Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to jail members of the January 6th Select Committee, cabinet nominations, and more.
Key Excerpts:
On the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection:
[…] First of all, that day when we peacefully transfer power, historically, peacefully transfer power is a real, solemn occasion, I think, for the whole country. But it has another meaning now that we had this terrible, violent attack four years ago. For those of us that were there in the Capitol, it’s going to be, I think, quite an emotional experience to be back in that environment on that day.
I invited Daniel Hodges, one of the Metropolitan Police officers, who was being crushed in that revolving door, to remind people of what that day was really like, given all the revisionist history around it.
But if the President goes forward with pardoning vast numbers of people involved in that violence, he will begin his new administration the way he ended his last administration, and that is by celebrating violence against our democracy. I think it would be a terrible start. Send a terrible message about our democracy, about lawlessness, about people who attacked police officers. Exactly the wrong message. And the wrong way to start out an administration.
On his Senate priorities and approach to Trump Administration:
[…] My focus is going to be on getting things done for the people of California and the country, and particularly on the economy. I know I’m going to have to face very early on, these tax cuts for rich people and for large corporations. What the voters in California elected me to do was to try to bring down the cost of living, the cost of housing, the cost of child care—not to give tax breaks to very wealthy people, corporations. So my focus is on the economy…
[…] We need to persuade the American people once again, that we are focused first and foremost on delivering for them, and that means helping them with their small businesses, helping them pay their rent or their mortgage. That’s going to be my first priority.
But you know, if the President is trying to take away the rights and freedoms of the American people or abusing his office, I’m certainly going to stand up and defend our country and our Constitution.
Watch the full video of the interview here.
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