'This Week' Transcript 3-12-23: Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Mike Turner, and Jennifer Homendy

Interview

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Well, good morning, Martha.

Well, first off, I think what we heard clearly from the intelligence community is the emergence of China as a threat, both militarily and through espionage, and as the senator was just saying, through technology, quantum technology computing, also certainly the ability for them to insert themselves through TikTok into our data systems. We worked really hard to get them out of our telecommunication systems with -- by getting rid of Huawei systems in our telecommunication, and then we're handing over our phone systems by people downloading a TikTok app, which has no division between, you know, the Chinese company, the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party.

So I think that the difference I think is that the -- the Biden administration appears to be much too timid. They've been much timid in their approach to Russia, always on the -- having been pushed by Congress before they would fully support Ukraine. And I think even in China they're afraid to provoke. And we -- we believe, I think most, who have looked at the intelligence, that look at what's happening with their military buildup, they're tripling their side of their nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, they're expanding their -- their shipbuilding, they're absolutely emerging as a military threat to the United States. I think we need to respond, and respond very strongly.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Well, in a number of areas, when the -- when the administration came in, there were policies in place in the Trump administration which they rescinded, one of which was a ban on TikTok. The Trump administration, in August of 2020, had banned and required a disinvestment by China of TikTok. The administration reverse that in June of 2021.

They also had a -- the Department of Justice, a program that was directed at Chinese espionage. They -- they were concerned that it was too provocative and that it's -- that it might be targeting individuals and so -- which, of course, we wanted to target China and so they disbanded that -- that program, which had been set up under the Trump administration. So, there's a number of things where they've -- they've dismantled them where, right now, we're having debates about putting them back.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Absolutely. And I think that, of course, is a reflection on the Biden administration.

You know, when the president came in, he had very harsh words for Saudi Arabia. You know, at the same time that we were working with Saudi Arabia to try to strengthen their defenses against Iran, Iran actually attacked Saudi Arabia. Instead of the -- this administration stepping forward and being a partner to Saudi Arabia, our ally, and working with them to defend themselves against attacks from Iran, they subjected Saudi Arabia to a significant amount of criticism and were slow to react and respond to the military needs of -- of Saudi Arabia.

So, it's not unexpected that they might look elsewhere for support. It certainly is very unexpected and certainly very troubling and disappointing that they would turn to Iran.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Well, actually what I said is, I think there's significant evidence that lends itself to that. And -- and I still do. That's why you just saw unanimously both the Senate and the House pass legislation demanding that the administration declassify the intelligence the intelligence community has with respect to Covid-19. It is incredibly frustrating for members of Congress to watch Dr. Fauci go on television and say things that are absolutely not supported by the intelligence. We're seeing the intelligence. It's not like we voted to say, show us the intelligence. We've seen it. We've voted to say, show the American people. They're not getting the straight answer from Dr. Fauci or from this administration. They need to be able to see for themselves that they -- what has occurred. And I understand that Dr. Fauci has a reason to say that there was not a lab leak, because he was actively working to fund the lab in -- in Wuhan. So, you -- you see a gentleman who is -- who is biased. I think this (INAUDIBLE) in public this straight --

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Well, I think the evidence totally shows it, that there is funds over which he has control that ended up at the Wuhan lab. So, at this time, you've got a guy who's going on national television, I believe, and I think members of Congress believe, saying things that are not reflected in the intelligence. So, our view is, show the American public the intelligence and then you -- Martha, you can have the intelligence in front of you. And the next time Dr. Fauci's on you can say, hey, but the intelligence actually says x, and you can challenge him.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Thank you, Martha.

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