>> WE MUST MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OR WE
WILL CEASE TO HAVE A COUNTRY.
WE WILL CEASE TO HAVE A COUNTRY.
I AM THE LAW AND ORDER...
>> S STOP THE STEAL!
THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG GREAT SCAM LIE.
>> Announcer: IT'S "A LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT."
TONIGHT: STEPHEN WELCOMES
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER.
FEATURING JON BATISTE AND STAY HOMIN'.
AND NOW, LIVE FROM THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER OFFICE
BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY, IT'S STEPHEN COLBERT!
>> Stephen: HEY, EVERYBODY.
WELCOME TO AN UNEXPECTEDLY LIVE "LATE SHOW"."
I'M YOUR HOST, STEPHEN COLBERT.
YOU KNOW HOW YOU KNOW IT'S LIVE?
IF IT WASN'T LIVE, THEY WOULD HAVE EDITED OUT ALL THIS DEAD
SPACE I'LL G GIVING YOU RIGHT NO I REALLY WANT TO DO THE SHOW
WE'RE ABOUT TO DO AND I ALSO DON'T WANT TO DO THE SHOW WE'RE
ABOUT TO DO BECAUSE LORD HAVE MERCY.
THERE ARE SOME DARK SUBJECTS THAT WE TALK LBOUT ON THE SHOW
OCCASIONALLY, BUT I'VE REALLY BEEN AS UPSET AS I AM TONIGHT.
AND I'M SURE YOU ARE, TOO.
HEY, REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORTED THIS PRESIDENT, ESPECIALLY THE
ONES IN THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS TODAY, HAVE YOU HAD
ENOUGH?
AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CODDLING THIS PRESIDENT'S FASCIST
RHETORIC, GUESS WHOSE FOLLOWERS WANT TO BURN DOWN THE REICHSTAG.
BECAUSE TODAY, THE U.S. CAPITOL WAS OVERRUN FOR THE FIRST TIME
SINCE 1814, AND A WOMAN DIED.
WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING?
EVERYONE?
EVEN DUMMIES LIKE ME.
THIS IS THE MOST SHOCKING, MOST TRAGIC, LEAST-SURPRISING THING
I'VE EVER SEEN.
FOR YEARS NOW, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU COWARDS THAT IF YOU
LET THE PRESIDENT LIE ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY OVER AND OVER AND THEN
JOIN HIM IN THAT LIE AND SAY HE'S RIGHT WHEN YOU KNOW FOR A
FACT THAT HE IS NOT, THERE WILL BE A TERRIBLE PRICE TO PAY.
BUT YOU JUST NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D HAVE TO PAY IT, TOO.
I REALLY DO HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING THOSE TAX CUTS.
AND THOSE JUDGES, BECAUSE THOSE JUDGES ARE REALLY GOING TO BE
WORKING HARD.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE BUSY THROWING THESE IDIOTS IN JAIL.
AND BY "IDIOTS" I INCLUDE THE REPUBLICANS WHO LET THIS HAPPEN,
LIKE YOU SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY, RAISING YOUR STUPID FIST TO THE
MOB OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL.
LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S LIKE BLACK POWER BUT THE OPPOSITE.
THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A NAME FOR THAT.
AND, OBVIOUSLY, HE HAS TO KEEP HIS FIST CLOSED, BECAUSE IF HE
OPENED IT, YOU WOULD SEE ALL THE BLOOD ON HIS HANDS.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, HOW ABOUT YOU, FOX NEWS?
YOU THINK MAYBE YEARS OF PEDALING HIS CONSPIRACY THEORIES
HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS?
OH, BUT COME ON, MAN.
YOU KNOW WE HAVE OUR OPINION SIDE AND OUR NEWS SIDE.
COME ON, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO TURN A COIN FOR UNCLE RUPEE,
SELL A FEW LUBRICATED CATHETERS.
LIKE THOSE LUBRICATED CATH TERS YOU KNOW WHERE YOU CAN STICK
YOUR EXCUSES AND YOU CAN SKIP THE LUBRICATION.
IT'S THE THOUSANDS OF MAGA PROTESTERS WHO STORMED THE
CAPITOL BUILDING.
IT'S A HORRIFYING DAY THAT WILL GO DOWN IN U.S. HISTORY, HOWEVER
MUCH LONGER THAT IS.
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO DESCRIBE THIS...
>> LAW AND ORDER.
>> Stephen: NOPE, THAT'S NOT IT.
>> AMERICAN CARNAGE.
>> Stephen: THAT'S THE ONE.
