WASHINGTON: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has taken himself out of consideration to be President Donald Trump's next chief of staff, saying the timing is not right for himself or his family, according to a statement posted by multiple media outlets.

"It's an honor to have the President consider me as he looks to choose a new White House chief-of-staff," Christie said in the statement. "However, I've told the President that now is not the right time for me or my family to undertake this serious assignment."