Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Trump Touts Strong Economy As Impeachment Trial Looms; Interview with Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI). Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired December 26, 2019 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

RYAN NOBLES, CNN ANCHOR: And Democrat Doug Jones suggested the dots aren't connecting for him yet on the case against the president.

[10:30:01]

Let's talk more about it now with Democratic Representative Dan Kildee of Michigan, of course, on the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as a member of House Democratic leadership. Congressman, thanks so much for being here.

I want to start with your response to what you heard from Senator Murkowski. Do comments like that have any bearing on the majority leader's behavior going forward?

REP. DAN KILDEE (D-MI): Well, they should. I don't know that they will, because the majority leader has made it very clear that he is responsible only to President Trump, which is obviously very unfortunate. He has sworn an oath to the president somehow.

He should listen to his fellow senators, particularly Republican senators like Senator Murkowski, who is expressing what I think what is a very broadly held view. Mitch McConnell should not be coordinating and fully responding to the White House when it comes to how he determines to conduct this trial. He has a responsibility -- whether he's made his mind up or not, he has a responsibility to conduct the trial in a way that allows the facts to be heard and let others make up their own minds, even if his is closed.

NOBLES: So in that same interview, Senator Murkowski said that she felt that the House process was rushed. Democrats are now really criticizing Republicans for rushing a Senate trial. I mean, is there appear to be a contradiction here between the way both sides view how the other's handled the process?

KILDEE: Yes. I mean, I think, unfortunately, you're going to see a lot of that back and forth. I think from the House standpoint, I think we can clearly defend the process that we used. We announced the process some time ago. We held a number of depositions, those led to public hearings and then, ultimately, the two articles that were put forward.

Would it have been better had the key individuals around the president been allowed to testify in the House process? Yes, it would have. But we felt like we had more than ample evidence to move forward with articles of impeachment.

It would obviously be far preferable that those witnesses, like Mr. Pompeo, Mr. Mulvaney, Mr. Bolton, be called to testify in the Senate trial so that the dots that perhaps Senator Jones hasn't seen connected could be filled in or it could be determined that those dots do not fill together.

So, I mean, obviously, the trial is an important step. It ought to include as much information as possible. And as long as senator McConnell is coordinating with the president, he ought to take the president up. The president has said he would like to have those closest to him testify. If he's telling the truth, all Senator McConnell has to do to move forward on this is agree to that, and I think we can go forward.

NOBLES: All right. So are you worried though at all that instead of focusing on recruiting Republicans to remove the president, that your party has actually going to have to do some work with those moderate Democrats, like Doug Jones, but it's not just him, Joe Manchin, Krysten Sinema, perhaps, in Arizona. At this point, they appear to not be in lockstep with leadership.

Is there still some convincing on the Democrat side that needs to be done?

KILDEE: Well, I think the facts are the source of any conviction that people have. In the House, for example, as I'm a senior member of the Whip Team, we did not try to persuade any member of the House to vote one way or the other on the question of impeachment, nor did we try to persuade members as to whether we should open the impeachment process up in the first place. We came to our own conclusions on our own timetable.

And I think the Senate, in a case like this, every senator is going to have to answer, not just to their constituents in this moment. But as I have said in the past, to the future, in my case, I think about my grandchildren. We're going to have to answer for how we acted.

And so I don't think we want to try to persuade senators to vote one way or another. What we need to do is make sure that the facts are fairly presented and let the public and, of course, each senator come to their own conclusion. If that happens, I think we can all rest easy knowing that the process was allowed to work with integrity and the conclusions that we'll come to will be accepted.

NOBLES: So let's talk about that process and when you would feel comfortable that the Senate is doing this in a way that is appropriate. As you know, the speaker right now holding on to those articles of impeachment, until she gets what she views to be a fair trial. I wonder if you supported that maneuver on her behalf and then how long you think she should wait until she gets what she believes is the parameters for a fair trial?

KILDEE: Yes. Well, first of all, on the question of whether I support her, she is making the right decision. The House of Representatives is not absent from the Senate trial. We're not sort of bystanders to it. We have to appoint impeachment managers and organize the case around the structure that the Senate arrives at in order to present our case in the most compelling way. Determining who the impeachment managers, in part, is going to be determined by how the Senate organizes the trial.

