Trump vows to step up efforts to combat drug addiction

Christie, who has made the issue of addiction a centerpiece of his own administration, chaired Trump's presidential transition team before he was unceremoniously replaced by incoming Vice President Mike Pence.

Last month, he signed legislation that limits first-time opioid prescriptions to five days' worth of drugs and requires state-regulated health insurers to cover at least six months of substance abuse treatment.

Christie told The Associated Press earlier Wednesday that he has "no interest in having a permanent role" in the Trump administration at this time, but that the president asked him to spearhead efforts to combat opioid and drug abuse as he completes his term as governor.

The issue became personal more than a decade later, when one of Christie's best friends from law school developed an addiction to prescription drugs and died of an overdose in a New Jersey motel.

Bill Baroni was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday, while co-defendant Bridget Kelly was awaiting sentencing after they were convicted last November on counts including wire fraud, conspiracy and misusing the bridge for improper purposes.