Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has publicly denounced the Republican National Committee's (RNC) mandate for presidential candidates to pledge their support to the eventual GOP nominee. He considers the requirement unnecessary and a symptom of the Trump era.

During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," Christie argued that such a pledge was unprecedented in Republican primaries and questioned its value. He highlighted the irony of requiring a signed pledge, suggesting it reflects a lack of inherent trust and party unity.

The RNC recently stipulated that candidates must meet certain criteria to participate in primary debates. These include achieving at least 1% support in three national polls, securing 40,000 unique campaign donors, and signing the aforementioned pledge. Despite criticism from candidates like Asa Hutchinson, who questioned the implications of supporting a potentially convicted nominee, the RNC has stood firm on its decision.

Christie's stance on the pledge puts him at odds with the RNC's efforts to maintain party cohesion. He referenced former President Donald Trump's refusal to commit to supporting the eventual nominee in the 2016 debates, indicating he intends to treat the 2024 pledge with the same level of seriousness.

Christie, who recently launched his own 2024 presidential campaign, has been a vocal critic of Trump, characterizing him as driven by personal ambition. He confirmed that he discussed his concerns regarding the pledge with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, but stated his intention to comply with the requirement to qualify for the debates.

McDaniel defended the pledge, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Republican party, particularly against the backdrop of the upcoming election against President Joe Biden. She stressed the need for candidates to support the chosen nominee regardless of personal preferences, to avoid internal divisions.