JOHNNY, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WON.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> A SECOND CIVIL WAR!
AND A BROYHILL DINETTE SET.
YOU'LL BE EATING IN STYLE IN THE SMOLDERING AFTER-SCAPE.
BACK TO YOU, STEVE!
>> Stephen: YOU SEE, TODAY WAS THE CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED
FINAL STEP BEFORE A NEW PRESIDENT CAN GET INAUGURATED.
A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS TO BASICALLY RUBBER STAMP THE
ELECTORAL VOTES.
EXCEPT THIS TIME, OVER 100 G.O.P. HOUSE MEMBERS AND AT
LEAST 13 G.O.P. SENATORS DECIDED TO REJECT SOME STATES' ELECTION
RESULTS OVER ALLEGED VOTER IRREGULARITIES.
THOSE SAME SUPPOSED VOTER IRREGULARITIES THAT RUDY
GIULIANI FAILED TO PROVE TO A SINGLE JUDGE, NO MATTER HOW
PASSIONATELY HE FARTED.
WELL, THIS MORNING, AT A MAGA RALLY RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WHITE
HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT INCITED THE MOB TO MARCH ON THE CAPITOL
BUILDING.
>> WE'RE GOING TO THE CAPITOL, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GIVE
THE DEMOCRATS ARE HOPELESS.
THEY'RE NEVER VOTING FOR ANYTHING, NOT EVEN ONE VOTE.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GIVE OUR REPUBLICANS, THE WEAK ONES,
BECAUSE THE STRONG ONES DON'T NEED ANY OF OUR HELP.
WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND GIVE THEM THE KIND OF PRIDE AND BOLDNESS
THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY.
SO LET'S WALK DOWN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN, AND I'LL BE THERE WITH YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN...
WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN ANYONE YOU WANT, BUT I THINK RIGHT
HERE, WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN TO THE CAPITOL.
>> Stephen: FOR THE RECORD, IF I SAID THAT, I WOULD BE ARRESTED
FOR INCITING A RIOT.
BUT OF COURSE YOU CAN'T ARREST THE PRESIDENT FOR 15 MORE DAYS.
AND HIS FOLLOWERS DID WHAT HE TOLD THEM TO DO: BEHAVE IN A WAY
THAT'S-- WHAT'S THE WORD?
DEPLORABLE.
THEY MARCHED DOWN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND STORMED THE
BARRICADES.
LOOK AT THAT.
YOU STILL THINK WALLS WORK?
FRIGHTENED HILL STAFFERS WERE TOLD TO EVACUATE THE MADISON
BUILDING, AS WELL AS THE CANON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WITH
CAPITOL POLICE GOING DOOR BY DOOR, RUNNING DOWN THE HALLWAYS.
THAT'S A VERY UPSETTING PAUL REVERE REMIX.
"THE RED HATS ARE COMING!
THE RED HATS ARE COMING!" ( SIGHS )
STAFFERS WERE TOLD TO GO TO UNDERGROUND TUNNELS AND TAKE
ESCAPE HOODS TO PROTECT THEM FROM INHAILING ANYTHING
DANGEROUS.
WELL, THAT'S A BIT OF A SURPRISE.
FROM THE LOOK OF THOSE RIOTERS, I WOULD HAVE GUESSED THEY WERE
THE ONES WEARING HOODZ.
AFTER THE MOB SWARMED INSIDE THE BUILDING, CAPITOL POLICE
RELEASED TEAR GAS INTO THE ROTUNDA.
LITTLE LATE, FELLAS.
THAT'S LIKE CLOSING THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE COW HAS TRIED TO
VIOLENTLY OVERTHROW THE FARM.
A MOO-DE' TA, IF YOU WILL.
AND I HOPE YOU WON'T.
THEN THESE IDIOTS BROKE INTO THE SENATE CHAMBER, INCLUDING THIS
GUY, WHO STOOD AT THE PODIUM.
REMEMBER THIS MORNING THE NEWS WAS ALL SAYING DEMOCRATS NOW
CONTROL THE SENATE?
I'M GOING TO SAY THAT REPORT WAS A LITTLE PREMATURE.
"THE LATE SHOW"" IS READY TO PROJECT SENATE CONTROL HAS
PASSED TO MAJORITY LEADER SHIRTLESS FREAK IN A VIKING HAT.
NOW, AGAIN, CONGRESS WAS IN A JOINT SESSION TO RECEIVE THE
ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES, CONFIRMING THAT JOSEPH R. BIDEN
WOULD BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES.
