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Schumer: McConnell "Out Of Line" Coordinating With White House On Impeachment Trial; Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) Discusses Impeachment; Trump Breaks Own Twitter Record During Impeachment; NYT: 13-Year-Old Says Friends Stabbed NYC College Student; Newtown High Wins Championship On 7th Anniversary Of Shooting. Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired December 16, 2019 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:30:00]
JOHN DEAN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Hunter Biden doesn't have such information. Joe Biden doesn't have such information. So they are really trying to keep it very focused.
I think it's fair. And as I've said all along, I think the leverage is if the House says we're not going to send the articles over if this isn't a fair trial.
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I do --
(CROSSTALK)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Please.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIP: I think it's an interesting idea but it's one that a lot of Democrats on the House side have rejected. Partly because there were a group of moderates who were interested in censuring President Trump instead of voting out articles of impeachment.
That idea was really slapped down by a lot of prominent Democrats who say that's not our constitutional charge. If you think there's something wrong we must send this to the Senate for a trial.
So I think it would be difficult for Democrats to suddenly take that route. There's so much -- even though there are a couple dozen moderates or people or who are on the margins of this, on the Democratic side, the caucus is still largely controlled by Democrats who are crystal clear about how they feel about impeachment.
I think it would be difficult for Pelosi to take that step, considering the evidence is so strong on the other side of this issue.
BALDWIN: We'll leave it there.
Abby and John, thank you both so much.
I should note that not all Democrats were quick to decide on impeaching the president, including my next guest, a Democrat who flipped a Republican district. Hear what he decided on impeachment.
And we'll talk about the president's mindset as he's set to become the third president impeached, including a personal record on his tweets.
You're watching CNN. We'll be right back.
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[14:36:26]
BALDWIN: He's reportedly the last Democrat in his state to announce his stand on whether to impeach Donald Trump. Congressman Jason Crow was also among the first moderate voices to help steer Speaker Nancy Pelosi toward this historic path.
Congressman Crow pushing an inquiry back in September this piece with six other Democrats with national security or military background. And now the Colorado representative is telling his constituents why he's going to vote in favor of the articles of impeachment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JASON CROW (D-CO): We are a system based on rule of law, that no man or woman is above or below those laws.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Crow received some cheers at the town hall while outside protesters slammed him for it.
Crow, an attorney and former Army Ranger, was part of that 2018 blue wave, winning Colorado's sixth district, which had reportedly never elected a Democrat.
Congressman Jason Crow joins me now, live from Denver.
Congressman Crow, a pleasure, sir. Welcome.
CROW: Hi. Thanks, Brooke. Thanks for having me on.
BALDWIN: Let's start with your soon to be yes votes. Tell me why you waited this long to say yes?
CROW: Well, I wanted to make sure that we were going through a good process, we're being open and transparent. I was giving a hard look at all of the evidence that was gathered.
That's what I promised my constituents long ago. This would not be a politically driven process. This would be one based on the facts. I would take my time, look at it thoroughly, and that's what I did.
After looking at the facts, we have determined that the allegations that were made several months ago were overwhelmingly corroborated. I said, months ago, that if the allegations were, in fact, true, that that would be impeachable.
After several months of very thorough investigation inquiry, the facts are in, and it is time to proceed with impeachment.
BALDWIN: So you flip the district back to 2018. Congressman, does this yes vote put you at risk politically in the future?
CROW: Well, first, I'm not looking at the politics of this. I don't think you should look at the politics of it. I would tell all my colleagues to put politics aside.
We're dealing with is a president who abused his power, that used national security foreign assistance funds to try to coerce a foreign government to interfere in our elections to his benefit. And in an unprecedented way has obstructed Congress. We've never had a president in history that's obstructed Congress in a way this president has
That's what we're dealing with. Politics should not be a part of this analysis. It's time for everybody, Republicans and Democrats, to fulfill their oath and do the right thing.
My community knows me well. Coloradans appreciate honesty, integrity. They appreciate good government. And they also appreciate someone who has taken an oath following through with that oath.
I've been very clear throughout this process that that is what guides me. And I feel strongly that my community understands and appreciates my approach to this.
BALDWIN: I appreciate your pushing politics aside. That's not something we often hear when talking to members of Congress.
But when you talk about pushing politics aside and honestly, how aware are you, truly, Congressman, this yes vote for you might mean the end of your congressional career?
