DPCC Chair Cicilline: The President Has A Difficult Relationship With the Truth
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on New Day on CNN to discuss Congressional Democrats' oversight responsibilities and the BuzzFeed report alleging President Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie under oath to Congress about business dealings with Russia. Below are excerpts from the interview. Clickhere to watch the video
"Well, this is obviously a very very serious report. If true, I think, this is the most serious threat to the Trump Presidency that we have seen so far. That's saying something because we have seen a lot. But this is obstruction of justice. If the facts are true, this is suborning perjury. I think there's no question that this is an impeachable offense. And it is again just one more data point about what was the reason that they were trying too hard to keep this Russia meeting and this Russia relationship so secret. But this is very serious. What I think is important about the reporting it's not only the sworn testimony of Michael Cohen but apparently some documentary evidence to support it. If that's true, it's a very grave threat to the Trump Presidency."
"Yeah, I think this is different. I'm a member of the Judiciary Committee, as you said. Of course I think it is always best that we have all of the information and all of the evidence to make these determinations. Because you sort of have one opportunity to move forward in that kind of proceeding. So it's still my preference that we await the final report of Mr. Mueller. But it becomes difficult when faced with evidence such as this. I think the Judiciary Committee certainly has a responsibility to begin hearing to really understand precisely what happened. In fact, to determine whether or not the President of the United States committed a crime by suborning perjury. I think that's different. This is the first really direct evidence of a crime - or of an important crime. I know we heard testimony about the Stormy Daniels payments that Republicans tried to diminish as campaign violations despite the fact that they are felonies. We certainly saw evidence of obstruction of justice in the firing of Director Comey. They have also tried to offer explanations for that. There is really no explanation for suborning perjury. There is no innocent explanation for telling a witness to lie to the Congress of the United States. So I think this is different. But again, I think we will do our job in terms of conducting oversight hearings. But this is clearly the most serious threat this President has faced."
"I think that we have to wait for the reports to be confirmed before we can call on that. But I can tell you if the reports are confirmed and the evidence has been presented that the President of the United States directed Mr. Cohen to lie to Congress, I won't have to call on Mr. Nadler to do it."
"Well we don't have to wonder if it is an impeachable offense. As you said, it's been used before. The incoming Attorney General, the likely Attorney General, has acknowledged that as well. Again I think the sentiment on the Committee is we want to be in a position to have all of the facts and to have all the information. You have one opportunity to move forward on something so serious. I think it is important that we receive the report. On the other hand, this is a very, very serious development."
"We have all seen the conduct of the President and the explanations that were given about that Trump Tower meeting that was originally dictated from Air Force One that it was about adoption. It wasn't. We've heard the President make statements that he had no business dealings with the Russians."
"I have not. I have not seen the evidence that's referenced in that article. Obviously the Judiciary Committee now in the majority Democratic hands has the ability to bring witnesses and subpoena records to confirm that and other things. But I have not seen those documents and the corroboration which is why I say we have to be sure that these allegations are true - if true this is the most serious threat the President faced in my view."
"I think people have to look at it in a serious way. The notion that the President would direct someone to lie and not tell the truth is not inconsistent with the behavior of the President who has had a difficult relationship with the truth. No one read the story and thought, oh, this is impossible. People read that story and thought, it's consistent with everything that we have seen and learned about this investigation and more importantly about the conduct of this President."