The media is angry at Christie today because a county prosecutor (Barlyn), fired, alleges that Christie or Christie's administration fired him on political grounds. I am well read on the specifics of this case, and I can tell you this is up and away one of the most frivolous accusations imaginable.
I would guess that the prosecutor was fired because he filed a frivolous 43-count indictment against a local sheriff (Trout) and two deputies. Trout was accused of hiring a staff member and issuing credentials without performing a background check. As if.
In fact, it is a governor's and an attorney general's responsibility to safeguard citizens from frivolous criminal charges. Christie's actions here were correct, admirable, possibly even heroic.
The fact that Trout is supposedly a Christie supporter is not relevant.
A 43-count indictment should be filed against international drug traffickers, lifelong criminals, or persons who have committed horrific crimes. Allegedly hiring someone without a background check is not a serious offense. It may well be illegal. But Barlyn's judgment was horrendous and it would have been a mistake for Christie's administration to leave such a person in office. Barlyn's goal was probably to use the 43 counts to secure a plea offer and assume to himself credit for putting an elected official in prison for a very long time.
Barlyn lost his job. He had his day in the news. This is not someone whom you should feel sorry for.