[14:40:55]
CROW: I don't think so. I disagree with that, Brooke. I'm out in my community all the time. I've done over 200 events in my first year in Congress. I'm out doing coffees on the corner, large town halls, talking to my district all the time. I go everywhere. I don't shy away from questions and conversations.
People are concerned. They're not happy. I'm not happy about this either. I'm not happy that I'm going to have to cast a vote to impeach a president. That's not what I came to Congress to do.
BALDWIN: Sure.
CROW: But people in my community are not happy our president did what he did in Ukraine. They're not happy that we're forced into this position right now.
BALDWIN: To your point of people not being happy, there's a new FOX poll. Let me share it with our viewers. And 50 percent want him impeached and removed. And 4 percent want him impeached and not removed. Do you, Congressman Crow, do you want President Trump removed from office?
CROW: What I want is a fair trial. I don't -- I know earlier in the program, you heard from Senator Schumer. I want a fair trial to make sure that we get the facts, the full facts in front of the American people at the Senate level.
There's an overwhelming body of evidence calling for impeachment. We're going to send that to the Senate and the Senate has to do its job. I feel confident we have followed a process that is fair, that is open, that follows the meaning and intent of the Constitution.
We're going to fulfill our duty this week. And it's going to be time for the Senate to fulfil their duty.
BALDWIN: Lastly, your Colorado counterpart in the Senate is one of those few Republicans that everyone is watching to see if they get on board with the Democrats' request to have these witnesses there. What is your advice for Senator Cory Gardner?
CROW: My advice is, it has to come back to your oath. I'm a combat veteran. I was an Army Ranger. I've taken many oaths in my life. I took the first oath when I was a teenager. I'm not going to tell you how many decades ago that was, Brooke. I took many oaths. They mean a lot to me. They are my North Star in so many ways.
Go back and read that oath that you took. Think about what it means at a time when we put politics aside, our own interests aside.
One of the things that makes this country so amazing, we have men and women over the course of this country's history that have put aside their own self-interests and their own personal wellbeing to stand up and do what's right for their country and community. And we're in one of those times right now.
BALDWIN: Congressman Jason Crow, a pleasure. Thank you.
CROW: Thanks, Brooke.
BALDWIN: She was one of the president's 2016 rivals, and now Carly Fiorina says it's vital the president be impeached, but that she may vote for him anyway. We have that conversation.
Also, ahead, new details in this murder case that's rattled New York City. A 13-year-old suspect appears in court. He's talking to police about the final moments of Tessa Major's life.
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[14:47:38]
BALDWIN: As the Democratic majority in the House prepares to impeach President Trump, the president is making history in another way. On Twitter last week, he broke his own record, lashing out against impeachment, among other topics, tweeting 124 times in a single day. This week is shaping up to be similar and it's only Monday.
Chris Cillizza is here, CNN politics reporter and editor-at-large.
Remember last week when you showed the big 124 number, you were like, you know, shouldn't he -- there are other things that he -- he's a busy guy.
CHRIS CILLIZZA, CNN POLITICS REPORTER & CNN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: You would think he would have other things to do. But what we talked about last week, throughout his presidency and campaign to be president, the most telling window into his psyche, into what is really on his mind, is not public statements but his Twitter feed.
I've always said to people, follow the Twitter feed. That's him. Everything else gets cycled through a bunch of advisers.
To that end, Donald Trump, this, today, as you said, what a week and it's Monday. Fifty-five tweets just today. The Democrats expect the party -- just since Friday, he didn't have anything much better to do, 130 tweets and retweets, just since Friday.
One other number that will boggle your mind, in the past week 392 tweets and retweets. Well, he can do a lot at once. Maybe.
But he's the president of the United States, right? This is not just me. For example, political journalist, I'm at my kids basketball game, looking at my phone, I hit retweet.
He's the president. So theoretically, there's a lot of big important things he should be doing. Why? Why, is the question. Tweeting so much, more than he's done in the past.
I think this poll number gets to it. FOX News, should President Trump be impeached or removed from House. Yes 50, no 46. It's basically the same as it was in late October. The wording is important. Impeached and removed from office, not just impeached.
I think we are now getting to the point where the Republicans are getting more educated about this. But the House is almost certain to impeachment him later this week. The removed from office is something that hasn't happened before in history. Two past presidents have been impeached but not removed by the Senate.
