CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Jason Crow (D-CO) Discusses Impeachment
Interview
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BALDWIN: He's reportedly the last Democrat in his state to announce his stand on whether to impeach Donald Trump. Congressman Jason Crow was also among the first moderate voices to help steer Speaker Nancy Pelosi toward this historic path.
Congressman Crow pushing an inquiry back in September this piece with six other Democrats with national security or military background. And now the Colorado representative is telling his constituents why he's going to vote in favor of the articles of impeachment.
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REP. JASON CROW (D-CO): We are a system based on rule of law, that no man or woman is above or below those laws.
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BALDWIN: Crow received some cheers at the town hall while outside protesters slammed him for it.
Crow, an attorney and former Army Ranger, was part of that 2018 blue wave, winning Colorado's sixth district, which had reportedly never elected a Democrat.
Congressman Jason Crow joins me now, live from Denver.
Congressman Crow, a pleasure, sir. Welcome.
CROW: Hi. Thanks, Brooke. Thanks for having me on.
BALDWIN: Let's start with your soon to be yes votes. Tell me why you waited this long to say yes?
CROW: Well, I wanted to make sure that we were going through a good process, we're being open and transparent. I was giving a hard look at all of the evidence that was gathered.
That's what I promised my constituents long ago. This would not be a politically driven process. This would be one based on the facts. I would take my time, look at it thoroughly, and that's what I did.
After looking at the facts, we have determined that the allegations that were made several months ago were overwhelmingly corroborated. I said, months ago, that if the allegations were, in fact, true, that that would be impeachable.
After several months of very thorough investigation inquiry, the facts are in, and it is time to proceed with impeachment.
BALDWIN: So you flip the district back to 2018. Congressman, does this yes vote put you at risk politically in the future?
CROW: Well, first, I'm not looking at the politics of this. I don't think you should look at the politics of it. I would tell all my colleagues to put politics aside.
We're dealing with is a president who abused his power, that used national security foreign assistance funds to try to coerce a foreign government to interfere in our elections to his benefit. And in an unprecedented way has obstructed Congress. We've never had a president in history that's obstructed Congress in a way this president has
That's what we're dealing with. Politics should not be a part of this analysis. It's time for everybody, Republicans and Democrats, to fulfill their oath and do the right thing.
My community knows me well. Coloradans appreciate honesty, integrity. They appreciate good government. And they also appreciate someone who has taken an oath following through with that oath.
I've been very clear throughout this process that that is what guides me. And I feel strongly that my community understands and appreciates my approach to this.
BALDWIN: I appreciate your pushing politics aside. That's not something we often hear when talking to members of Congress.
But when you talk about pushing politics aside and honestly, how aware are you, truly, Congressman, this yes vote for you might mean the end of your congressional career?
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CROW: I don't think so. I disagree with that, Brooke. I'm out in my community all the time. I've done over 200 events in my first year in Congress. I'm out doing coffees on the corner, large town halls, talking to my district all the time. I go everywhere. I don't shy away from questions and conversations.
People are concerned. They're not happy. I'm not happy about this either. I'm not happy that I'm going to have to cast a vote to impeach a president. That's not what I came to Congress to do.
BALDWIN: Sure.
CROW: But people in my community are not happy our president did what he did in Ukraine. They're not happy that we're forced into this position right now.
BALDWIN: To your point of people not being happy, there's a new FOX poll. Let me share it with our viewers. And 50 percent want him impeached and removed. And 4 percent want him impeached and not removed. Do you, Congressman Crow, do you want President Trump removed from office?
CROW: What I want is a fair trial. I don't -- I know earlier in the program, you heard from Senator Schumer. I want a fair trial to make sure that we get the facts, the full facts in front of the American people at the Senate level.
There's an overwhelming body of evidence calling for impeachment. We're going to send that to the Senate and the Senate has to do its job. I feel confident we have followed a process that is fair, that is open, that follows the meaning and intent of the Constitution.
We're going to fulfill our duty this week. And it's going to be time for the Senate to fulfil their duty.
BALDWIN: Lastly, your Colorado counterpart in the Senate is one of those few Republicans that everyone is watching to see if they get on board with the Democrats' request to have these witnesses there. What is your advice for Senator Cory Gardner?
CROW: My advice is, it has to come back to your oath. I'm a combat veteran. I was an Army Ranger. I've taken many oaths in my life. I took the first oath when I was a teenager. I'm not going to tell you how many decades ago that was, Brooke. I took many oaths. They mean a lot to me. They are my North Star in so many ways.
Go back and read that oath that you took. Think about what it means at a time when we put politics aside, our own interests aside.
One of the things that makes this country so amazing, we have men and women over the course of this country's history that have put aside their own self-interests and their own personal wellbeing to stand up and do what's right for their country and community. And we're in one of those times right now.
BALDWIN: Congressman Jason Crow, a pleasure. Thank you.
CROW: Thanks, Brooke.
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