CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Senator Dick Durbin

Interview

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BLITZER: We're following multiple breaking stories including President-elect Biden moving ahead with the transition despite absolutely no cooperation so far from the Trump administration. Today, Biden concentrated on national security and foreign affairs.

Right now, we're joined by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. He's a member of the Democratic leadership, the Minority Whip. He's also a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Senator, thanks so much for joining us.

So it's been exactly two weeks since Election Day. How concerning is it that the President-elect still has to rely on outside experts, albeit talented outside experts to give them this kind of information rather than receive the classified daily briefings from senior federal officials. He's certainly entitled to receive that kind of information.

[17:20:14] SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): It is absolutely inexcusable. And the people are paying the price for Americans in terms of our national security to make sure that there's an orderly, peaceful, smooth transition, in terms of our national health at a moment when we're facing the death of almost every hour of more and more Americans, the terrible increase in infections and deaths to COVID-19.

They think that this President, outgoing president, would not even share the information necessary for a smooth transition to deal with this public health crisis is the height of irresponsibility.

BLITZER: Yes. Not only on the public health crisis but our national security issues as well, which leads me to get your reaction to the President's decision now to drawdown U.S. troop levels in both Iraq and Afghanistan to 2,500 by the end of his term, by January 15, five days before the inauguration.

Do you believe that the drawdown is justified by the facts on the ground in those two countries?

DURBIN: I don't believe that this is an orderly drawdown. I think impulsive, rush, shoot from the hip decision because the President is so infamous for it.

And just -- let me put this on perspective for a minute. There is a family in Illinois who has a brother and son, Mark Ferric (ph) who is a prisoner of the Al Qaeda, they believe that his only chance of survival is this negotiation that the President is withdrawing from and walking from. I hope they won't. I hope we can save his life.

But that's what's at stake here, when the President does this impulsive things.

BLITZER: Some believe the President is taking what it's been describe, as I say, is the scorch earth approach to the Pentagon, other federal agencies as he purges senior leadership on the way -- on his way out to door (ph). Does it look like the President is trying to box in the incoming Biden administration before the inauguration?

DURBIN: Well, people have told you that, believe there are some design or strategy behind these tantrums, I'm not even sure of that. I think it's just the President acting out his very concern about the fact that he may have lost the election. Listen, it happens to all of us.

And the fact the matter is, this person needs a good intervention. I'm not sure who can bring it on. But somebody in his family or close friends or someone has got to sit down with him and say stop. Stop what you're doing for the good of this nation. Have a peaceful transition.

Yes, play it out in court if you wish, but don't do it at the expense of people in America who are fighting this pandemic for the security of this country.

BLITZER: I want to get your reaction, it's totally different issue right now. A really awkward development and, you know, unpleasant to put it mildly. You know, I want your thoughts on Senator Ted Cruz calling your Democratic colleagues, Senator Sherrod Brown and I'm quoting Cruz now, "A complete ass," for simply asking Senator Dan Sullivan to wear a mask while presiding over the Senate yesterday.

It's extraordinary that someone would make a reference like to a sitting United State Senator. What's your reaction for that kind of --

DURBIN: I'm afraid it reflects a depths we have drop to in terms of political discourse. It's like being bag, Wolf, you know, it's tough business, it's politics. But at least we try to maintain some decorum between members certainly when it comes to public statements.

I'm sorry about that. The situation is deterrent. It's in the point that Senator Cruz made the statement he gave.

BLITZER: Have you heard comments like that over your years in the Senate by sitting senators against another sitting senator, calling someone complete ass?

DURBIN: Well, there's been some harsh statements. I'm not going to mislead you. But that is above and beyond of anything I've heard before.

BLITZER: Senator Durbin, thanks so much for joining us. Stay safe out there.

DURBIN: Thank you.

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