De Blasio blasts Christie on Syrian refugees

Mayor Bill de Blasio doubled down Wednesday on his condemnation of comments by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who said he'd reject even child refugees from Syria as a precaution against terrorism.

De Blasio called the sentiment "un-American" and brandished a graphic photo of a drowned Syrian boy -- 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi -- that was widely circulated in September, showing the human toll of the refugee crisis.

"This is the cost of not bringing in people who are innocent victims of an humanitarian crisis," the Democrat said at an unrelated Times Square event. "Is this what he wants to see happen to children? We don't accept that here in New York City."

De Blasio showed the photo of the boy again in a CNN appearance later in the day and said Christie, a presidential candidate, was a "very sad example of speaking against American values of respecting immigrants."

A Christie spokesman pointed to a tweet by the Republican governor, who said he "wouldn't expect anything less from a liberal politician who is more interested in making headlines than protecting the people."

Christie, in a nationally syndicated radio appearance on Monday, said of sheltering Syrian refugees in light of the attacks on Paris, "The fact is that we need appropriate vetting, and I don't think orphans under 5 are being, you know, should be admitted into the United States at this point."