Buttigieg Slams Ciattarelli's 'A' Grade for Trump Amidst $16 Billion Gateway Tunnel Funding Dispute

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has sharply criticized New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, asserting that Ciattarelli lacks the resolve to oppose Donald Trump, particularly concerning actions detrimental to New Jersey's economy and infrastructure. Buttigieg's remarks come as the state's tight gubernatorial race intensifies, with the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project emerging as a key point of contention.

Buttigieg, campaigning alongside Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill, specifically targeted former President Trump's decision to terminate funding for the critical Gateway Tunnel project. "He openly admitted he stopped this project because he doesn't like Chuck Schumer. It's straight-up mob boss politics," Buttigieg stated, as reported by News 12. He accused Trump of acting "out of spite" rather than legitimate policy concerns, directly linking Ciattarelli's perceived loyalty to this action.

The criticism intensified over Ciattarelli's recent assessment of Trump's performance. > "Jack Ciattarelli says he agrees with everything Trump has been doing, gives him an A grade. How can you look at an attack on New Jersey like this and give it anything but an F?" Buttigieg remarked, according to a tweet from FactPost. This "A grade" for Trump's second term marks a shift for Ciattarelli, who previously called Trump a "charlatan" in 2015.

Ciattarelli has been navigating a delicate political balance, aiming to energize Trump's base while also appealing to moderate voters in the Democratic-leaning state. While he has embraced Trump's endorsement, he has also sought to distance himself from some of Trump's more controversial stances, such as promoting conspiracy theories or terminating key infrastructure projects. However, his strong endorsement of Trump's overall performance has provided fodder for his opponents.

The $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project, crucial for connecting New Jersey to New York, has become a central issue in the gubernatorial campaign. Sherrill has consistently highlighted Ciattarelli's perceived failure to stand up to Trump on this matter, arguing that his allegiance compromises New Jersey's interests. Ciattarelli, conversely, maintains that he would work with any presidential administration to secure New Jersey's fair share of federal funds.