Former GOP Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie spoke at the Harvard Kennedy School on Monday and criticized his party for not speaking up against President Trump when he goes too far.
Citing the example of Trump’s expletive-filled Easter Sunday post, Christie said, “Not one Republican, not one, said ‘okay, now, that’s enough. Those words on Easter Sunday were ill-advised.’”
Blasting his own party — and singling out Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for special condemnation — Christie said Republicans in office today “care more about their title than about doing the job they have.”
Former office holders, however, not needing the President’s approval to hold onto their positions, are freer to comment. One Trump supporter, former Louisiana Rep. Tony Perkins (R), did voice his disappointment with Trump’s Easter message — but, unlike Christie, Perkins expressed sympathy and concern for the President.
I am praying for the president; he needs our prayers.
While his Sunday Truth Social post on Iran may be designed to transmit bravado toward the Iranian regime to bring the conflict to an end, the continuing decline in language and decorum of our leaders is very troubling and… pic.twitter.com/WmfCo25xSk
— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) April 6, 2026
Perkins, who served as Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom during the first Trump administration, and who is now President of the evangelical group Family Research Council, wrote: “I am praying for the president; he needs our prayers. While his Sunday Truth Social post on Iran may be designed to transmit bravado toward the Iranian regime to bring the conflict to an end, the continuing decline in language and decorum of our leaders is very troubling and should not be acceptable.”
Many of Perkins’ followers replied, with a typical comment reading: “I agree, we need to pray for him.” But many Republicans disagreed with Perkins’ call for decorum. North Dakota State Sen. Scott Meyer (R), true to Christie’s point, applauded Trump’s belligerence and echoed the President’s language in his response: “Sometimes you punch a bully in their face, and [expletive] talking is part of it. FAFO.”