CNN Newsroom: Interview With Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) About Trump's Indictment
Interview
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Well, none of us know what the charges are. I mean, he doesn't know. I don't know. And you don't know. The indictment is sealed until Tuesday. So how they can assert so confidently that there's something defective is kind of a mystery.
You know, we live in a country where we're blessed with a system of laws. Prosecutors are charged with evaluating facts and law and bringing actions without fear or favor in their work, so I think there's a lot of commentary based on no evidence yet.
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Well I think, you know, thinking back, Kevin McCarthy, who is in the majority leader, correctly pointed out that Trump was completely responsible for the riot and attack on the Capitol, as did some other Republicans. Shortly thereafter they started to defend the president. You'd have to ask them why, but it looks to me that it's political obsequiousness. It's catering to his most hardcore -- Mr. Trump's hardcore supporters who are almost unable to come to grips with actual facts when it comes to the ex-president.
I don't know why people are saying what they're doing. All I do know is they have no idea what they're talking about, and I think everybody in the country would be better off if we just stayed calm, take a look at what the indictments actually are. We have a process in this country where if you're charged with a crime, you're entitled to due process.
You're entitled to a presumption of innocence unless you are convicted. And the former president will I hope and believe be entitled to all of those constitutional protections. You know, if this is not a strong case, then he'll win in court. If it is a strong case, I think the people who are suggesting that it's improper will be very embarrassed.
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Well, the committee, after examining the facts for a little shy of two years, came to the conclusion that the ex-president, along with many others, had committed criminal offenses. And we referred that matter to the Department of Justice. I don't know where they are in the investigation. Obviously they need to have the facts themselves and be convinced that there's probable cause to indict and in this case is so high profile.
I'm sure they're also looking at whether they have adequate evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt. That's the standard. I wish that this had gone quicker over them. I think the country is sort of waiting to see what the decision is. And so -- but on the other hand, their job is not the same as the committee's job. They have to go through their processes. I do think the country would be better off sooner they're able to reach a conclusion.
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Well, you'd have to ask him, of course, but the kind of rhetoric he's using is similar actually even more blatant than what he used in the run-up to January 6th. It's very clear that he left with no other possibility. He resorted to the mob on January 6th. I would hope that that would not occur. I mean, my colleague Miss Greene was one of the members who went to the D.C. jail, claiming that individuals, rioters who pled guilty to felonious assault on police officers, were somehow patriots. So I think we need to put her activities in perspective.
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Thank you.
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