CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Interview with Stacey Plaskett
Interview
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BURNETT: All right. Donie, thank you very much. I appreciate your time.
So I want to get some reaction right away from Congresswoman Stacy Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was also an impeachment member for former President Trump's second trial.
And, Congresswoman, I just want to give you a chance to respond. You know, Donie was speaking to supporters that were there on January 6, and they're talking about whether they were going to come. So, they're hearing these conspiracy theories that maybe it's a false flag operation, they shouldn't go, but yet you should be scared.
When you hear them, and their belief and everything they say, you know, what's your reaction listening to that?
STACEY PLASKETT (D), VIRGIN ISLANDS DELEGATE: Well, you know, I would first say that let's put -- speak to the falsehood that only one person was killed on that day. We know that over 100 police officers were injured. Several police officers died fighting that insurrectionist crowd, those domestic terrorists that came to thwart the democratic process of our duly elected president of the United States. So let's put that to one bit of falsehood aside right there.
If individuals want to come to the Capitol, and want to protest, this is the kind of country. We have a democratic process that allows their peaceful demonstrations. If they come to the Capitol with the intent to do harm, to do Capitol building itself, to break the law, then they will have to face the consequences of that. In the same way that Ashli Babbitt and those other individuals face the consequences of their actions.
I agree that police officer who was protecting, not only the building of the Capitol and the floor of the House, but many members of Congress and staff acted in justifiable manner. And Ashli Babbitt, who was breaking the law, and attempting to climb over individuals to come onto the Capitol floor, was in the wrong.
So, we will, you know, I'm grateful Capitol police have met with a speaker, with the majority leader, and the speaker has invited both the minority leader of the Senate, as well as the minority leader of the House to be a part of this briefing to ensure that the Capitol is in fact safe.
BURNETT: So, let me ask you --
PLASKETT: So, also, that members of Congress will not be there on that Saturday to the best of my knowledge along with staff.
BURNETT: That's very significant. I realize.
The reporting that we have tonight, Congresswoman, is that law enforcement is not preparing for the possibility of armed protesters at this rally. Now again, you're hearing that there are some conspiracy theories or telling them not to come. No one knows exactly what to expect.
But the bigger picture question here, given the sentiment of what that couple said, given the fear of armed people coming, is do you fear that it is a matter of time before something else happens, whether it's this Saturday or another day?
PLASKETT: Well, we know throughout history and one of the things that we've seen in modern history is that successful coup is always preceded by an unsuccessful coup. And what we saw on January 6th was the unsuccessful coup, and those individuals who are attempting to try and overturn our democratic process will continue to do so.
I'm grateful that both the FBI, as well as national security intelligence officers, and our own Capitol Police as well Metropolitan and others are preparing at all times for the chatter that they are hearing online, and keeping vigilant as to ensure that our legislative process continues.
BURNETT: Congresswoman Plaskett, I appreciate your time as always. Thank you.
PLASKETT: Thank you. Take care.
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