Following the FBI search on former President Trump’s Florida home, Trump and other Republicans have turned to “extreme and aggressive” statements or allegations about government objectives that heighten the likelihood of political mayhem, according to Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.
Kaine mentioned Trump and allied conservatives have falsely claimed that FBI investigators planted evidence at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate during their search. Trump and Republicans have labeled the investigation a “invasion” and illegitimate, causing some to demand for the disbanding or “defunding” of the FBI, which is presently run by Trump-appointed Director Chris Wray.
“When you see Donald Trump suggesting that, it tells you he’s worried about something that they’ll find,” Kaine said on this week’s episode of The Takeout with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett. “He’s laying the groundwork for later claiming it wasn’t really his.”
The interview took place on August 10, one day before a Trump protester who was in Washington, D.C. during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021 tried to enter an FBI field office in Cincinnati, resulting in an armed standoff and the suspect’s murder in a firefight with officials.
In any investigation of Trump’s handling of confidential materials, Kaine said that Trump is “innocent unless proved guilty.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland has sought to disclose the search warrant and a written synopsis of the items taken by the FBI under the authority of the search warrant. Trump, who first revealed the raid, could have done so himself, according to Kaine.
“So far, he hasn’t done that.” Instead, he complains about the FBI investigating him,” Kaine remarked.
When asked about the large crowd of Trump supporters who gathered near Mar-a-Lago and complained about the lack of focus on President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, Kaine said the Justice Department is looking into Hunter Biden’s financial dealings.
“If you’re a powerful person or linked to a powerful person, you’re subject to the same laws as everyone else,” he said. “And Democrats don’t call it into question.” And it’s not only Republicans who are skeptical, but why Donald Trump and his supporters feel he should be above the law is very unsettling.”
In terms of politics, Kaine said that he would back Mr. Biden if he sought for re-election, but that the president’s intentions had caused “angst” among the party. He said that if Mr. Biden decides not to run for re-election, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the “front-runner,” but not the heir apparent.
But he said he doubted Hillary Clinton, his 2016 running partner, would run in 2024 if Mr. Biden did not.
“Right now, I don’t see that,” he remarked.
This week’s episode highlights include:
The economic consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act: “This law is not a magic wand that you can wave and the inflation rate would fall automatically.” However, there are aspects of this plan that will be very beneficial to people’s wallets. Here’s an example: The monthly cost of insulin for the millions of Medicare seniors who need it will be set at $35. People will save a lot of money as a result of this. If you have Medicare, your out-of-pocket payments for prescription medications will be limited to $2,000 per year.
That’s a significant savings for millions of consumers whose out-of-pocket expenses presently surpass that amount. And, within a few years, we’ll begin negotiating pricing for prescription pharmaceuticals via the Medicare program, which will also lower rates.
As a result, we also provide premium assistance to people who purchase health insurance through the exchanges. … More individuals enroll in health insurance when it is less costly. So, in several crucial sectors, such as electricity, prescription pharmaceuticals, and health insurance, we are lowering rates.
The fact that the bill is a deficit reducer will also have a significant long-term effect in helping us deal with inflation.”
IRA’s influence on renewable energy: “Because the United States had never actually done offshore wind, none of the components were built in the United States.” The first offshore wind component production will soon take place in Portsmouth, Virginia. We will reduce energy expenses, but we will also establish a new manufacturing business in Virginia and the United States that will employ a large number of people. And it makes me extremely happy.”
Assassinating al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri: “The al-Zawahiri strike falls within what Congress intended when it acted in September of 2001. But the difficulty is that the [9/11] authorisation is just too broad. So, right now, I’m working on three distinct projects. One is to remove the Iraq War authorizations, which might be put to a vote in September or October. Iraq is now a security partner of the US, not an adversary. The 9/11 authorizations should be repealed. Second, revise the 2001 authorization to limit it to terrorist organizations like as al Qaeda and not be so broad in scope, time and territory, and who we’re permitted to conduct military action against. The third thing I’m attempting to do is update the War Powers Act of 1974, because although it was well-intended, it had significant flaws that led no president and no Congress of either party to fully implement it.
The Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage: “I believe we’re getting close. As you know, every Democrat will vote to enact this government assurance that you may marry whoever you choose, thereby codifying the Obergefell ruling. Every Democrat will support it. And there are those Republicans who will as well.
Four or five Republicans have said that they will vote to do so. However, we need ten. Will we receive ten? Senator Schumer has said unequivocally that we will call this up. But he has a habit of timing things. I don’t want to bring it up too soon if there are votes on the table that we can still acquire. So, I know he’s working with a lot of senators to figure out the optimum moment. Even if we fall short, I believe it would be a really illuminating vote. So, my instinct is that we should have that vote even if we fall short, but not too soon if there are still votes on the table that we can persuade to do the right thing.”