It looks like former New Jersey Gov.  Chris Christie  has taken himself out of the running for White House chief of staff.  In a statement  to the New York Times, Christie said, in part, "Now is not the right time for me or my family to undertake this serious assignment."  Media outlets  reported that Christie met with President Donald Trump at the White House Thursday to discuss the role.  The chief of staff position will be open at the end of the year following  John Kelly's departure  amid rumors of a turbulent relationship with the President.  Trump tweeted  earlier this month that he was interviewing candidates for the role and would soon be making a decision.

White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley reiterated that to reporters Friday.  "The President said yesterday he has about five names in the hopper.

We expect him to make an announcement pretty quickly," Gidley said.

Other names that've been floated to replace Kelly include Rep.

Mark Meadows, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney and acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.

The vice president's chief of staff  Nick Ayers  also recently declined consideration when it was announced that he'd also be leaving the Trump administration at the end of the year.  Additional reporting from  Newsy affiliate CNN .