CNN "The Lead with Jake Tapper" - Transcript: Interview with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Interview

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SCIUTTO: We are back with the breaking news. EPA administrator Scott Pruitt has resigned. Pruitt facing at least 14 federal probes regarding his spending, his management, ethics while in office. Just a short time ago, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted the following, quote, Scott Pruitt was the worst EPA administrator in the history of the agency, not only has he acted time and time again in unethical manner but he has led the agency in exactly the wrong direction.

Joining me on the phone is Senator Sanders himself.

Senator Sanders, thank you so much for taking the time.

Your reaction to Pruitt's departure?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I), VERMONT (via telephone): Well, you read it. I think this guy has done in callable harm to environmental protection in this country. And he has also ethically challenged.

But the major concern that I have is that at a time when climate change is the great environmental crisis facing this planet, and just this week we have seen reports of community fall over America and the world, seeing the highest temperatures they've seen. We have an EPA director who doesn't believe in climate change, let alone propose ideas to address the crisis.

In my view, Pruitt has been nothing more than an agent for the fossil fuel industry. Much more concerned about their profits than the needs of the American people. So I'm delighted that he's gone.

And what we have got to do now is to see if we can get a handful of Republican senators to understand the climate change is real, that environmental protection is enormously important for this country, and get them on board to demand that Trump appoint an EPA Administrator who represents the American people and not just the fossil fuel industry.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Senator Sanders, President Trump has said that the acting deputy Pruitt's deputy will take over as acting EPA Administrator. He is Andrew Wheeler. He himself was a long time coal lobbyist. He worked for Senator Inhofe who as I know you know is a climate change denier himself. Do you see any hope with Pruitt's replacement in light of that background?

SANDERS: No. I think he should be vigorously replaced. But the American people are clear. They understand that climate change is it real. They want a planet habitable for our children and grandchildren. And you don't need representatives of the coal industry or the fossil fuel industry to be making -- to be making policy. We need people making policy who understand that environmental protection is enormously important for the future of this country.

SCIUTTO: How do democrats block him assuming he goes on for full confirmation? You need, as you said, you need -- you would need Republican votes to do so.

SANDERS: Well, I think I would drop -- look, not every Republican agrees with Trump or Pruitt, that climate change is a hoax. There are many Republicans understand that it is real, that is enormously serious issue. And we need three or four of them to join us in saying that we need an EPA administrator -- I know this is a radical idea, who actually believes in environmental protection rather than just the profits of the oil industry or the gas industry or the coal industry. That's what we need to do. And we've got to put pressure on our Republican colleagues to get them on board.

SCIUTTO: It is both, as you say, climate change issue but it's also the regulation issue. And Pruitt has led rolling back a whole host of regulations, mercury in the air, you name it. I'm curious, and Paul Begala raised this point earlier on our panel, you know, why haven't Democrats been able to make that campaign issue, repeal to voters in a way that focuses on environmental regulations? SANDERS: Well, as opposed to what else? As opposed to trying to Trump trying to throw 32 million people off of health insurance as opposed to his racism, as opposed to his policies of separating tiny children from their mothers? As opposed to his you know, trying to destroy long-term alliances that we have with allies all over the world? The problem is there are so many things that Trump is doing that you know, environmental issues became one of many. But I do agree with Paul, this is a major issue. I think when you look at the future of this planet, if we don't get our act together and transform our energy system and move to energy efficiency and move to sustainable energy, I worry very much about the kind of planet we are leaving future generations. So this is issue of enormous consequence. Except when you deal with Trump, we are dealing with many, many issues of enormous consequence.

SCIUTTO: Senator Bernie Sanders, thanks so much for taking the time.

SANDERS: Thank you. Thank you.

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