CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: "Interview with Rep. Dina Titus"

Interview

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BALDWIN: OK, Lauren, thank you.

Congresswoman Titus, back over to you.

I was actually just handed, as I have been on television, this eight- page resolution.

Why don't you fill us in? Can you just tell us a little bit more about what I have here?

TITUS: Well, I haven't studied it either, because it just came out.

But I think it sets up the rules for the next stage of the investigation, just when it will -- it will become public. It will go to the Judiciary Committee eventually, when the report comes out of Intelligence.

It's pretty much the same procedure that has been followed in previous impeachment proceedings.

BALDWIN: OK. And I will come back to the big vote on Thursday in a second.

But the reason why we have you on, you were in the room, right?

So what did Colonel Vindman say about why he was so concerned when he was listening into that July 25 phone call? What stood out to you?

TITUS: Well, I can't talk about what actually went on in the room.

[15:20:02]

But you can tell from the public testimony that he was upset enough to twice notify his chain of command. And he is a decorated military officer. So, he respects that chain of command.

He was uncomfortable with what he was hearing on the telephone conversation, that, "We need a favor, though," from the president's own words, that he reported it at the time.

BALDWIN: And you point out his background, military man, highly decorated, Purple Heart recipient.

Do you find him -- and I ask you this because some of his testimony directly contradicts what you all heard from the E.U. ambassador, Gordon Sondland. Do you find Colonel Vindman credible?

TITUS: Absolutely.

He is a man who is loyal to this country, not to any particular administration. And that's what led him to this point. The president has tried to surround himself with all these yes-men and people who do his bidding, his chief of staff and maybe the -- Sondland.

But this is a military man who cares about the country. And he was brave enough to step forward, despite the White House saying, don't go and testify.

BALDWIN: So, then, Congresswoman Titus, are you concerned that the E.U. ambassador might have perjured himself?

TITUS: He might have. And it might be up to Chairman Schiff to call him back. We will see if that's necessary.

But, right now, this is just additional information.

BALDWIN: OK.

TITUS: We got the president saying it himself, the charge d'affaires saying it, the chief of staff saying it. He undermined our elections. He threatened our national security.

Even by Republican standards, this is a whole lot worse than a blue dress.

BALDWIN: Hmm. Hmm.

Congresswoman, we're also hearing, just from our own reporting on the Hill, that there was some shouting behind closed doors between a certain Republican and a Democrat over questions to the colonel.

The concern, apparently, from your party, was that these Republicans were trying to out the whistle-blower.

Can you characterize that back and forth for me?

TITUS: Well, it gets a little testy in there.

And the chairman has said that, above all else, we will protect the identity of the whistle-blower, for that person's own safety. And that's the way it should be.

So, if the Republicans are trying to narrow down the list, so they can figure out who it is, we're just not going to let that happen.

BALDWIN: That is -- so, your takeaway was that they were trying to out the whistle-blower; is that correct?

TITUS: It is correct.

BALDWIN: OK.

We have heard a number of Republicans, most recently, the Senate majority leader, coming out, not questioning the colonel's patriotism, and, before him, other Republicans, Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney.

But, that said, certain conservatives have said this. TITUS: Well, you can question anybody who is an immigrant, I guess.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Just one moment, Congresswoman. I just want to -- in case people haven't seen this, let's play the clip.

TITUS: Oh, sorry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS: Here we have a U.S. national security official who is advising Ukraine while working inside the White House, apparently against the president's interest.

And, usually, they spoke in English. Isn't that kind of an interesting angle on this story?

JOHN YOO, FORMER DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: I find that astounding. And some people might call that espionage.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: What -- Congresswoman, what would you like to say to those critics?

TITUS: Well, I just think it's awful.

And you say that -- I guess it's a reflection of their anti-immigrant position. This is someone who came when he was 2 years old, decorated war hero. His twin brother is the head of the Ethics Division in the NSC. Nobody's more vetted than they are.

This is just like -- once again, they have no defense of the president, so they just want to blame the messenger.

BALDWIN: Let's just turn to Thursday's big vote. We know that Republicans have been attacking your party, specifically on process, that this impeachment inquiry and all the testimony has been hush-hush behind closed doors.

But by opening it up, do you think Republicans will lose ground with that argument? And why do you think it's beneficial for the American public to see this for themselves?

TITUS: Well, they're never going to be satisfied, no matter what we do, because they are in the room, they have equal time, they're able to answer questions.

And this is no different from how it's been done in the past. You have the secret testimony, but that's just so that the witnesses can't trade off on each other's -- what they say and get their stories straight, so to speak.

It will go to the public. The transcript will go to the public. And, also, it's a chance to keep it from turning into a circus. And we think that's what the Republicans will do. We're trying to get at the truth. They're trying to have a political sideshow.

BALDWIN: But what about the American people? Why is it important for them to see this play out themselves?

TITUS: I think they will see it play out. They will see all the evidence presented.

We're trying to make the best case possible. That's why it's taken so long and we're being so deliberative, not just for the American people, but also to present to the Senate.

[15:25:04]

BALDWIN: Congresswoman Titus, thank you.

TITUS: Thank you.

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