Over the weekend, President Trump fained ignorance of the Constitution and due process, telling Kristen Welker “I don’t know” when asked if he needed to uphold the Constitution as president during a ‘Meet the Press’ interview. For more than three months now, Donald Trump has been abusing his power and working to benefit himself and his wealthy friends at the expense of the American people, Democrats across the country are pushing back on his dangerous, authoritarian rhetoric, calling out the threat he poses to our democracy.
SENATE
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “President Trump has just admitted that he ‘doesn’t know’ whether he needs to uphold the Constitution. This is as un-American as it gets.”
- The Hill: Schumer Blasts Trump’s Response On Upholding The Constitution
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT): “Trump may not know whether he has to uphold the Constitution during his presidency, but hundreds of Vermont lawyers do know. I congratulate them, and thousands of lawyers throughout the country, who are fighting to uphold American democracy and the rule of law.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): “President Trump has said that he “doesn’t know” whether he needs to uphold the Constitution. It’s right there in the oath of office he’s taken twice.”
Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA): “Even if Donald Trump’s openness to defying the Constitution and denying due process doesn’t surprise you, his ignorance of his oath of office should shock all of us.”
Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ): “Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 Presidential Oath of Office. I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA): “No, you’re not a lawyer. You are President of the United States. And you shouldn’t need to phone a friend to answer whether you will defend our Constitution.”
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “Trump swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Now he’s not sure if due process applies to people on American soil. Not a lawyer, he says. Just the guy with the nuclear codes.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD): “‘I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.’”
IN THE STATES
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY): “It tells you all you need to know about this presidency and this man that he doesn’t give a damn about the US Constitution, and that is frightening in itself.”