BUT ALL OF THIS REPUBLICAN-GENERATED CHAOS LED
TO AN EVACUATION OF THE CHAMBERS.
AND LEGISLATORS WERE HUSTLED TO SECURE LOCATIONS TO SHELTER IN
PLACE.
A QUESTION FOR THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO HELPED FOMENT THIS
INSURRECTION: WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY?
I MEAN, THESE ARE YOUR PEEPS.
THEY LOVE YOU.
WHY DIDN'T YOU HANG OUT WITH YOUR BUDDIES, MARSHA BLACKBURN,
KELLY LOEFFLER, RON JOHNSON, JOHN "NOT THAT KENNEDY" KENNEDY.
YOU CAN RUN ALL YOU WANT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES BUT YOU CAN
NEVER ESCAPE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT YOU BROUGHT UPON
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY TODAY.
AND THIS WAS NEVER SOME SORT OF PEACEFUL PROTEST.
THIS WAS CHARLOTTESVILLE COME HOME TO ROOST ON CAPITOL HILL.
LOOK AT THESE THUGS.
A GUY IN A QANON T-SHIRT CHASING A CAPITOL SECURITY OFFICER UP
FLIGHT AFTER FLIGHT OF STAIRS.
NOTHING TO SEE HERE, FOLKS.
JUST A CROWD OF ANGRY WHITE PEOPLE CHASING A BLACK MAN.
REMUND ME: ARE WE GREAT AGAIN YET?
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FINALLY RESPONDED WITH A STRONG SHOW OF
FORCE-- I'M SORRY, NO, JIM, THAT'S FEDERAL POLICE TEAR
GASSING PEACEFUL PROTESTERS SO THAT THE PRESIDENT COULD DO A
PHOTO OP.
JIM, DO WE HAVE THE ACTUAL RESPONSE, A PHOTO?
THERE YOU GO.
NOPE, I'M SORRY.
NO, THAT'S DURING THE B.L.M.
PROTESTS WHERE TROOPS WERE GUARDING A STATUE OF LINCOLN
FROM BLACK PEOPLE.
NOW, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING WHAT KIND OF AMERICANS WOULD TRY
TO VIOLENTLY OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT, YOU GUESS IT.
IT'S THIS KIND.
IS IT JUST ME OR DOES THAT THING ALWAYS SEEM TO SHOW UP AT ONLY
THE WORST EVENTS.
YOU NEVER READ, "THE CONFEDERATE FLAG WAS SEEN TODAY WAVING OVER
FREE YOGA IN THE PARK.
ONE OF THESE DOMESTIC TERRORISTS EVEN BROKE INTO SPEAKER PELOSI'S
OFFICE AND PUT HIS FEET UP ON HER DESK.
ANOTHER ONE TOOK TO THE SENATE DAIS AND REPORTEDLY IDEAL,
"TRUMP WON THAT ELECTION!" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT
THE FRONT-RUNNERS FOR THE 2024 REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.
OVER AT THE HOUSE CHAMBER, THERE WAS AN ARMED STANDOFF BETWEEN
POLICE AND RIOTERS AT THE CHAMBER DOOR.
WELL, THANK GOODNESS IT WAS JUST A WHITE PERSON WITH A GUN OUT
THERE.
IF IT WERE A BLACK GUY WITH A CAN OF ICED TEA, IT MIGHT HAVE
ESCALATED.
NOW, AN HOUR AND A HALF AFTER THE CAPITOL HAD BEEN STORMED,
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DU FUS FINALLY WEIGHED IN TWEETING, "I
AM ASKING FOR EVERYONE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL TO REMAIN
PEACEFUL."
NOTE THE WORD "REMAIN."
HE DIDN'T SAY LEAVE.
HE SAID STAY THERE AND REMAIN PEACEFUL.
PEACEFUL LIKE THIS?
I AM CALLING FOR ALL OF THE TOOTHPASTE TO QUIETLY RETURN TO
THE TUBE PEACEFULLY.
WHILE HE WHO STARTED THIS COULD NOT BRING HIMSELF TO STOP IT, WE
HEARD A VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT WHO
ISSUED A CHALLENGE TO THE TRAITOR IN CHIEF.
>> I CALL ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO GO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION NOW TO
FULFILL HIS OATH AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND DEMAND AN END
TO THIS SIEGE.
>> Stephen: THAT'S AN INTERESTING PLOI-- LURING THE
PRESIDENT OUT OF HIDING WITH THE PROMISE OF NATIONAL TV IS LIKE
PUTTING A LITTLE PIECE OF CHEESE IN A TRAP FOR A RAT.
