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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Erin Burnett on CNN’s Outfront tonight to discuss the Senate beginning the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Excerpts and links to the interviews are below.
On the constitutionality of the trial:
“I'm not a lawyer. A plain reading [of the Constitution] seemed pretty clear to me that [impeachment] was beyond our jurisdiction. That said, a majority voted that it was not and it is within our jurisdiction and tomorrow we start the trial.”
On today’s presentations:
“While [the House Managers] made a superior presentation, the presentation for the defense is an easier one. It's a plain reading of the Constitution. So they were adequate to that task. They didn't spend very much time on it. Frankly there's not a lot of time to spend on it. It's not a complicated question.”
On January 6:
“The question isn't whether or not that was an awful night or whether the people that broke multiple laws hurt people, killed people, stormed the Capitol trying to stop us from doing our constitutional duty weren't wrong. They were clearly wrong. There were awful things that happened and they should all be punished, but I don't think diverting the blame from them to the president because he gave a speech, that's the question in front of us.”
“I think [former President Trump] bears some responsibility for ramping up the rhetoric, there's no question. I said that day that was recklessness in my view. But again, we're talking about a different standard here. We're talking about a standard of inciting violence. I don't think it meets that standard. I think -- one of the things I think that the president's lawyers did very well and that is reminded us without apology of how very, very precious our constitution is, particularly freedom of speech and freedom of expression at a time when we're experiencing cancel culture, where big tech is shutting down whoever they feel like shutting down. I think that's an important point that can't be lost on a night like this.”
Senator Cramer also joined Point of View with Chris Berg, where he shared his thoughts on the impeachment trial, as well as the National Guard presence at the United States Capitol.
“I would hope as soon as we are done with this impeachment trial, the razor wire comes down, the fences come down,” said Senator Cramer. “Our National Guard troops are fantastic and I thank them every time I see them. I love our National Guard, I love our police officers, they are all great, it’s not their fault [they are here]. I feel badly for how many of them are feeling right now. I would buy them all dinner if I could.”
