CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Interview

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[17:21:41]

BLITZER: We're following multiple breaking stories, including a source now telling CNN to expect a flurry of pardons even as the White House is dodging questions about whether the President will pardon Rudy Giuliani or members of the First Family.

We're joined now by a member of the House Democratic leadership, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He's the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us. What's your response to our new reporting that we're expecting what's being described as a flurry of pardons from the President as he continues to discuss possibly pardoning three of his children, his son-in-law, even his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, maybe even himself?

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Wolf, from the very beginning of the Trump presidency has been all about the friends and family plan, how can he enrich himself, his family members, his close friends, the wealthiest 1 percent in this country as evidenced by the GOP tax scam that was his signature piece of legislation.

At this point, nothing would surprise me, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has been an ongoing crime scene. Donald Trump is one of the most corrupt presidents in the history of the Republic, his behavior makes Richard Nixon look like a choirboy.

But, you know, Wolf, at the end of the day, I think it's important for all of us not to look backward. Trump presidency is in his final days, it's limping to the end. We have to look forward because there's so many problems that the American people are confronting, so much pain, suffering and death connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to reach an agreement, we need to provide direct relief to everyday Americans, we need to crush the virus, we need to revive the economy. That's what House Democrats are focused on right now.

BLITZER: I want to get to that in a moment. But let me get your reaction to what we're hearing from the head of the NAACP was pushing the Biden transition team to include civil rights groups in the transition process as the new administration is taking shape and its priorities are being determined. Should the President-elect meet with the NAACP, and other civil rights groups before decisions and appointments are made?

JEFFRIES: I certainly think that that would be a productive conversation. And it should be ongoing, not just in advance of any appointments that are being made. But perhaps most importantly, throughout the duration of his presidency, as we work to deal with issues like the systemic racism that has been in the soil of America for 401 years.

You know, we've come a long way in this great country, we still have a long way to go. We have to deal with issues like criminal justice reform, make sure that we can end the era of voter suppression once and for all, transform policing in America to make it more of a guardian approach to policing as opposed to the warrior approach that has led to some of the tragedies that we've seen such as George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

There's a whole host of issues that have to be dealt with. So yes, I think a conversation at this point in time with respect to appointments is appropriate. Representation matters, substantive change and results of what really are going to matter for the people that I represent in Brooklyn and Queens and for the people throughout this country.

BLITZER: Yes, Derrick Johnson, the head of the NAACP will be joining me here in the Situation Room tomorrow. We'll continue this discussion with him.

But as far as the money needed coronavirus economic stimulus relief, a lot of people, millions of people around the country are suffering right now.

[17:25:09]

As you well know, Congressman, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she now says that the bipartisan proposal that is out there should be the basis for stimulus talks. You're a member of the Democratic Congressional leadership give us some insight into the negotiations and negotiations currently underway. In other words, will there be a deal that will help so many millions of Americans who by the end of this month by Christmas are going to be suffering even worse than they are right now?

JEFFRIES: Well, we should not leave Washington D.C. until there is an agreement that provides meaningful relief to everyday Americans, provides assistance to state and local governments whose budgets have been decimated through no fault of their own. Make sure that we deal with the food insecurity that is skyrocketing throughout America.

Food lines in a district that I represent throughout New York City and beyond are unlike anything that I've seen in my lifetime. We have to make sure that we don't allow approximately 11 million Americans to lose their unemployment insurance assistance which will take place if we don't reach an agreement.

Speaker Pelosi has been working incredibly hard. He's got a great working rapport with Secretary Mnuchin. As she mentioned, and leader Schumer mentioned, we've got a foundation a framework to try to reach an agreement. I'm thankful for the efforts of that bipartisan group of senators.

But we need Mitch McConnell to actually do his job. He can't continue to be doctor obstruction, Mr. No, in his own framing the Grim Reaper when there's so much pain and suffering and death that are being experienced by the American people. So I'm hopeful that Senate Republicans will push Leader McConnell to negotiate in good faith. There are willing partners on our side of the Capitol, led by Speaker Pelosi, and we shouldn't leave until we get something meaningful done for everyday America.

BLITZER: I certainly hope you guys don't leave Washington until there's a deal because so many people are suffering.

I want you to listen to something else, Congressman, this is the former President Barack Obama, what he told Snapchat about what he sees as an issue, an important issue, he says, for your Democratic Party, listen to this.

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BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We stick so long with the same old folks and don't make room for new voices. I don't think that an AOC only got, what, three minutes or five minutes.

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, (D) NEW YORK: Good evening, bienvenidos and thank you.

OBAMA: When, you know, she speaks to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say even if they don't agree with everything she says. New bloods always good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What's your reaction when you hear that?

JEFFRIES: Well, I think that, you know, the Democratic Party is the party of renewal, the party of the future. And we need to continue to create as much space as we can for these emerging voices to be heard in a meaningful way.

It certainly is happening here in the House of Representatives, where Speaker Pelosi has been very clear and ushering in a new generation of folks to work with the current leadership to try to get things done for the people.

We should build upon that, because we do have a real opportunity. We are the party that speaks to the climate crisis. We are the party that speaks to criminal justice reform. We are the party that speaks to creating prosperity and every single zip code and continuing to allow newer voices to emerge, to speak to those issues and support and undergird the tremendous and experienced leaders that we have like Barack Obama, and of course, President-elect Joe Biden, I think that's a powerful combination.

BLITZER: Hakeem Jeffries is the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Thanks so much for joining us, Congressman. Appreciate it very much.

JEFFRIES: Thank you, Wolf.

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