ALTHOUGH, YOU COULD PROBABLY CATCH THE PRESIDENT WITH CHEESE,
TOO.
JUST A FEW MOMENTS AFTER BIDEN STEPPED OFFSTAGE, THE
VIOLENCE-STOKER IN THE WHITE HOUSE DID RELEASE A VIDEO WHERE
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO CALM THINGS DOWN BUT INSTEAD, HE...
REITERATED HIS FALSE CLAIM THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM HIM
SEVERAL TIMES, AND ENDED BY SAYING THIS TO THE THE RIOTERS:
>> SO GO HOME.
WE LOVE YOU.
YOU'RE VERY SPECIAL.
>> Stephen: BOY, THAT IS A REALLY WEIRD THING TO SAY TO
RIOTERS.
AND I'M GUESSING TOUGH FOR ERIC TO HEAR.
"DAD!
I'M SORRY I DIDN'T RIOT!
LOVE ME, TOO!
I'M SPECIAL."
HOT TIP FOR THE RIOTERS BY THE WAY: I KNOW YOU GUYS DON'T LIKE
TO BE TOLD TO WEAR MASKS, BUT THOSE MASKS REALLY WOULD HAVE
COME IN HANDY WHEN YOU'RE GETTING YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WHILE
YOU'RE BREAKING THE LAW.
AND YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU WERE DOING ALL OF THIS SUPPOSEDLY TO
HELP?
WELL, THOSE FOLKS ARE OUT OF POWER NOW.
THEY CAN'T PROTECT YOU.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY HID IN THE BASEMENT FROM YOU, AND THEY
WILL TURN ON YOU IN A SECOND BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN NOTHING
BUT THEMSELVES.
SPEAKING OF BELIEVING IN NOTHING, A REMINDER THAT THE
PRESIDENT SAID THIS TO YOU: >> WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN--
AND I'LL BE THERE WITH YOU-- WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN...
( CHEERING ) WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN ANYONE
YOU WANT, BUT I THINK RIGHT HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO WALK DOWN TO THE CAPITOL.
>> Stephen: HE KEPT SAYING, "WE," BUT HE DIDN'T GO WITH YOU.
HE DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOU.
HE WENT HOME TO WATCH IT ON TV.
YOU'RE JUST ENTERTAINMENT FOR HIM.
AND, OF COURSE, A STEADY STREAM OF MERCHANDISE SALES.
ANYWAY...
THIS ISN'T HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS.
WE DON'T DECIDE ELECTIONS ON WHO'S MOST UPSET.
WE DECIDE THEM BY WHO GETS THE MOST VOTES, PORTIONED BY STATE
THROUGH A WEIRD ELECTORAL COLLEGE THAT WAS INSTITUTED TO
MAINTAIN THE POLITICAL POWER OF SLAVE STATES.
IT'S A LONG STORY.
BUT THE POINT IS, THE PERSON WHO SCREAMS THE LOUDEST DOESN'T GET
THEIR WAY.
THAT ONLY WORKS ON FAMILY ROAD TRIPS AND YOU END UP HAVING
AND, SADLY, WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED BY ANY OF THIS.
THESE PEOPLE WHO STORMED THE CAPITOL TODAY HAVE EAGERLY
SWALLOWED DIVISIVE BULLCRAP AT THE PRESIDENT'S RALLIES FOR FIVE
YEARS.
THEY NOW LIVE IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE THAT IS NOW COLLAPSING
IN ON ITSELF.
IT'S-- IT'S LIKE A BLACK HOLE OF WHITENESS.
NOW, I'VE SAID BEFORE, VIOLENCE IS THE LAST REFUGE OF THE
INCOMPETENT.
AND IF THE LAST FOUR YEARS HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S THAT
THERE ARE A LOT OF INCOMPETENT FOLKS IN OUR LEADERSHIP.
BUT I WOULD INVITE ALL OF THESE DISGRUNTLED AMERICANS TO TAKE A
PAGE OUT OF STACEY ABRAMS' BOOK.
DON'T ENDANGER OUR COUNTRY'S GREATEST LEGACY, THE PEACEFUL
TRANSFER OF POWER JUST BECAUSE YOUR GUY LOST.
GET OUT THERE AND FOCUS ON WINNING THE NEXT ROUND.
COME ON, REPUBLICANS.
DON'T GO UP TO CAPITOL HILL FOR A GOVERNMENT HANDOUT.
