CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. Ruben Gallego

Interview

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Let's get more on all of the day's developments with Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Congressman, thanks for joining us.

Let me talk to you first about what happened in London. Sources say the suspect in the deadly stabbing was released from jail for previous terror offenses -- after previous terror offenses.

What does that say about the authorities' ability to contain this threat, and I guess the possibility here that somebody was released and then did something like this and caused this kind of panic in London today?

REP. RUBEN GALLEGO (D-AZ): Look, I really can't comment on the British parole system. I'm not an expert in that area.

But, first of all, the most important thing we should say is that us, as Americans, we are here to stand by our British cousins while they deal through this horrible attack.

At the same time, we have to also understand the nature of terrorism now. We're going to see more and more of these types of lone wolf attacks. London, unfortunately, has seen more share than others. And we have to really ramp up our law enforcement efforts and intelligence-sharing efforts with our counterparts to make sure that we can try to stop these actions before they actually get going.

ACOSTA: And, Congressman, we're getting new information related to the impeachment inquiry.

The Ukrainians, from what we understand, they're still considering opening investigations that could benefit President Trump in order to improve the strained relationship.

What is your reaction to that?

GALLEGO: Look, I think what has been the most successful thing that has occurred for Ukraine is the fact that there has been bipartisan support against Russia and in support of Ukraine.

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As a matter of fact, I actually pushed on the Obama administration to release lethal aid, specifically with anti-take weapons called Javelins, even against the wishes of that administration.

I think it'd be a big mistake on their part to not continue seeking bipartisan support. And by then getting involved in this sham investigation, I think that they would probably hurt their position, at least in the standing of many Americans.

ACOSTA: And what will that say to you, if the administration decides to not send anybody up there, no lawyers, the president doesn't appear, and so on?

GALLEGO: Well, look, I think the president is in a very bad situation. He basically admitted to the crime in his transcripts.

We have some very good testimony from Colonel Vindman that he overheard the actual attempt at the bribery. So I wouldn't be surprised if, at the end of the day, the president doesn't show up, because their only option is to basically obstruct us, because they know that the real crime occurred.

They know that the president himself cannot go under oath because he will self-incriminate himself. And, at the end of the day, it's hard to hide a crime when you actually committed the crime. And that's exactly what happens with this president.

ACOSTA: And based on what you see right now, you would vote to impeach the president?

GALLEGO: Well, everything that I have seen so far, specifically when the president said in his transcript that he was going to -- was asking a favor from the Ukrainians to open up this investigation, at that point, that's all I needed.

I'm glad that we went through this process. I'm glad that we showed even a grander conspiracy than we actually all thought or knew, because I think it's very important for the public to understand it.

But this president tried to extort a foreign government using U.S. taxpayer funds. That's illegal. That's a crime. The president shall be held accountable.

You can't indict a president of the United States. However, we have one recourse, and that's impeachment. And that's what we're taking.

ACOSTA: And what will it say, though, if Democrats move forward on impeachment without having persuaded any of your Republican colleagues?

GALLEGO: Well, I think it's a better -- look at it this way.

What does it say about Republicans the fact that, given all the evidence, they're still not going to impeach a president that sold out his country for personal favor?

It's a sad statement, what happened to the Republican Party, after we show evidence upon evidence upon evidence that this president is corrupt, was attempting to bribe and extort another country, and they still are not willing to join us in doing our constitutional duty and protecting the United States and the integrity of the office of the presidency.

I think it's a sad statement on the Republican Party.

ACOSTA: Do you think the speaker will want to move forward...

GALLEGO: I think they're all going to regret it.

ACOSTA: Do you think the speaker will want to move forward, that Democrats or want to move forward if they know full well that no Republicans are going to be on board?

GALLEGO: Well, absolutely.

Look, the Constitution of the United States does not say anything about impeachment only if you can do it in a bipartisan manner. There's a reason why they did that. Our founding fathers realized that there would be some cowardly party that would not participate in protecting the Constitution of the United States.

So, therefore, we're actually going to fulfill our duty. If the Republicans want to look back 10 years from now and realize what a mistake they did and what a dishonor they brought to their party, that's their -- that's their responsibility.

My job is to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

ACOSTA: And moving on to what we saw over the Thanksgiving holiday -- you're a veteran of the Iraq War. Do you give President Trump some credit for visiting the troops in Afghanistan for Thanksgiving?

GALLEGO: Oh, absolutely. And I'm glad.

I wish he would have done it earlier. I think it's always great for our elected officials to actually visit us in the field. It's a great way for them to learn about what exactly is happening.

I wish the president would actually do it more often, and actually talk to more members of the Armed Services Committee -- I'm sorry -- more members in the armed services -- or Armed Services Committee -- that's fine also -- but largely because I want him to learn.

I want him to learn more about the military, that we're not just a photo op opportunity, and also learn how not to interfere, I think, in some inappropriate manners, for example, the fact that he just pardoned three soldiers that had just gone through the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

He interfered for political reasons. And I think that it was severely detrimental to good order and standing within the military. ACOSTA: OK, Congressman Ruben Gallego, we appreciate you coming in on

this day after Thanksgiving. And happy holidays to you. Appreciate you coming by.

GALLEGO: Thanks, Jim.

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