Advisory Opinions – "Hookers and Kushners | Interview: Chris Christie"

Podcast: Advisory Opinions (The Dispatch)
Date: August 14, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Isgur, David French
Special Guest: Chris Christie (Former Governor of New Jersey, former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey)

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Sarah Isgur and David French welcome former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for a unique blend of legal war stories, career advice, and political reminiscence. The episode is themed around honest insights for lawyers, leadership in legal offices, and notorious legal cases from Christie's tenure as U.S. Attorney. Along the way, the hosts and Christie dig into notorious cases—including the Charles Kushner prosecution—office dramas, debate memories, and reflections on law careers and presidential politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reunion and Debate Banter

[00:19–05:04]

• Sarah teases Christie's appearance, referencing their 2016 rivalry when she worked for Carly Fiorina’s campaign. Christie recalls Fiorina as "the rudest candidate" and details a cold 3:30 a.m. encounter before a morning show.
  • Quote:
    "So we were in makeup chairs next to each other and I turned to her and I said, hey Carly, good morning. I said and good job last night. And she turned and looked at me and she said, yeah. And that was it." (Chris Christie, 01:56)
• Sarah describes her mathematical strategy for getting Fiorina into the main debate—noting Christie's hand in keeping her out of a key New Hampshire debate.
  • Quote:
    "I plead guilty to that. And part of that had to do with her extraordinary collegiality. When we met ... let me tell you something, I don't know when I'm gonna get back at her, but it's coming. And it took a few months, but we took care of business, as Jersey people normally tend to do." (Chris Christie, 04:28)

2. Christie's Origin Story & U.S. Attorney Memories

[05:04–08:31]

• Chris Christie reflects that the U.S. Attorney role was the best job he's ever had.
  • Quote:
    "It was the best seven years of my professional life, no doubt about it." (Christie, 05:37)
• He highlights the most dramatic cases he oversaw, especially a post-9/11 terrorism case and, pivotally, the prosecution of Charles Kushner.

3. The Charles Kushner Story: Crime, Family Drama, and the Man Act

[07:30–16:47]

• Christie recounts the bizarre, tabloid-esque case against Charles Kushner, weaving through tax fraud, FEC violations, and the use of a prostitute to entrap and blackmail his own brother-in-law.
  • Detailed Storyline:
    • The case involved secret recordings of an affair orchestrated as retaliation for cooperation with federal investigators.
    • Christie explains the investigative process, including the use of cellphone records and search warrants, eventually flipping a police officer who identified Kushner as the mastermind.
  • Memorable Quotes:
    "We probably cannot go through my U.S. attorney career without mentioning the name Kushner." (Chris Christie, 07:30)
    "Do you still have her cell phone number? Now, this was 18 months later, in front of his wife. And he stared down at the conference table and said, I do." (Christie, 12:19)
• Trump’s comic involvement, sending Christie a signed NY Post cover—"Way to put the bad guys away, Chris. –Donald Trump" (16:47)

4. Navigating Justice Department Priorities and Political Firings

[17:25–22:38]

• Discussion about the Bush-era U.S. Attorney firing scandal, with Christie revealing he narrowly escaped the axe due to a dispute over prosecuting Bristol Myers Squibb.
  • Quote:
    "I was on the list of U.S. attorneys to be fired...and the White House took you off the list." (Christie, 18:21)
• Christie shares how Washington sets crime-fighting priorities (guns, corporate fraud, terrorism), with new AUSAs assigned to each priority without neglecting ongoing cases.
  • Quote:
    "I never got a call from DOJ saying, do this or don't do that. It never happened in seven years." (Christie, 22:38)

5. Law Office Leadership and Professional Lessons

[28:04–30:49]

• Best Advice Received: "Be prepared." Christie emphasizes the need for exhaustive preparation in law.
• Best Advice Given: "Do something you like as a lawyer... For God's sake, don't hate what you do."
  • Quote:
    "If you are well prepared, you have a very good chance of doing well... Find what you like and you'll figure out a way to make money at it." (Christie, 29:42)

6. Christie's Legal and Political Career Path

[31:15–36:47]