PULL YOURSELVES UP BY YOUR OWN BOOTSTRAPS AND JUST WORK A
LITTLE HARDER.
AND IN 2022, WHEN ALL OF THOSE REPUBLICANS WHO-- MAKE NO
MISTAKE-- ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED TODAY AND ARE
RUNNING FOR REELECTION, LET'S REMEMBER THEM FOR WHO THEY
SHOWED THEMSELVES TO BE TODAY-- CYNICAL COWARDS WHO BELIEVE THE
VOTERS SHOULD NOT GET TO CHOOSE WHO GOVERNS THIS COUNTRY.
LET'S HOPE THE VOTERS PROVE THEM ALL WRONG.
WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
I'LL BE TALKING TO SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR AND REPUBLICAN
CONGRESSMAN ADAM KINZINGER.
STICK AROUND.
♪ ♪ ♪
>> Stephen: WELCOME BACK TO
ADD LIVE "LATE SHOW,"" EVERYBODY.
JOINING ME NOW IS THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF
MINNESOTA AND A FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HERSELF,
PLEASE WELCOME SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR.
SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE ON SUCH A TROUBLING DAY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME.
I HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE FINE.
IS EVERYONE OKAY?
>> THEY'RE FINE.
I'M JUST MOSTLY WORRIED ABOUT OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT THEY SAW
TODAY, AND THAT'S WHAT WAS I THINK ON EVERYONE'S MIND.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT AFTER THIS ANGRY MOB
INVADED THE CAPITOL-- BY THE WAY, I'M SITTING IN THE
PRESIDENT'S ROOM.
WHERE IN THE PAST PRESIDENTS WOULD HAVE CORDIAL MEETINGS WITH
LEADERS OF CONGRESS, WHERE A NEW PRESIDENT WOULD SIGN THE
DOCUMENTS WHEN HE GOT SWORN IN.
AND TO THINK THAT THIS PRESIDENT INCITED THIS MOB TO COME IN THIS
BUILDING.
AND I'M LITERALLY SITTING A FEW YARDS AWAY FROM WHERE THEY
STORMED INTO THE CAPITOL.
AND THE IMPORTANT THING FOR US TONIGHT, FOR BOTH ACTUALLY
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS, WAS THAT WE RETURNED TO
OUR DESKS, AND WE GET THE JOB DONE.
AND WE JUST VOTED, JUST VOTED 93 VOTES AGAINST THE OBJECTIONS TO
THE CERTIFIED STATE ELECTION IN ARIZONA, WHICH IS WHAT
INSTIGATED ALL OF THIS, WITH 93 SENATORS DECLARING JOE BIDEN WON
THAT ELECTION.
>> Stephen: I-- I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT MOMENT WAS THE LAST
TIME I SAW YOU ON CAMERA BEFORE ANY OF THIS HAPPENED WAS YOU
READING THE...
COMPLAINT ABOUT THE ARIZONA ELECTION.
AND THEN THE CHAMBERS WENT TO THEIR SEPARATE HOUSES, THE
SENATE AND THE HOUSE.
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE ACTUAL BREACHING OF THE CAPITOL
HAPPENED?
AND CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH HOW YOU KNEW THAT YOU WERE SUPPOSED
TO LEAVE?
HOW WERE ALL OF YOU INFORMED WHAT WAS GOING ON?
>> SO I'M THE HIGHEST RANKING DEMOCRAT ON THE RULES COMMITTEE,
SO I HAD ACTUALLY JUST SPOKEN AND MADE MY CASE AGAINST SENATOR
CRUZ, TAKING HIM ON.
HE HAD SPOKEN, ONE OR TWO MORE SENATORS SPOKE.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF SENATOR LANGFORD'S
TEACH THEY SAID THE CAPITOL HAD BEEN BREACHED AND WE NEEDED TO
STAY IN PLACE.
SO WE WAITED IN THE SENATE CHAMBER FOR A WHILE.
PEOPLE WERE MILLING AROUND.
PEOPLE WERE FOLLOWING THE NEWS.
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, BELIEVING WE WERE SAFE IN THE
SENATE CHAMBER, ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ANNOUNCED THAT WE WEREN'T,
AND WE WERE QUICKLY TAKEN TO ANOTHER ROOM IN THE OFFICE
COMPLEX WHERE WE ACTUALLY SAT TOGETHER FOR THE ENTIRE DAY,
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND OUR STAFF, AS WE AWAITED THE
CLEARING OF THE SENATE CHAMBER.
