Why might Suetonius have connected Christians with the Jews who were removed from Rome during the reign of the Emperor Claudius?

Suetonius likely connected Christians with Jews expelled from Rome during Emperor Claudius's reign because early Christians were primarily seen as a sect within Judaism. The expulsion, which occurred around 49 CE, was a response to disturbances linked to "Chrestus," a term believed to refer to Christ. By associating Christians with the expelled Jews, Suetonius might have aimed to highlight the social and political tensions of the time, illustrating how emerging Christian communities were perceived in relation to established Jewish ones. This connection also reflects the broader Roman context of religious and cultural dynamics during that period.