Emails and text messages between an aide to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and executives appointed by Christie at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey show that the aide green-lighted a plan to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge. The unannounced closings caused traffic backups that lasted hours on streets in Fort Lee, where the mouth of the bridge is located. Democrats have suggested the two local access lanes were closed to punish Fort Lee's mayor for refusing to endorse Christie. Christie apologized to the people of New Jersey, and fired deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, the aide.