AND THERE WAS A LOT OF, I WILL TELL YOU, MAJOR DISCUSSIONS
BETWEEN PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND WHAT THIS
PRESIDENT HAS DONE.
>> Stephen: WERE YOU WATCHING THIS UNFOLD ON TV?
WERE YOU SEEING THE PEOPLE GOING INTO YOUR CHAMBER, SEEING THE
PEOPLE-- SOMEONE STANDING UP THERE ACTUALLY AT THE PRESIDENT
OF THE SENATE'S SEAT, PEOPLE WITH THEIR FEET UP ON NANCY
PELOSI'S DESK?
WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AND YOUR HEART AS YOU SAW THIS--
THIS MOB RUNNING RAMPANT?
>> I ACTUALLY ASKED THAT WE TURN THE TVs ON IN THE ROOM THAT WE
WERE IN, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO REALIZE
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE
ALONG WITH THIS PRESIDENT.
AND WHAT YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SEE THAT IS YOU THINK HE HAS INCITED
THIS.
THIS ISN'T JUST SOME TWEET HE SENDS OUT IN THE MORNING FOR FUN
THAT'S A JOKE "OH, YOU DON'T BELIEVE HIM," THAT SOME PEOPLE
SAY.
HE IS LITERALLY TELLING HIS PEOPLE TO MARCH DOWN THE MALL,
TO GO TO THE CAPITOL, AND HE URGED THEM ON.
>> Stephen: TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE
SENATORS AND THE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN OFFICES.
WHAT WERE YOU SAYING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THAT MOMENT?
>> WELL, I THINK ALL OF US CHERISH THIS DEMOCRACY, AND
THERE WERE A LOT OF HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT "ARE YOU
GOING TO CONTINUE THIS QUEST TO OBJECT TO THE DULY ELECTED
ELECTORS THAT CAME OUT OF STATE-CERTIFIED ELECTIONS, WHERE
OVER 80 JUDGES HAVE LITERALLY SAID, 'NO, THESE CLAIMS ARE
BASELESS.
THEY'RE RECKLESS.
THEY'RE NOT BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION' SO WHY ARE YOU
FOLLOWING ALONG?" IT'S MY HOPE A NUMBER OF THOSE
SENATORS ACTUALLY CHANGED THEIR VOTE.
AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THEY FELT VIOLATED.
OUR DEMOCRACY WAS VIOLATED.
THOSE PEOPLE WERE SITTING IN OUR CHAIRS, WHEN THEY WERE STANDING
AT THE DAIS OF THE U.S. SENATE WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE
CONDUCTING THE NATION'S BUSINESS.
BUT A NUMBER OF THEM CHANGED THEIR VOTE.
SO THOSE WERE THE KINDS OF DISCUSSIONS WE WERE HAVING.
>> Stephen: DOES IT UPSET YOU AT ALL THAT THEY DIDN'T CHANGE
THEIR VOTES UNTIL THE CHICKENS CAME HOME TO ROOST IN THEIR OWN
HOME, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE STIRRING UP TROUBLE
EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY BY PROMULGATING THIS LIE?
>> OF COURSE IT DOES.
BUT I FIGURED MY JOB TODAY WAS TO TRY TO BRING AS MANY PEOPLE
WITH ME AND WITH OUR SIDE AS WE COULD AND TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT
WOULD GIVE THEM THAT SPACE.
AND THE REASON I DID IT IS BECAUSE-- I MADE THIS CASE TO
OUR CAUCUS-- I WANT JOE AND KAMALA TO COME IN WITH
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
I WANT TO LEAVE WHAT JOE BIDEN CALLED THE GRIM ERA OF
DEMONIZATION BEHIND US AND ACTUALLY GET THINGS DONE.
WE HAVE MOUNTING BODY BAGS IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH EMPTY CHAIRS AT THE TABLE.
WE'VE GOT KIDS THAT AREN'T GOING TO SCHOOL.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN A VACCINE BECAUSE THIS
PRESIDENT HAS FAILED TO DISTRIBUTE IT.
AND SO THIS IDEA THAT WE WOULD BE WASTING OUR TIME AND THEN TO
ADD TO ALL THAT, WE HAVE A PRESIDENT INCITING A MOB IS
AGAINST NOT JUST THE RULE OF LAW AND OUR DEMOCRACY BUT IT'S
AGAINST WHAT EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS RIGHT NOW IN OUR COUNTRY.
SO MY VIEW WAS THE MORE WE CAN BRING ON RIGHT NOW, AS MAD AS I
AM AT THEM-- AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISTAKE THIS THAT I
FORGIVE THEM-- I THINK THAT WHAT THEY DID WAS ATROCIOUS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AS A NATION.
