CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Interview
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[18:30:13]
BLITZER: All right. Jessica, thank you. Jessica Dean in Erie, Pennsylvania for us and they were truly stunning scenes at the White House today, hundreds of people, mostly young people, not socially distanced, gathered very close together to hear the President speak, even though the CDC's guidelines specifically cite that events in Washington, D.C. should not exceed 50 people.
Joining us now the Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. Congresswoman Dingell, thanks so much for joining us. We got lots to discuss, especially what's going on in your state of Michigan. But what's your reaction, first of all, to the President's decision to hold this crowded event on the South Lawn of the White House?
REP. DEBBIE DINGELL (D-MI): I like Joe Biden's word of reckless. I try to remain civil as you know, but I have been in just a steady seeds (inaudible) all week. His irresponsibility of leaving that hospital and putting other people at risk just to waive at his supporters, but then when he returned to the White House, knowing he was infectious, ripping off his mask.
He is a leader. People listen to him. They follow him. He is responsible for thousands of deaths, because he doesn't wear the mask. He doesn't listen to the science. He doesn't listen to the doctors. And this week he's just - I am so - I really am angry just in case you can't tell.
BLITZER: I can tell.
DINGELL: The irresponsibility of it all really - I wish it left me speechless. Unfortunately, it doesn't.
BLITZER: Yes, yes. You reflect a lot of opinion out there. Let's talk about this terror plot, this alleged terror plot we should call it to actually kidnap your Governor, Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Here she is, not mincing any words at all in discussing the President. Listen to this.
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GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER (D-MI): Just last week, the President of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn white supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups. Stand back and stand by, he told them. Stand back and stand by.
Hate groups heard the President's words not as a rebuke, but as a rallying cry, as a call to action. When our leaders speak, their words matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The President went on attack, himself, tweeting in part, I'll read it to you, Congresswoman. "Gov. Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job. She locked down her state for everyone except her husband's boating activities. I do not tolerate any extreme violence."
You would think that a sitting governor of any state, especially a big state like Michigan, if there's a plot to kidnap the Governor, the President would call up, say, what can we do. Yes, the Justice Department was involved in this investigation, the U.S. Attorneys, the FBI. But what do you think of that rhetoric that we see coming out of the President right now as far as Gov. Whitmer is concerned?
DINGELL: Wolf, I myself have been the target of some of the President's venom and you don't know, you cannot understand what it is like to be in the middle of that, I'm not even sure of the word to use, when he goes after to you. And I actually want to say that I think that this is broader than the President.
I mean, he has given people license to do some of this activity and I do want to say that the FBI did help the Governor, we need to thank all of law enforcement that thwarted that plan and it's an example of a good job that they do when they really did.
But there are people that need to - their hearts are hardening, they just don't care. They're ignoring what's happening in our country and we can't do that. It's all of our responsibility. So when people just want to ignore it or not vote as Joe Biden talked about today, it's not OK.
So yes, the President has probably been encouraging some of this but I think all of us have to take responsibility for speaking up and speaking out. And looking at social media and the license it's given to people, the bully and the ugly rhetoric (inaudible) the vitriolicness. We all need to take a look at what's happening around communities.
BLITZER: Yes. Because I remember back in April the President tweeted, let me put it up on the screen. These two words and it was pretty ominous at the time, liberate Michigan. I take it Congresswoman, you've received some threats yourself, if you can, share with our viewers what's going on in Michigan right now, not only the alleged plot to kidnap the Governor, but I assume others are being targeted as well.
DINGELL: It's probably best not to talk about it at all on cable.
[18:35:00]
But I have had militia in front of my house with assault weapons and you've seen the State Capitol where there were men with assault weapons up in the galleries while the legislature was meeting. And quite frankly, I do not understand why assault weapons are allowed in the state capitol, everybody not getting together and banning them.
There's a lot of anger out there. We could disagree with each other agreeably, that would bring civility back. I'll tell you, it's disturbing what's happening, but we all have to take some responsibility for it. We have to say, this isn't who we are. It's time for us to come back together. We're not each other's enemies. We are Americans first.
BLITZER: And then we're showing our viewers some pictures of what was going on in the State Capitol. You could walk into the State Capitol in Michigan armed with an AR-15 or any other weapon, loaded, that weapon is loaded. I was speaking with your Attorney General yesterday and she told me you can't go into the state capitol with a sign because that might damage the wall, but you could go in with a loaded weapon.
There's something wrong with that image that we're seeing right now. Congresswoman Dingell, good luck over there. Be careful. We'll stay in close touch. Thanks so much for joining us.
DINGELL: Thank you.
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