Trump asks Christie to tackle "terrible" opioid epidemic

President Trump held a listening session on the nation's opioid epidemic at the White House this morning, tapping New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — whom Trump branded an "immediate endorser" of his campaign — as the head of an initiative to tackle drug addiction. Also present were Cabinet members Jeff Sessions, Betsy DeVos, and John Kelly, as well as a broader group of politicians and experts that included New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera.

Trump pledged to "[bring] together people terribly affected by this terrible epidemic" and promised an attendee whose son died of an overdose that "he will not have died in vain."

Christie branded addiction "a disease that can be treated," comparing it with cancer and diabetes while noting that "people are afraid and ashamed to talk about drug addiction."