CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: "Interview with Rep. Andre Carson"
Interview
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BLITZER: That's absolutely correct.
Jim Acosta at the White House, thank you.
Democratic Congressman Andre Carson is joining us. He's a key member of the House Intelligence Committee.
Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.
REP. ANDRE CARSON (D-IN): Thank you for having me, Wolf. What a pleasure.
BLITZER: So you have heard the Republican Senator Lindsey Graham accusing your House impeachment inquiry of secrecy, of violating the president's due rights -- due process rights. What do you make of that?
CARSON: I think it's all political pandering.
I think that what happened yesterday -- I was in that SCIF, Wolf -- was embarrassing. It was unpatriotic. It was un-American. And it was a mob mentality of sorts.
It was very disturbing, but it was all theatrical. But if this were in another day and time and era, we would have seen worse actions. And so the vitriol and the hatred coming from some of them, I think many of them were just following the group, but some of them had the kind of animosity.
And they were so protective of a president. It was very disappointing. The founding fathers who some my Republican colleagues love to cite had in mind co-equal branches of government. They were simply acting as minions for Trump's tyranny.
Very embarrassing, Wolf.
BLITZER: But I assume you will eventually, probably sooner, rather than later -- correct me if I'm wrong -- will not only hold public hearings, but release the transcripts of those secret depositions.
CARSON: Well, that's a -- that's a question that should be directed to Chairman Schiff.
But he has stated publicly that, at some point, we will have public hearings. The extent of those hearings has yet to be determined. But one thing that's clear. The Intelligence Committee, the Oversight Committee, Foreign Affairs, we are doing our due diligence in making sure these depositions run smoothly.
And the Intelligence Committee, we have really been the focal point of this whole matter. We have an obligation to protect our intelligence agencies and the intelligence community and to create a safe pipeline, Wolf, for those whistle-blowers, so they can feel safe. BLITZER: Senator Graham also implied that the reason the House
Democrats don't want to hold a formal House floor vote on impeachment authorizing an impeachment inquiry is because the vote would fail.
How do you respond?
CARSON: I don't agree. I think that there are other matters at hand.
Look, we can conduct this investigation, we can conduct the depositions and hearings all at the same time while dealing with infrastructure needs. The president's a developer. He has yet to come to the table with Democrats in a very reasonable manner to talk about infrastructure.
We have educational needs. We have national security needs that must be addressed in a way that doesn't demonize immigrants, people of color and Muslims.
BLITZER: We're hearing that Democrats are now debating the scope, the eventual scope of the House impeachment inquiry. What are you hearing about that? What can we anticipate?
CARSON: Well, I can -- I think we can anticipate rule of law being instituted.
I think that we want to streamline these efforts. I think my Republican colleagues, many of them, at least privately, are deeply concerned about the reality in which we live.
I think threat disappointed by the weakness that they have seen from the leadership within their own caucus, a leadership that is unwilling to stand up to President Trump and say, you know what, sir, enough is enough. You have done enough damage. It is time for us to focus on an agenda that reflects the people's interest, and not about your reelection efforts for 2020 or covering for you and this quid pro quo scheme with Iran (sic) that has failed miserably.
BLITZER: Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of defense, appeared before your committee yesterday for her deposition.
She described an irregular process by which aid to -- military assistance to Ukraine was suspended. What new questions does all this raise?
CARSON: Well, I think it certainly reaffirms the questions we have had about Donald Trump's integrity.
I think it's reaffirmed our suspicions as it relates to those who are around him who are afraid to correct him when he's in error. I think it also has reaffirmed the questions we have had about the lackluster leadership and the lack of intestinal fortitude when it comes to Mitch McConnell, when it comes to Republican leadership and their willingness to not only protect their caucus against Donald Trump, but to make sure they formulate an agenda that is in synch with the founders' vision of co-equal branches of government.
They have failed to do so, Wolf.
BLITZER: "The Washington Post" is just now reporting that, back in late August, the Trump administration delayed certain trade privileges to Ukraine.
Is that something that's come up in your investigation, not only delaying military assistance to Ukraine, but also these trade privileges, presumably to squeeze them into doing what the president and Rudy Giuliani wanted?
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CARSON: Well, these things are ongoing discussions that we have been having for the past few weeks. I think, in the upcoming days, we're going to have more answers for you.
But what you can rely on is that these staff-led, primarily staff-led depositions, in which members have been given an opportunity to ask questions, these professional staffers are the best of the best.
The members who come down are bright, we're engaged, we're taking copious notes, and we're deeply committed to maintaining our democracy, if you will, and not allowing a group of some of our colleagues who wish to show this undying loyalty to a president who has dishonored our country and continues to dishonor our country with his antics.
He needs to be firm, put people around him who will tell him the truth, so we can preserve our republic.
BLITZER: Congressman Andre Carson with very strong words, indeed.
Thanks so much for joining us.
CARSON: What an honor. Thank you, Wolf.
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