire, announced his support for Donald Trump at a news conference Friday.  

“He is strong enough to take on the D.C. establishment,” Christie told reporters in Fort Worth, criticizing Trump’s chief rivals, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. “Turn away from the amateur acts from Washington, D.C., and turn toward a strong leader. That’s who this is.”  

Christie said he met with Trump on Thursday before making his decision.  

Christie’s endorsement came days after Trump received his first endorsements from members of Congress. On Wednesday, Reps. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., lent their support to the Republican front-runner.  

Contact Yokley at EliYokley@RollCall.com and on Twitter @EYokley. 

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