MSNBC "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" - Transcript: "Trump casts doubt on Russian interference."
Interview
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VELSHI: Joining us is the man who put the Democrats over the halfway. Joining us is Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal from California. He is now the 118th Democrat in favor of the impeachment an inquiry. Congressman good to have you here, thank you for joining us.
REP. SALUD CARBAJAL (D-CA): Good to be here, Ali.
VELSHI: What made you make the decision because you had to know other than others who have made the decision before you that this would be influential by becoming half of the Democratic caucus? What brought you point?
CARBAJAL: Well, for me it was the consideration of many factors. First clearly the Mueller Report, then to actually hear the testimony. But to see time and time again, the fact that this President and this administration has ignored - have ignored all the subpoenas put forth by Congress. I think is ultimately what did it, along with many conversations that I`ve had with constituents in the district.
VELSHI: Nancy Pelosi has been reluctant obviously to go down this road. Have you spoken to her? Has she had any particular reaction to your decision?
CARBAJAL: Certainly I spoke to her about a week ago. Actually a couple weeks ago and let her know that I was mulling this decision over. And certainly Speaker Pelosi has a number of considerations in making her decision whether at some point we move forward with an impeachment inquiry. For myself I think I reached that threshold based on all the considerations that I mentioned earlier. We saw too many instances where this President either directed or attempted to obstruct justice. I think it`s important that we get all the facts around those incidences so that the American people could see what really went on.
VELSHI: You know your constituents elect you to make decisions on their behalf. And you are obviously moving ahead with your conscience. Are considerations about what kind of pressure this puts on the party or your cactus or Nancy Pelosi? Is that relevant to you or do you feel that by doing this in puts pressure on Nancy Pelosi or do you think that it advantages her to have a number of Democrats saying that they are prepared to move forward with an impeachment inquiry. Her words, last Friday was that it gives her some leverage?
CARBAJAL: I think all of the above, Ali. But I think that for myself. What drives my decision, it`s all about my constituents first and foremost. Secondly, it`s other considerations. But I - I look at what`s in the best interests of my district and my constituents. And for me this is a decision that I have reached.
VELSHI: So what are the concerns that Nancy Pelosi has and others have is that this harkens back to the impeachment of Bill Clinton, which didn`t bode well for Republicans in the next cycle? In fact Julian Castro talked about it during the debate. Let`s listen.
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JULIAN CASTRO (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that too many folks in the Senate and in the Congress have been spoofed by 1998. I believe that the times are different and in fact I think that folks are making a mistake not pursuing impeachment. The Mueller Report clearly details that he deserves it and what`s going to happen in the fall of next year of 2020 if you don`t impeachment him, is he is here to you see the Democrats seemed to go after me on impeachment and you know why because I didn`t do anything wrong. These folks that always investigate me, they`re always trying to going after me when it came down it they didn`t go after me because I didn`t do anything wrong.
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VELSHI: What do you think about that? What do you think about the fact that some people fear doing it because many people including your constituents some of them may not think that`s their priority. So many Americans are sort of struggling to prosper in this economy. And there are some people who say, I don`t want my members of Congress wasting time on this. I want them dealing with things that get me jobs and increase my income. How do you balance that?
CARBAJAL: First it`s apples and oranges, the impeachment that was pursued for Clinton from the impeachment inquiry that would ensue for Mr. Trump. Clearly we have real clear cases of obstruction, of communication with the Russians to try to impact our elections. This is apples and oranges. But let me tell you I think as Democrats we could pursue an impeachment inquiry and still focus on the bread and butter issues that the American people and the residents of my district want us to focus on. Infrastructure lowering health and prescription costs addressing the minimum wage the raising minimum wage and job opportunities for everyone and addressing climate change. We can chew gum and walk at the same time. And I think the American people will come to appreciate even more the fact that we are pursuing what`s in the best interests of our democracy and putting our nation first before party and politics.
VELSHI: There are several congressional investigations going on into Donald Trump that are meaning to pick up where the Mueller investigation left off or to do other things. How do you in your mind you distinguishing between those that are going on that Speaker Pelosi talks about all the time and encourage support of versus impeachment inquiry if your constituents ask you what`s the difference, what would you say?
CARBAJAL: Well, I think we have seen that those investigations have been thwarted by subpoenas not being adhered to, not being responded to, and clearly once we would embark on an impeachment inquiry it adds a totally different complexion to this investigation and it would bring all the investigations into one focus. And I think that`s what the American people want. And need to be able to understand what really transpired here?
VELSHI: Congressman, good to see you thank you for joining me tonight. Congressman, Salud Carbajal of Santa Barbara. Thank you for joining us.
CARBAJAL: Thank you.
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