CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview With Rep. John Garamendi

Interview

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All right. Let's talk more about all this particularly about Afghanistan.

Joining me right now, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Democratic Congressman John Garamendi.

Congressman -- good to see you and happy Thanksgiving weekend.

REP. JOHN GARAMENDI (D-CA): Good morning. Same to you.

WHITFIELD: All right. So the Taliban is saying tht peace talks have not resumed with the U.S. despite President Trump's claims to the contrary this week. Have you or anyone on your committee been briefed about these potential discussions?

GARAMENDI: No, we haven't. And it appears as though even the White House staff wasn't briefed. This is just one more example of the helter-skelter -- yes, we are in; no, we're not in -- back and forth that this President's policies create enormous chaos in our government.

WHITFIELD: So during that surprise visit, you know, to Afghanistan, the President said that the Taliban would like a cease fire. Do you have any indication that that is the case?

GARAMENDI: Well, the indication we have is that in the past history, they want a cease fire, but then they don't abide by it. And this one is a difficult thing with regard to this whole issue of Afghanistan.

There are multiple Taliban operations in Afghanistan. They don't coordinate with each other. You may be able to get one or another on board and then a third or fourth goes off in a different direction. One of the great difficulties that exists there.

And one of the reasons we really have to steady the ship of state. We have to have a clear steady policy going forward. And we simply do not have that now.

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk about some other domestic matters turning to the impeachment inquiry. You know, next week, your colleagues in the House Judiciary Committee will begin their proceedings.

What do you expect will happen? What are you hoping to learn?

[11:09:57]

GARAMENDI: Well, the important thing we're going to learn this coming week is what an impeachment is all about.

What are the standards for impeachment? What is the history? What is the constitution?

All of those things are going to be laid out in the first hearing. It's going to be exceedingly important for the American public to understand the particular clause in the constitution that calls for impeachment of an official, president or other official of government, who is acting beyond the best interest of this nation. Perhaps it's bribery, treason or acting in their own self-interest not in the interest of the American public and the American state.

So that's going to be laid out -- very, very important foundational knowledge for the American public to pay attention to what this is all about.

WHITFIELD: You had seen a recent polling showing that half of Americans polled believe that the President should be impeached and even removed from office. But are you concerned that even as it enters this next phase, that people are fatigued by the process and may not be fully engaged.

GARAMENDI: I think they will become engaged. They certainly became more engaged through the two weeks of hearing that the intelligence committee had.

This will be another piece of the puzzle going forward. And the American public is very, very concerned. They may 50 percent or more support impeachment and removal.

The really important matter here is for the American public to understand the offenses that Trump has committed in Ukraine and beyond, the cover ups, the obstruction of justice. All of those things will be laid out in the weeks ahead.

Will it move the American public? We'll see. But clearly this president is operating in a way that we've never, ever seen before, even with Nixon.

WHITFIELD: And in all of this, the White House has an opportunity to participate in these hearings. They have stone walled past requests for witnesses and documents. Why is it important that the White House be involved and do you believe that they will take up on this offer?

GARAMENDI: Well, one of the defenses that the White House has continually made is that this is an improper inquiry in which they've not had a chance to participate. That's simply never been true. And now clearly, the invitation went to the President and to the President's lawyer to participate in the judiciary committee hearings.

And in the previous intelligence committee hearings, certainly the Republicans had equal time with their own counsel and with each of the members of the Republican minority being able to participate in those hearings. So it really puts to a lie the White House's strategy.

WHITFIELD: Many Americans, you know, see this upcoming 2020 presidential election as a less divisive way in which to hold the President, you know, accountable. Do you believe that people will appreciate this phase prior to election day in which they could express whether they want this president in or out of office?

GARAMENDI: Well, we'll see where the impeachment goes itself and the trial in the Senate should it come to that, what will come of all of that.

But clearly, the American public is learning what the President is all about, of what he's done in Ukraine, jeopardizing our national security for his own election benefit. Trying to strong arm, to -- to bribe Ukraine. To help a foreign government interfere in an American election which clearly was what was going on in 2016 with Russia.

And also, the President is actively deflecting the known fact that Russia involved itself, tried to influence the American election in 2016 by saying oh, no, it was Ukraine all along.

This is simply a deflection, and frankly, it is a terrible disservice to our upcoming election where we know from American intelligence agencies and foreign intelligence agencies that Russia is already involving itself in the American 2020 election.

WHITFIELD: And now 11 months out from the Presidential general election, and speaking of 2020, you know, you have yet to endorse a Democratic candidate. Have you made up your mind?

GARAMENDI: I certainly have. I want Joe Biden to be our next president. I want somebody that comes from the middle class, from the working American to be our president, who understands what it is to try to make it in America as a family working in a factory on a construction job or in an office. Trying to put together the necessary resources to educate their kids, to provide their health care.

That's Joe Biden. That's where he's been through his entire career. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Obama during those eight years. Caring about our veterans. Caring about the working men and women. So yes, I'm all in for Joe Biden.

[11:14:58]

WHITFIELD: Was there something that has transpired over the last couple of months that has cemented your view? I mean you listen to some of the critics -- whether it be in the Democratic Party or even beyond -- about Biden that he may not -- questioning whether he's relevant, whether he is, you know, in step and in tune with the American public, you know, spanning so many generations. What is it or is there a moment that solidified it for you?

GARAMENDI: Well, I think it's -- I've been watching all the candidates. Democratic candidates are terrific, each and every one bringing to the debate very, very important issues.

But what really cements it for me is that this government under the Trump administration, is total chaos. The Department of Defense, Homeland Security -- you name it -- every single one of the agencies of the government have been taken down, largely disassembled and in chaos.

We need a president that can put this ship of state back in its correct order so that we have a government that actually functions and has a --

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WHITFIELD: So you see Joe Biden as a mender.

GARAMENDI: Absolutely. Not a divider. One nation, under God -- I'm sure that's what Joe Biden has believed for his entire life as I've watched him over the years. One nation, under God -- that's where he is coming from. And he can pull us together, not divide us, but find the common threads of this nation's future and pull us in a direction that we can all be together.

We have seen the most divisive president ever -- ever in our history -- really tearing us apart. We got to end that. Joe Biden can do that better than any other person that is running for president.

WHITFIELD: And you see him as the most viable candidate in which to take on the incumbent president.

GARAMENDI: Absolutely. The debates will be something. Trump is just vicious. He is vicious. He's a bully. Joe Biden has been in government, vice president, with world leaders, understanding what it takes to stand tall. As a leader next to this divisive bully called Trump, he's going to do very, very well.

WHITFIELD: All right. Congressman John Garamendi -- thank you so much for covering so many bases today for us.

GARAMENDI: Thank you -- Fredricka.

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