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Trump Calls Christie 'Talented' But Won't Say Whether He Can Be In Administration

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is "a very talented man."

But Trump did not say whether there was a place for Christie in his administration.

Christie was one of a parade of officials visiting Trump Sunday at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club.

Christie, a former candidate for president, was an early backer of Trump. But he was recently demoted as head of Trump's transition effort.

It is now not clear how big a role Christie is now playing.

Christie's diminished role came after two of his former top aides were convicted in the Bridgegate scandal. Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni were convicted of fraud, conspiracy and misusing the George Washington Bridge.

Prosecutors said they engineered traffic jams to retaliate against a mayor who didn't endorse Christie in 2013. Christie denies wrongdoing and wasn't charged in the scandal.

Christie recently said he plans to finish his term, which ends in 2018.

As CBS News' Roxana Saberi reported, Trump also met with several other potential members of his administration at his golf club Sunday after attending a religious service. The president-elect hinted that he may be close on some finalists.

"I think so. I think so. It could very well happen," he said.

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had his final interview Sunday. Giuliani is considered a top contender for secretary of state, and what Trump said are "other things."

After two days of meetings in New Jersey, Trump is expected to continue speaking with potential Cabinet members on Monday and Tuesday at Trump Tower.

The windows at Trump's penthouse in Trump Tower are meanwhile being replaced with bulletproof glass.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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