CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview With Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA)
Interview
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BLITZER: Yes, we will see what he has to say tomorrow afternoon.
Pamela, thank you very much.
Let's talk about all the breaking news with Congressman John Garamendi, a Democratic who serves on the Armed Services Committee.
Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.
And let me get -- let me get your reaction to this announcement from the president. He's going to have what he calls a major announcement concerning the humanitarian crisis on the southern border and the shutdown.
What do you anticipate?
REP. JOHN GARAMENDI (D), CALIFORNIA: Well, just give me a few seconds to digest all that you have just said in the last nine minutes.
I mean, this just sets your head spinning. What in the world is going on in America? What is happening here to us? I don't know what he has in mind. His previous announcements really hearken -- caused me to hearken back to the announcement that he said zero tolerance, which then set off the separation, if you would, the kidnapping of children from their parents.
And then I don't know what else he's going to do. The border wall isn't -- this isn't about a border wall. These people are coming seeking asylum. And they're not trying to enter the country illegally, but, rather, legally.
We will see what it's all about.
BLITZER: We will see.
GARAMENDI: But, yes, my head is spinning about, what in the world is he going to do next?
BLITZER: Yes.
Well, let's talk about some of that stuff, including the latest Michael Cohen news.
GARAMENDI: Right.
BLITZER: If Robert Mueller has evidence that proves this BuzzFeed report to be true -- and we have not confirmed it -- no other major news organization has confirmed it -- that the president actually directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress, is that obstruction of justice?
And would you and your fellow Democrats in the House begin impeachment proceedings?
GARAMENDI: Well, let me start with those two words. If true, the answer to your question is, yes, there would be impeachment proceedings, because, on the face of the evidence, if true, on the face of the evidence, he has committed a high crime.
I'm really interested in this business about an indictment. The Constitution says high crimes and misdemeanors, and then removal by impeachment. It doesn't say anything about not being charged or indicted on a high crime.
So we will see what all that plays out. But the answer here is, if true, then there has been a crime, a high crime. That then requires us, in my view, to proceed with an impeachment.
BLITZER: Do you have any independent confirmation, Congressman, that this BuzzFeed report that the president directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress, do you have any confirmation of that?
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GARAMENDI: No, I do not.
BLITZER: The president tweeted that Michael Cohen is -- quote -- "lying to reduce his jail time." And he also said these words: "Watch father-in-law."
Michael Cohen's adviser, Lanny Davis, says they fear the president -- that the president's supporters here in the United States or abroad might be motivated to harm Michael Cohen.
Should that be seen as witness tampering by the president?
GARAMENDI: Well, it certainly puts the fear into Michael Cohen and his family. Also, I think the word was used he's a rat.
Now, there's an interesting word that is often associated with New York mafiosos.
I'm wondering what -- not wondering -- if I were Michael Cohen, I would be very, very concerned about my personal safety and the safety of my family.
BLITZER: The president's nominee to be the attorney general of the United States, William Barr, wrote in a memo last year -- and let me read a sentence from that memo -- quote -- "If a president knowingly destroys or alters evidence, suborns perjury, or induces a witness to change testimony or commits any act deliberately impairing the integrity or availability of evidence, then he, like anyone else, commits the crime of obstruction."
Those are the words of the attorney general nominee. So how do you expect the Mueller team and the Justice Department to
proceed with this new reporting that Mueller may very well have confirmed for himself?
GARAMENDI: Well, I think the word proceed is not correct here.
I am sure they are way ahead of what the news has been reporting today. Mueller has been going through this for almost 18 months now. The result of that is, I believe, he has the information. I hope he packages it up. I hope he gets us to it right away.
And I do know this. I do know that the Congress of the United States will be conducting hearings, will be issuing subpoenas, and will be proceeding in a way that will not interfere with the Mueller investigation, but will produce additional information that may be foundational to the impeachment process.
BLITZER: Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.
GARAMENDI: Good to be with you.
BLITZER: Appreciate it.
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