[10:35:01]

But I think Senator McConnell needs to stop playing games. He has an important responsibility under the Constitution, not just to defend the president but to conduct a trial in a dignified and open and fair fashion. So when he's willing to do that, then, obviously, we will appoint managers and send that information, the articles over.

But let's also be clear. We're in the holiday season, we voted just in the last few days of the session in December. This trial wasn't going to take place until sometime in January anyway. We have time to get it right.

I am one who don't -- I don't think that we should wait forever. But I do think that the onus, really, the responsibility lies with Senator McConnell to stop being so obtuse and get about the business of organizing this trial, sit down with Senator Schumer, come to some agreement and move forward.

NOBLES: All right. Congressman Dan Kildee, you probably have a couple of days of rest and relaxation before you get back here to Washington and things begin. In crazy earnest, have a Happy New Year, sir. We appreciate you being on, thanks.

KILDEE: Thank you.

NOBLES: And we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:00]

NOBLES: It was an incredible year in sports from controversy on the racetrack to that spectacular World Cup win by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. Andy Scholes has a look back at the biggest sports moments of the year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: From dominant performances to controversy to comebacks, this past year had it all when it comes to sports.

Here is a look at our top nine moments in 2019, and we start with a single tweet that rocked the NBA.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: The NBA is standing up for free speech and behind Houston Rocket General Manager Daryl Morey.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The fallout has been huge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Chinese businesses are cutting ties with the Rockets and the league.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: China Sports Channel now says it will not broadcast any of the NBA games being held in China this week.

SCHOLES: Before the start of the season, Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeting support for the Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters, this caused a firestorm in China, where the NBA is the most popular sports league. Chinese officials condemning the tweet and response from Commissioner Adam Silver, the whole controversy greatly affecting the NBA's bottom line.

ADAM SILVER, NBS COMMISSIONER: We will have to live with those consequences.

SCHOLES: Number eight, what were you doing when you were 16 years old. Well, Cocoa Gauff was capturing the hearts of sports fans everywhere with an incredible run at her first Wimbledon Tournament.

Cocoa, the youngest player to ever make the main draw at Wimbledon, she beat Venus Williams in her first match and advanced all the way to the fourth round before losing to the eventual champion, Simona Halep.

Number seven, controversy on the track.

ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: A stunning outcome at the Kentucky derby.

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: The horse that crossed the finish line first did not win.

SCHOLES: The winner of the Kentucky Derby was disqualified. Maximum Security winning the race, but upon review, was seen veering out of his lane.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He came on a little bit and I ran away, I stayed straight, you know.

SCHOLES: Country House was declared the winner at odds of 65 to 1. Country House had the second longest odds of any Kentucky Derby winner.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Did that really just happen?

SCHOLES: Number six, on January 3rd, 2019, the St. Louis Blues had the worst record in the NHL, but that's when they turned it around.

The Blues' season culminating with them beating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals to win their first ever championship. And Blues super fan Laila Anderson, an 11-year-old battling a life-threatening autoimmune disease, was an inspiration for the team all season. And she got to celebrate with the team on the ice after they hoisted the Stanley Cup.

Number five, 2019 was a year of more controversy for the NFL.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was simple, they blew the call.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Easy call for sure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's tough, tough to swallow.

SCHOLES: The Saints were robbed of a chance to play in Super Bowl LIII when the refs failed to call a pass interference.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Worst call in history. I felt like somebody just robbed my house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Honestly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They didn't throw a flag.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy has to be blind.

SCHOLES: The NFL responded by making pass interference reviewable for the next season.

[10:45:01]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It doesn't help us at all. It's too late.

SCHOLES: The New England Patriots meanwhile beat the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, making Tom Brady the first player in NFL history to win six rings.

Number four, finally something everyone in Washington, D.C. could agree on, that's cheering on the Nationals. The team taking their fans on a miraculous run in the post-season, and for the first time ever, the road team winning every game in the World Series, the Nationals beating the Astros in seven games to win their first ever title.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hope they're ready for a party because we're coming home.

