On Tuesday, a CNN Newsroom segment strayed into territory that would make Chicken Little proud. Speaking to host Brooke Baldwin, former Obama State Department official Wendy Sherman proclaimed that “the future of our country...is at stake” when it comes to the need for investigations into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Sherman’s doomsday comments were teed up by live video from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who called for an independent investigation into Flynn and what he discussed with a Russian Ambassador during the presidential transition.
“Wendy Sherman so to you. Senator Schumer saying, you know, it must be an independent investigation of what’s happened here with Flynn. In your opinion, how should it play out,” Baldwin wondered.
Sherman initially seemed rational, agreeing with Schumer and stating how “it’s very significant that Senator Blunt — a Republican — Senator Cornyn — a number two in the Republican leadership of the Senate — have said there needs to be a serious investigation into this.”
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However, the rails came off as Sherman described the need to investigate Flynn as a breaking point on the future existence of the United States of America:
You know, our future, the future of our country, the integrity of our country, the trust of our country, and of our national security is at stake here. So, I'm very glad to hear Senator Schumer join with Republican leaders as well to ensure that there is a bipartisan investigation whether that is on the Hill, whether that is a special council, whether that is a select committee, whether that is a 9/11-type Commission, I will leave for the leaders to through.
She reiterated that Congress or the White House investigating Flynn won’t “be sufficient” before recycling the media’s characterization of Russian hacking as having something to do with the election’s outcome.
“[W]hat happened during the election with the Russian hacking of our democracy was really a fundamental assault on American democracy, that should be of concern to every American citizen and it is critical to find out what really went on,” she concluded.
Here’s the relevant portion of the transcript from CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin on February 14:
CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin
February 14, 2017
2:39 p.m. EasternBROOKE BALDWIN: Wendy Sherman so to you. Senator Schumer saying, you know, it must be an independent investigation of what’s happened here with Flynn. In your opinion, how should it play out?
WENDY SHERMAN: I absolutely think there should be a independent investigation. I think it’s very significant that Senator Blunt — a Republican — Senator Corny — a number in the Republican leadership of the Senate — have said there needs to be a serious investigation to this. This is becoming even more bipartisan every day. You know, our future, the future of our country, the integrity of our country, the trust of our country, and of our national security is at stake here. So, I'm very glad to hear Senator Schumer join with Republican leaders as well to ensure that there is a bipartisan investigation whether that is on the Hill, whether that is a special council, whether that is a select committee, whether that is a 9/11-type Commission, I will leave for the leaders to through. But although the intelligence committees are looking at this, it's not going to be sufficient and what happened during the election with the Russian hacking of our democracy was really a fundamental assault on American democracy, that should be of concern to every American citizen and it is critical to find out what really went on.
BALDWIN: You're absolutely right and I'm also just wondering does President Trump publicly address this? When and how for now?
