CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Senator Mazie Hirono

Interview

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D), HAWAII, ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Well, she's also not talking about chaos in the world and Wall Street, chaos with regard to North -- with North Korea, I should say. And whether or not we're going to get any kind of gun legislation that's reasonable and rationale, we don't know because I personally have experienced what we call the Tuesday Trump, where he says certain things, and then we get the Thursday Trump.

So with regard to guns, he said he had a great meeting with the NRA so I guess the NRA is yelling in his ear after they saw what he said on what we call the metaphoric Tuesday Trump.

BERMAN: Were you encouraged -- I think it was Wednesday, right, actually in this case --

HIRONO: Yes, I know.

BERMAN: I know. I understand what you're saying.

HIRONO: It becomes a new description, Tuesday Trump or the Thursday Trump.

BERMAN: In this case, the Tuesday Trump on Wednesday held a meeting with Democratic senators.

HIRONO: Yes.

BERMAN: Where he seemed to come out in support. In fact, it wasn't seemed. He did come out in support of some gun control measures. Were you encouraged when you heard that on Wednesday?

HIRONO: But you always have to wait for the Thursday Trump where in this case maybe the Friday Trump where he says he had a great meeting with the NRA. So as with so many other important issues, we don't know where the president stands and that's why the Congress, House and the Senate, should act like the independent branch of government that it is and do what we need to do.

And as far as I'm concerned, really it is not asking too much what the students are saying that we need to have good background checks, we need to raise the age, all of those things are rational. I'd like to get rid of assault weapons.

BERMAN: So are you saying, though, that when the president says these things in these meetings, you simply don't believe him?

HIRONO: Pretty much. He has set a pattern of behavior. It is not as though we don't give him an opportunity to say what he means and does it, but more often than not on these issues he says one thing then a day or two later, maybe not even a day, he does a completely different thing. So the unpredictableness of this president is well known. But the bottom line is, in my view, it's all about himself, all the time, every time, and when he's under attack, he goes through his base and he says those things that he thinks will speak to his base and that will protect him and get us distracted from whatever is going on.

And there is a lot going on with regard to his own White House and people leaving, the Russia investigation that absolutely has to continue and more revelations coming out on a regular basis. The Mueller investigation is one of the most critical things we can do.

BERMAN: Senator, he also, yesterday, announced tariffs on aluminum and steel imports.

HIRONO: Yes.

BERMAN: Some Democrats have supported this. Sherrod Brown of Ohio came out and said that this will help protect the steel workers in his state. Where do you stand on this?

HIRONO: It is one of those issues that before he makes the big announcement, he should be talking with different people, groups and advisers as to what the ramifications will be. Certainly our own steel and aluminum manufacturers like it. But what's going to happen to those companies and manufacturing entities that use steel and aluminum, and what ultimately is going to be the result for consumers who will probably pay higher prices for the goods that they buy?

BERMAN: Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate your time.

HIRONO: Thank you.

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