[14:50:02]
Ae majority of the country wants something to happen that has never happened to a president before. I think that's why you see this barrage of frantic, manic abuse and use of Twitter by the president.
BALDWIN: Trump and his Twitter fingers, it is the tell.
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: You are correct.
CILLIZZA: Thanks.
BALDWIN: Chris Cillizza, thank you. CILLIZZA: Thanks, Brooke.
BALDWIN: The U.S. Navy is investigating gestures made in the crowd at the Army/Navy game over the weekend and whether they are white power signs. You see that there?
Also, seven years after the tragedy at Sandy Hook, the Newtown football team wins the state championship at the very last second. Hear about the emotional story of the players on this team.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
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[14:55:16]
BALDWIN: The 13-year-old suspect in the murder of a Barnard College freshman is telling police he watched as two of his friends grabbed the victim and then one of them stabbed her.
And 18-year-old Tessa Rane Majors was walking in New York City's Morningside Park last Wednesday evening when she was attacked blocks away from the college campus.
Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil at the park last night to honor her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was taken from us too soon. We will all make sure it was not in vain. Look at this park.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: CNN's Brynn Gingras is with me now.
You have an outpouring of support for her there. And back home, we know this 14-year-old who was taken into custody has been released. There's a hearing for a 13-year-old suspect tomorrow?
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Correct. That 14-year- old was brought into custody and we're learning from a source he's been released. He's possibly still involved in this. But at this point, there's not enough evidence to charge him.
Remember, there's a third person that police were looking for and they're still looking for person. Those are the other two people possibly involved with this killing.
The 13-year-old was charged last week. There were three charges. He was brought to family court. That's where we learned about what he was telling police while he was talking to them. Essentially, what he told police is that he was just there, and his
friends were the ones that tried to rob Tessa Majors inside this park in New York City. And they were the ones that committed the killing and that he was just there.
We're learning from his attorney that that's the defense that they're putting out there. I want to say what she said in court. She said, "There was no allegation my client touched the complainant in this case. He was merely present when this took place."
As of now, he has a court hearing scheduled for tomorrow. We know it's family court. It's hard when he's a juvenile. He's just 13- years old. We don't get much information. We know it's a probable cause hearing. We're going to see if there's more evidence to bring this case forward. It's unclear if this will stay in family court or go to adult court.
But, again, some disturbing details coming out of that courtroom.
BALDWIN: We'll follow up with you when that occurs tomorrow and talk about justice for this family.
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: Brynn Gingras, thank you very much.
On to this one. As this football season comes to a close, a Connecticut town celebrated a championship like no other. This weekend marked the 7th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, where 20 first graders and six adults were shot and killed in that elementary school in Newtown. Most of the victims were young that seven years passed marks more time gone from the families.
J.T. Lewis lost his 6-year-old brother, Jesse, in the shooting who yelled for his classmates to run during the pause in the gunfire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is credited with saving nine lives. You can't ask a 30-year Navy SEAL to do that. He did that at 6 years old. It's an amazing legacy to leave behind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: On that anniversary, on Saturday night, that community was brought together for a moment of joy. In a quiet place that aches for it, Newtown High School won its state football championship for the first time in 27 years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god. Oh, my god.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: So good. What a moment.
With me now, Shawn McFarland, a reporter for the "Hartford Courant." He was at this game.
Shawn, thank you so much for being with me.
Can you describe this moment for Newtown, for members who are not from this small community who don't know what it's like to be connected to a tragedy like this? What did this mean?
SHAWN MCFARLAND, REPORTER, "THE HARTFORD COURANT": It meant everything to the community. Just talking with coaches and players after, they were in shock. Winning the state championship alone is enough of a shock and great moment for the community. But when you consider it was seven years after the shooting.
You know, so many fans were there from both sides. Even the opposing fans wore green to honor Sandy Hook.
After the game-winning touchdown, fans mobbed the field. There was a giant congregation of fans and players and families and coaches alike. And they hung around in the field long after the game and celebrated by themselves. It was an amazing moment for the town.
All the players, they kept saying, we love this town. This is for the town, it was for everyone. It wasn't just a football moment. It was a town-wide moment for them. You could tell on their faces and the reaction how much it meant to all of them.
[15:00:03]
BALDWIN: You had reported that some of the players attended Sandy Hook Elementary. Ben Pinto (ph) was one. His younger brother, Jack, was killed in the shooting. He now plays linebacker for Newtown.
