In an op-ed published by The Washington Post on Wednesday, two-time failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton came out of hiding to spout off about the Special Counsel report and to encourage Democrats to continue going after President Trump with endless investigations. In a report about Trump’s “battle with oversight,” the CBS Evening News promoted Clinton’s words while painting Trump as in the wrong.
“Paula, also interesting to note today, Hillary Clinton, who was the target of much of the Russian interference in the 2016 election, weighed in on how Congress should respond to the Mueller Report. What does she have to say,” anchor Jeff Glor asked towards the end of the segment.
Speaking enthusiastically, White House correspondent Paula Reid shared Clinton’s words for congressional Democrats:
Clinton acknowledges she may not be the best messenger, but she encourages Congress not to just focus on an up or down vote on impeachment and instead hold public hearings to build on what Mueller uncovered. She says this is about national security, and if Congress doesn't do anything, that may embolden our adversaries to meddle again in 2020.
But Reid essentially downplayed Clinton’s attacks on the Trump administration. Despite the special counsel admitting they were unable to charge the President on obstruction of justice, Clinton called on Congress to investigate anyway. Even invoking Watergate as a parallel:
Watergate offers a better precedent. Then, as now, there was an investigation that found evidence of corruption and a coverup [sic]. It was complemented by public hearings conducted by a Senate select committee, which insisted that executive privilege could not be used to shield criminal conduct and compelled White House aides to testify.
As Reid began, she described the President’s unwillingness to subject himself to delusional Democrats as his “battle with oversight.”
“The administration is trying to block at least three top officials from cooperating with lawmakers,” Reid cited. She also gave a platform to Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to attack the President:
CUMMINGS: I think that what the President is doing is extremely dangerous.
REID: Chairman Cummings accused the President of trying to prevent Congress from doing its job.
CUMMINGS: It's impossible to make the President accountable if we cannot have access to information.
At least CBS allowed a soundbite of Trump calling out the Democrats’ motivations. “Look, these are not like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. They're not going to win with the people that I see, and they're not going to win against me,” he told the press pool.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Evening News
April 24, 2019
6:36:33 p.m. EasternJEFF GLOR: President Trump today vowed to fight Democrats in Congress all the way to the Supreme Court. Paula Reid has more.
[Cuts to video]
PAULA REID: Speaking at an opioid summit in Atlanta today, President Trump lamented his own battle with oversight.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I know all about the rigging of the system, because I had the system rigged on me. I think you know what I'm talking about.
REID: Before he left the White House, the President vowed to defy subpoenas issued by House Democrats.
TRUMP: We're fighting all the subpoenas. Look, these are not like impartial people. The Democrats are trying to win 2020. They're not going to win with the people that I see, and they're not going to win against me.
REID: The administration is trying to block at least three top officials from cooperating with lawmakers, including former White House counsel Don McGahn, who provided damaging testimony to Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
TRUMP: I have been the most transparent president and administration in the history of our country by far.
REID: The President has also sued House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings to keep his financial records a secret.
ELIJAH CUMMINGS: I think that what the President is doing is extremely dangerous.
REID: Chairman Cummings accused the President of trying to prevent Congress from doing its job.
CUMMINGS: It's impossible to make the President accountable if we cannot have access to information.
REID: The President says the White House should not have to cooperate with congressional investigations after it already did so with the special counsel, and if Democrats move to impeach him, the President says he'll head to the supreme court.
[Cuts back to live]
GLOR: Paula, also interesting to note today, Hillary Clinton, who was the target of much of the Russian interference in the 2016 election, weighed in on how Congress should respond to the Mueller Report. What does she have to say?
REID: Jeff, in an op-ed, Clinton acknowledges she may not be the best messenger, but she encourages Congress not to just focus on an up or down vote on impeachment and instead hold public hearings to build on what Mueller uncovered. She says this is about national security, and if Congress doesn't do anything, that may embolden our adversaries to meddle again in 2020.
GLOR: Paula Reid with the latest for us from the White House tonight. Paula, thanks.
