Rep. Crow Critiques Trump’s Rhetoric on CBS’ “Face the Nation”
During a recent episode of CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo.) voiced concerns regarding former President Donald Trump’s “inflated and dangerous statements.”
A partial transcription follows:
MARGARET BRENNAN: It was that video which stirred some of the president’s comments. I want to discuss the current situation. I’ve heard about a bomb threat directed at your office in Aurora, Colorado, and that your family has been receiving distressing death threats. Here are some examples of the communications your office has received.
UNIDENTIFIED CALLER 1: I hope you all get killed.
UNKNOWN CALLER 2: You’re not an American, you’re a communist.
Brennan: These appear to be calls made to your office. How credible are these threats?
Crow: I’m not sure, Margaret. We will take these seriously, but it’s troubling that the president of the United States is using such rhetoric, threatening execution and arrests, and people are listening. This has happened before: Presidents have used inflammatory language that leads to action. I experienced the January 6th events; it feels alarmingly similar. Trump has been making statements for years without considering the ramifications of what he says once it’s released to the public.
BRENNAN: The president made several social media posts, downplaying those threats by claiming they weren’t death threats. He noted that in the past, seditious acts were often met with severe punishments. Before today’s interview, he stated on social media, “The traitors who advised the military against following my orders should be jailed now instead of roaming the fake news networks.” He emphasized that there can be no other interpretation of those statements. What do you think he means by all this, especially regarding military tribunals and the Department of Justice?
Crow: Honestly, I don’t know what he’s implying either. He is being reckless and dangerous in his words. There are two issues at hand, Margaret. Firstly, the irresponsible and threatening language from the president against Congress members who don’t share his views. Secondly, it’s telling how Congress members fail to remind service members of their duty to uphold the Constitution and laws, instead choosing to resort to threats, which reveals everything about Trump’s understanding of the Constitution and the rule of law. This really makes our point.
