TRENTON -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday dismissed criticism that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump received for a controversial tweet about the shooting death of NBA star Dwyane Wade's cousin.
During an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Christie -- one of Trump's top advisers -- said the media focuses too much on Trump's "process" and not his "message."
"The message is that that type of thing (is) happening," said the governor, who is also the head of Trump's transition team. "Let's focus on what happened.
"What happened was the murder -- the murder of this person pushing a stroller," Christie continued. "It's unacceptable in an American city to continue to have this level of violence, and the level of violence in Chicago is unacceptable.
"That's what Donald Trump has said, and that's what he'll change when he's president of the United States," he concluded.
Wade's cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was shot in the head from crossfire while she was walking to register some of her children at a school Friday in the south side of Chicago. She was was pushing her infant child in a stroller.
Trump, who has been appealing to black voters in recent weeks, saying their communities have been plagued by too much violence, sent out a tweet Saturday reacting to the news.
Critics accused the celebrity businessman and former Atlantic City casino magnate of senselessly using the death to promote his campaign.
Hours later, he sent out another tweet.
Christie told ABC on Sunday that "if people want safer streets, they want police supported, then they should vote for Donald Trump because that's what he'll do."
The governor also noted that Trump will appoint a U.S. attorney general "who will send very clear messages about how law enforcement is to be pursued in this country."
Experts say Christie is a possible pick to be Trump's attorney general if the real estate tycoon is elected.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.