• Christie did not grow up aspiring to be U.S. Attorney; opportunity arose from political involvement during the Bush campaign.
  • Quote:
    "No, it will say that I was class president for all four years. So there is a little foreshadowing there." (Christie, 31:40)

7. Law Office Egos, Profanity, and the 'Podium vs. Lectern' Incident

[39:28–48:52]

• Christie reveals dramatic stories from leading the U.S. Attorney’s office, including an intra-prosecutor feud where one lawyer told another "Go f*** yourself" in front of a jury.
  • Quote:
    "It's not a podium. It's a lectern. And the lead lawyer turned to him and said, go fuck yourself. And in front of the jury, to his own side, to his own trial partner." (Christie, 41:39)
• Another case involved a trial lawyer going AWOL for three days; Christie's furious reaction was so legendary that even the janitor commented on the "ass-kicking."
  • Quote:
    "Boss, I've seen some ass kickings in my life, but I ain't ever seen an ass kicking like that." (Janitor Bruce, via Christie, 47:03)
• Lesson: Leadership requires firmness but also recognizing one's own excesses.

8. Should You Go to Law School?

[48:52–52:25]

• David French argues law school is option-expanding; Sarah warns against going unless you want to practice law.
• Christie sides with both: it is intellectually and career-wise broadening, but not for those entirely disinterested in law.
  • Quote:
    "I don't think you should go to law school if you have no interest at all in being a lawyer...but it will make you a better fill in the blank, whatever else you're going to try to do." (Christie, 50:00)

9. Humor, Debate Flashbacks, and Trump Anecdotes

[52:25–56:56]

• Sarah shares her depressing memory of Fiorina missing the New Hampshire debate, followed by stories of Fiorina’s brief vice presidential run and campaign misadventures.
• Christie shares a behind-the-scenes anecdote with Donald Trump:
  • Trump, applying makeup before a rally, jokes to Christie:
    "You need a little makeup...You look tired... When we walk off the plane together...they're gonna say, who's the old guy with Trump?" (Christie, 55:45)
• Reflection on Trump's former charm (now "angry and bitter… he may be the angriest and bitterest president of my lifetime").

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Law Office Drama:
  "You never have to work with each other again. But you have to finish this trial successfully and professionally." (Christie, 42:23)

• On Practical Leadership:
  "Being U.S. attorney is a benign dictatorship in that regard." (Christie, 27:56)

• On the Kushner Case:
  "He intentionally had it delivered on the day of his nephew's engagement party, a party he was going to attend himself." (Christie, 16:44)

• On Life as a Grinder, Not a Genius:
  "They're not going to be writing any books about me as a great student, but I was good enough. And I think that combined with my personal relationships, allowed me to have the career I've had." (Christie, 39:02)

• Christie Graded by Sarah:
  "Despite your B reputation, I'm actually going to give that one an A minus." (Sarah, 52:16)

Humor and Levity

• VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer wrote a playful "French Fry Day" theme song for David French, explained with evangelical nostalgia and much laughter. (57:13)
• Christie's casual, candid storytelling—peppered with Jersey bravado—adds color throughout.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Christie’s 2016 Debate Banter: 01:51–05:04
• U.S. Attorney: Highlights and Kushner Case: 05:37–16:47
• Kushner Family Drama Details: 07:30–16:47
• U.S. Attorney Firing Scandal: 17:25–22:38
• Advice for Attorneys: 28:04–30:49
• Leadership Stories—Podium vs. Lectern: 39:28–42:23
• Law School: Should You Go?: 48:52–52:25
• Christie’s Trump Stories: 53:54–56:56
• French Fry Day Theme Song: 57:13–57:56

Tone and Style

The episode combines sharp legal insight, "war stories" from high-stakes prosecution, office politics, and dry, affectionate humor—especially between old campaign rivals. Christie’s Northeast frankness and the hosts’ wit make for a lively, accessible listen, even for non-lawyers.

Summary prepared for those who want both the legal lessons and the juicy stories—from the Man Act to campaign mishaps, law office egos, and what happens when your janitor grades your management style.