>> Stephen: I-- I AGREE.
WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AS A NATION.
BUT...
I SAW YOU, ALL THE SENATORS GO BACK INTO THE CHAMBER.
>> AND SAW THE DEBATE.
AND WHILE THERE WAS SOME PASSION TO THAT DEBATE, IT LOOKED
ALARMINGLY NORMAL TO ME.
AND I-- I KNOW YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE ANGRY.
I KNOW YOU'RE FROM MINNESOTA, SO IT'S HARD TO TELL WHEN PEOPLE
ARE ANGRY FROM THERE, BUT AMERICA IS ANGRY.
AMERICA IS DEEPLY SHAKEN AND DISTURBED BY WHAT THEY JUST SAW
HOW, AS THE PARTY THAT IS NOW IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND THE
SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE, SHOULDN'T THERE BE CONSEQUENCES,
NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE-- >> OF COURSE!
>> Stephen: THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN AND DID THIS, THEIR
FACES ARE ON CAMERA AND THEIR CRIMES ARE DOCUMENTED.
I MEAN THE PEOPLE WHO PROMULGATED THE LIE, SHOULD
THERE NOT BE CONSEQUENCES SO SEVERE THAT NO ONE WILL EVER
THINK TO TO MEMENT AN INSURRECTION AGAINST THIS
GOVERNMENT AGAIN WITHOUT SHUDDERING ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.
>> OF COURSE WE SHOULD.
I'M A FORMER PROSECUTOR.
THIS IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY, STEPHEN.
EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
EVERYONE OF THEM SHOULD GO TO JAIL.
THEY LITERALLY INVADED THE CAPITOL --
>> Stephen: BUT I HOPE YOU'RE INCLUDING-- I HOPE YOU'RE
INCLUDING JOSH HAWLEY.
YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE TED CRUZ.
YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE...
MARSHA BLACKBURN.
BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY KNOW BETTER.
THAT CROWD IS IGNORANT.
THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT SENATE CHAMBER ARE ACTUALLY THE SINNERS
HERE.
>> AND LET'S START WITH THE ORIGINAL SINNER AND THE ONE THAT
REALLY INCITED THIS MOB WHICH IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
BECAUSE THIS IS SOMEONE THAT JUST LOST HIS ELECTION AND
REFUSES TO BELIEVE IT.
AND HE HAS DEMONIZED EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS BEEN
WILLING TO STAND IN HIS WAY OR STAND UP AGAINST HIM.
SO THERE ARE SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHAT SHOULD
HAPPEN TO THIS PRESIDENT, EVEN THOUGH HE WILL LEAVE OFFICE ON
JANUARY 20.
>> Stephen: SHOULD HE BE ALLOWED TO SERVE OUT THE REST OF
HIS TERM, LAST 14 DAYS?
SHOULD THE 25th AMENDMENT BE INVOKED?
SHOULD HE BE IMPEACHED SO HE CAN NEVER RUN AGAIN.
>> HE'S THE PROBLEM, NOT ONLY DID HE INCITE IT.
HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT.
HE COULD HAVE STOP IT, AND HE DIDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THESE
PEOPLE WERE LISTENING TO HIM.
THERE WERE INTERVIEWS ALL DAY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING
THAT TO THE MEDIA.
I WOULD CALL THAT EXHIBIT "A."
SO, FIRST OF ALL, TO USE THE 25th AMENDMENT YOU HAVE TO
GET THE MAJORITY OF THE CABINET AND THE VICE PRESIDENT.
LET'S SEE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO STAND UP TO HIM.
IMPEACHMENT, I'VE ALREADY VOTED FOR IMPEACHMENT.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED.
THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE TO DO LITERALLY IN
THE NEXT WEEK, AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE OUR NEW SENATORS SEATED
YET.
BUT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS
WELL.
BUT THE POINT OF THIS IS THAT TODAY, BASED ON THAT VOTE, WE
HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AGAINST WHAT THIS PRESIDENT IS DOING.
SO THAT WILL BE HELPFUL, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.
>> Stephen: WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, SENATOR.
I KNOW THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY TRYING DAY FOR YOU.
THANK YOU FOR...
>> MORTIFYING STEPHEN.
IT'S TRYING FOR AMERICA.
IT'S NOT TRYING FOR ME.
>> Stephen: I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT I-- I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE OTHER SENATORS WHO ATTEMPTED TO
DO THE RIGHT THING TODAY.