SCHOLES: Number three, it was an emotional year for Simone Biles, as she opened up about being one of the victims of Dr. Larry Nassar and the failure of USA Gymnastics to intervene.

SIMONE BILES, AMERICAN GYMNAST: We've done everything that they asked for, even when we didn't want to and they couldn't do one damn job. You have one job. You literally have one job and you didn't protect us.

SCHOLES: Despite the controversy, the 22-year-old dominated the World Championships to become the most decorated gymnast ever.

SCHOLES: Number two, the U.S. Women's National Team capturing the hearts and minds of people everywhere with their efforts on and off the field.

BALDWIN: The U.S. thoroughly dominant so far.

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team rewriting the record books. CHRISTINE BRENNAN, SPORTS COLUMNIST, USA TODAY: This couldn't have been a bigger story.

SCHOLES: As the team took on opponents in the World Cup, they were battling the U.S. Soccer Federation in their fight to be compensated the same as their male counterparts. The team winning their second consecutive World Cup title beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final, with fans chanting equal pay.

SCHOLES: The women's equal pay lawsuit now looks like it's headed for a trial in 2020 as the team prepares to take the field in the Tokyo Summer Games.

And finally, the number one sports story on our list for 2019, Tiger Woods was back on top of the sports world winning the Masters.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news, Tiger Woods is donning the green jacket once again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tiger Woods has made a fairy tale comeback worthy of the silver screen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is an extraordinary comeback.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The greatest comeback ever.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tiger Woods is back.

SCHOLES: It was Tiger's first win ever in a major since the 2008 U.S. Open. After multiple knee and back surgeries, many didn't know if Tiger would ever win major number 15, but the 43-year-old won the Masters in dramatic fashion, making his ever final round comeback in a Major. Tiger shared the incredible moment with his ten-year-old son, Charlie.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: It has been a year of scandal and missteps for Britain's royal family. We'll take a look at the crown's bumpy 2019.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:50:00]

NOBLES: The British royal family is likely looking forward to a fresh start in 2020 after what Queen Elizabeth herself described as a bumpy last 12 months.

There were some highs, such as the birth of Baby Archie, but a documentary featuring his parents, Prince Harry and Meghan stirred up controversy and in an interview with Prince Andrew that was downright disastrous.

CNN's Max Foster takes a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: It's been a tumultuous and unsettling year for the British royal family with three senior members stepping back from public life. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did so voluntarily but only temporarily after a series of run-ins with the media.

In March, CNN revealed that the palace staff had to beef up their social media operation amid a rise in racist abuse targeting the Duchess. Then in October, the couple revealed in a documentary with ITV how difficult they were finding life in the spotlight. I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought that it would be fair, the Duchess said.

They also went on the offensive over what Harry described as a tabloid campaign against Meghan that mirrored the treatment meted out to his mother, Princess Diana. The Duchess sued The Mail on Sunday alleging that illegally published a private letter to her father. The Duke launched his own legal proceedings against The Daily Mirror and The Sun over alleged phone hacking. All of the publications deny all of the charges and have vowed to fight them vigorously.

The queen's second son, Prince Andrew, also retreated from public life at the end of the year, but this may be longer term. It followed an interview he did with the BBC and the media backlash that followed it in which he talked about his association with a convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein had allegedly trafficked Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 years old and forced her to have sex with the Duke of York and others. He said he had no recollection of ever meeting her and failed to express sympathy for Epstein's victims in the interview or any regret with his relationship with a disgraced financier.

He only did so in a follow-up statement in which he said, I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims. And I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

CNN understands that Andrew decided to step back from his public roles after a meeting with his mother.

[10:55:00]

The Queen remains firmly in charge of the family and has no intention of stepping back from public life herself despite heading into her 94th year.

Max Foster, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: Thousands of people stopped to watch a dramatic sight in the sky on Christmas Day. It was the final solar eclipse the decade. For two minutes, the day went dark as the moon passed in front of the sun's center and it was only visible to lucky watchers in parts of Asia and the Middle East. The next solar eclipse is expected in June of 2020.

Are there cracks forming in the GOP defense of the president? Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski is criticizing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the handling of the upcoming impeachment trial. At This Hour is next after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:00:00]