New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez chairs the Republican Governors Association. | AP Photo Lewandowski defends Trump's criticism of GOP governor

Donald Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, on Sunday defended the presumptive nominee's recent criticisms of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, saying those comments were "about the economy."

"Every time Mr. Trump goes to speak somewhere, he lays out the problems in that given location," Lewandowski told host Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday." "Our country is a mess right now."


Lewandowski's comments follow a Trump rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday night, during which Trump criticized the governor over the state's economy. "Your governor has got to do a better job," Trump said.

The interview Sunday got heated as Wallace pressed Lewandowski on Trump's habit of criticizing sitting Republicans and elected officials, asking whether it is a campaign strategy.

Wallace asked Lewandowski how criticizing a governor — who is both female and Hispanic — in her home state is an effective strategy when Trump is "underwater" with both demographics. Martinez also chairs the Republican Governors Association.

"[Is he] going to go around the country saying the Republican governors are not doing their job?" Wallace asked.

"We need to do a better job. That's what this is about. The bottom line is: Our country is in trouble," Lewandowski said.

Asked by Wallace whether the campaign stands by Trump's comments about Martinez, Lewandowski said: "We absolutely stand by our statement that the state of New Mexico could be doing better."

Lewandowski on Sunday also discussed Trump's decision to back out of a debate with Bernie Sanders. He said the campaign would be focusing on Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, rather than "waste our time debating Bernie Sanders when he's not going to be the nominee."