Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced late last month that he is running for president in 2024. In an apparent effort to distinguish himself from better-performing candidates in the Republican field, Christie — presently ranked seventh on average with less than two points to his name in the polls — has come out in support of child gender transition surgeries.

The Republican presidential candidate told CNN’s Jake Tapper during his Sunday appearance on “State of the Nation” that he doesn’t think “the government should ever be stepping into the place of the parents in helping to move their children through a process where those children are confused or concerned about their gender.”

Tapper prompted the response in part by referencing Christie’s past support for the transgender agenda.