CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Rep. Andre Carson

Interview

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BLITZER: Phil Mattingly up on Capitol Hill, thank you. Joining us now Democratic Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana. He's a member of the Intelligence Committee.

Congressman, was Robert Mueller's public statement today sufficient or do you still believe he needs to give public testimony before Congress?

REP. ANDRE CARSON (D), INDIANA: Well, I certainly respect Director Mueller. I respect his work as a Marine and --

[17:15:00]

CARSON: -- as the head of the FBI and his work that has followed with the Justice Department. He's a very smart man. He tends to be an institutionalist or a company man and I respect that position from him.

I think it would do good to come before the Congress so that the American people can see him. Now with that comes the pageantry that exists when you deal with members of Congress who are posturing for the cameras and who are being provocative.

But I don't think that the line of questioning that will come from my colleagues will deter Director Mueller. I think he will remain firm on what is reported.

But I still think it's healthy, for the health of our democracy, Wolf, for him to come before Congress in a public setting to answer serious questions.

BLITZER: Based on what you heard today, Congressman, do you believe Mueller wants Congress to actually open an impeachment inquiry?

CARSON: You know, it's difficult to say. I think in a very real sense, he has left this at the feet of Congress to really deal. And I think that he's very wise in the way he's positioning himself and he's very measured in his tone, which is consistent with how he's been since the beginning of his career.

And so Congress does have a duty. I think Chairman Nadler, as well as Chairman Schiff, as well as Chairman Cummings and the other chairmen and women, Maxine Waters, as well, we've been deliberate in making sure the committees of jurisdiction play their role in unearthing criminal matters and really dealing with the kind of specificity necessary that the Intelligence Committee is tasked with, in looking at the extent of Russia's interference into our electoral process.

It's very clear, it has to be dealt with in a very meaningful way, before we hit 2020.

BLITZER: Should the president be impeached?

CARSON: I don't think we should rule out an impeachment. I do think that there is a delicate balance. I think that some constituents want it. Others want us to move forward.

I don't think we need to rule it out. I don't think we need to let Trump off the hook as it relates to impeachment. We still have a constitutional duty that we have to be a check to the administration's excess.

However, we cannot be distracted and create a dynamic where Donald Trump becomes an underdog and he secures a re-election effort. So I think we have to be measured and really make the case before the American people that an impeachment is necessary.

BLITZER: Well, do you think -- do you think, Congressman, at a minimum, you should at least begin the process, the procedure, start holding hearings in the House Judiciary Committee?

CARSON: I don't think we should rule anything out. Far be it for me to tell Chairman Nadler what to do on his committee. I sit on the Intelligence Committee as well as the Transportation Committee. You know, Chairman DeFazio has worked hard with trying to get an infrastructure proposal. President Trump has left that off the table. You would think with a background as a developer, he would want to deal with our broken infrastructure.

We have over 15,000 roads and bridges that have to be rebuilt, repaved and we're talking about job creation for the next 15 to 20 years. We're talking about $2 trillion, he doesn't want to deal with that. He's distracted, Wolf.

BLITZER: The special counsel also today spoke about the importance of what he called preserving evidence, even if the president is immune from a prosecution while he's in office.

Do you believe Mueller was suggesting that the president could face charges once he leaves office?

CARSON: It's difficult to say. You know, I'm listening to legal scholars speak about what he has said. But it's very clear that Director Mueller has really thrown the football, if you will, to Congress.

And so I think Congress should take the football, not leave impeachment off the table but work very deliberately to look at Russia's interference into our electoral process, look at members of the Trump apparatus and what they've done and their being in cahoots, lying to Congress, lying to investigators, lying to the special counsel, working with the Russian government to achieve an end goal that has been disastrous.

BLITZER: Congressman Andre Carson, thanks so much for joining us.

CARSON: Always an honor. Thank you.

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