CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: "Interview with Rep. Andre Carson"

Interview

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BLITZER: They certainly are. Jim Acosta, thanks very much.

Joining us now, Democratic Representative Andre Carson of Indiana, a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Thank you so much for joining us. I want to get the aftermath of the shootings in El Paso and Dayton. In the aftermath you said this -- and let me read to you what you said.

"This president is incapable of bringing about solutions because he is part of the problem."

But today President Trump said he thinks Mitch McConnell and a lot of Republicans, in his words, want to do background checks.

So how do you interpret those remarks?

REP. ANDRE CARSON (D-IN): It is about background checks but it is beyond background checks. I think President Trump is fanning the flames of xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment. And Mitch McConnell is sitting on this. He needs to call an emergency session to get this thing done.

The House has already done the work. It is time for Mitch McConnell to not only stand up to the president but to stand up and be a leader to get those two pieces of legislation that have already been passed by the House through the Senate.

BLITZER: Why do you think he won't even allow the two bills to come up for a vote?

CARSON: Well, it seems to be, in one sense, a lack of leadership. On the other hand, I think he's playing to his base. He's on the ballot next year. He represents a very conservative base.

You have some good progressives and some good moderates in Kentucky but, for the most part, I think it is a political calculation that, hopefully, will not yield results positively for him.

Your colleagues on the Judiciary Committee are coming back early from recess to consider other gun control legislation.

What specifically do you want them to do?

[17:15:00] CARSON: Well, we're still looking at proposals and talking about proposals as a caucus right now. So we're getting insights from Chairman Nadler and we're also receiving input from folks like myself and Chairman Benny Thompson of Homeland Security and other people about what that looks like.

But one thing is clear, the American people are fatigued. The recent shooting in Ohio and El Paso, unfortunate shootings, were just two of over 250 mass shootings this year. And so we have a real problem with assault rifles.

As a former police officer, I can say I don't think that the average citizen should have access to those high-capacity magazines or assault rifles.

BLITZER: We'll see what happens, if anything. In the meantime, Congressman, you serve on the Intelligence Committee. Let me get your reaction to this tweet from the president earlier today.

He said, "Our intelligence has informed us that the Chinese government is moving troops to the border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe."

First of all, have you been briefed on the situation in Hong Kong?

CARSON: Yes, I think that the administration has a responsibility to urge the Chinese government to uphold the rule, the one country/two systems compromise, that has been enacted.

I think that the chief executive officer, Carrie Lam, should really listen to the protesters concerns about removing this extradition bill and also making sure that law enforcement and the military aren't excessive and they're allowing the protesters to protest peacefully.

But the protesters have a responsibility, too, in making sure they are not beating people up, especially members of the journalist community.

BLITZER: We've seen Chinese media release videos of their military assets near the border with Hong Kong.

If China were to try to put down these protests by major force, what would the appropriate American response be?

CARSON: Well, I think it is important for America to weigh in. Hong Kong is an economic center, one of the largest, arguably the largest, some would say, in the world next to New York. But it is also the center of cultural life in that region, so the United States has a responsibility to weigh in on this matter before it worsens.

It is already hurting the economy there, it is already causing a great deal of angst and anxiety and I think the people want and deserve an end. The protesters are tired and so is the military.

BLITZER: On a different subject, Congressman, you heard Ken Cuccinelli offer this update to the words on the Statue of Liberty. He suggested, "Give me your tired and your poor," and then he added, "who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge."

What is your reaction to that?

CARSON: I think right now -- I think what is happening, the raids that we just saw in Mississippi -- and Chairman Thompson had a powerful statement on that -- I think it is -- I think it is disappointing.

To watch little girls cry, having watched her parents get taken away and deported, having children fear not being able to start school all for the sake of political expediency and framing an issue to make sure a base turns out in 2020 to me is un-American and deeply disappointing.

BLITZER: Congressman Andre Carson , thanks as usual for joining us.

CARSON: What an honor. Thank you, Wolf.

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