Former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, expressed his disapproval on Sunday towards former President Donald Trump for quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin at a campaign rally held on Saturday. In an interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Christie condemned Trump's actions and urged voters to pay closer attention to the former president's behavior.

Christie, who is currently a presidential hopeful within the GOP, voiced his concerns about Trump's ongoing support for Putin. He revealed that he had frequently argued with the former president about this matter during their time in office together. The former governor stressed that Putin has continuously undermined democracy both in Russia and elsewhere around the world.

During the rally in New Hampshire, Trump invoked Putin's words in an attempt to defend himself against the multiple criminal cases he currently faces in various states, including New York, Georgia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.

Christie's criticism of Trump's actions further highlights the growing divisions within the Republican party. As the party prepares for the upcoming presidential race, dissenting voices such as Christie's are emerging, urging Republicans to reconsider their support for the former president.

The quotes from Putin used by Trump reflect a concerning trend of embracing authoritarian leaders, according to political analysts. Some experts argue that by aligning himself with Putin, Trump is undermining the principles of democracy and the values traditionally upheld by the United States.

As the 2024 presidential election draws closer, it remains to be seen how Trump's ongoing legal battles and controversial statements will impact his standing within the Republican party. The criticism from Christie and other prominent Republicans adds to the mounting pressure on conservative voters to carefully consider their choices and the values they wish to see represented in their party's nominee.

Overall, Christie's condemnation of Trump's quoting of Putin at the campaign rally underscores the deepening rift within the GOP and the increasing importance of examining candidates' stances on democracy and authoritarianism as the election approaches.