AND IN THE FACE OF THIS RESISTANCE.
AND-- >> IT'S FOR AMERICA--
>> IT WAS A COUP, STEPHEN.
IT WAS A COUP.
I KEPT CALLING IT A COUP WHEN THEY BROUGHT IT UP, BUT RIGHT
NOW, THAT'S WHAT YOU SAW THAT THAT PRESIDENT TRIED TO INCITE.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING-- HE FAILED.
>> Stephen: DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE?" >> WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT.
ON JANUARY 20, JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS ARE GOING TO BE
INAUGURATED.
THIS ERA WILL BE BEHIND US, BUT FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT DESECRATED
THIS CAPITOL AND CREATED THESE ACTS OF VIOLENCE, THEY WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
AND THIS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD START RIGHT NOW AND DO IT
NOW.
BUT IT WILL CONTINUE ON INTO JOE BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION.
HE HAS MADE THAT VERY CLEAR.
THIS CANNOT BE TOLERATED.
>> Stephen: MINNESOTA SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU, SENATOR.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KINZINGER.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> Stephen: WELCOME BACK,
MY NEXT GUEST TONIGHT WAS ALSO IN THE CAPITOL WHEN IT WAS
OVERRUN BY VIOLENT EXTREMISTS.
WE TAPED THIS INTERVIEW RIGHT BEFORE CONGRESS RESUMED THEIR
DEBATE THIS EVENING.
HERE IS MY CONVERSATION WITH REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN OF
ILLINOIS, ADAM KINZINGER.
CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE ON THIS EXTRAORDINARY AND
EXTRAORDINARILY TERRIBLE DAY.
I'M SO SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TODAY ON THE CAPITOL FOR OUR
COUNTRY, BUT ALSO FOR YOU AND YOUR STAFF.
IS EVERYBODY OKAY?
>> YEAH, EVERYBODY'S GOOD.
I ACTUALLY-- I'VE BEEN ANTICIPATING THIS FOR A WHILE,
AND SO I DIDN'T HAVE STAFF COME IN TODAY.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT.
BUT WE'RE KIND OF UNDER SIEGE HERE, IT FEELS LIKE, A LITTLE
BIT.
>> Stephen: THAT IS INTERESTING THAT YOU PERCEIVED
THIS THREAT AHEAD OF TIME BASED UPON KNOWING THAT THERE WAS
GOING TO BE THIS RALLY DOWN THE STREET AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
IS THAT-- IS THAT WHAT PUT YOU ON GUARD?
>> YEAH, IT IS.
YOU KNOW, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HEAR, YOU KNOW, THE WORDS OF THE
PRESIDENT TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY STORMING D.C. AND
DIFFERENT WORDS PRIOR TO THIS, CONVINCING PEOPLE THAT AN
ELECTION WAS STOLEN.
IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE THAT AN ELECTION WAS STOLEN AND THE
GOVERNMENT'S RUN BY, YOU KNOW, AS QANON BELIEVES SAINT ANIST
PED FILES YOU CAN EXPECT SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN
AND YOU CAN SEE THE CHATTER ON TWITTER WITH PEOPLE TALKING
ABOUT 1776 MOMENTS.
I KNEW IT WAS COMING.
I WASN'T SURPRISED.
BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY A SURPRISING DAY.
>> Stephen: WELL, TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE CHAMBER.
WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT THAT IT WAS HAPPENING?
AND HOW WERE YOU INFORMED THAT YOU NEEDED TO LEAVE FOR YOUR
SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF?
>> YOU KNOW, I WAS LUCKY, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
AND AS I STARTED TO LOOK AT TWITTER AND I WAS GETTING REALLY
KIND OF THAT FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO GO DOWN.
AND, YOU KNOW, PLUS THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH EARLIER IN
THE DAY PUT ME ON EDGE.
AND THEN I STARTED TO SEE THE BARRICADES WERE BEING STORMED.
AND I MADE THE DECISION THEN TO GO BACK TO MY OFFICE AND I'M
GLAD I DID.
I MOO FRIENDS AND STUFF I TALKED TO ON THE FLOOR, IT WAS
OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING SURREAL, LIKE "END OF TIMES" KIND OF
MOVIE.
AND WHEN THEY'RE PULLING THE ESCAPE HOODZ AND PUTTING THEM ON
THEIR HEADS, WHICH WE NEVER THOUGHT WE'D HAVE TO USE, THAT'S
CRAZY.
>> Stephen: WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE SAID AND DONE TO
CALM THE SITUATION DOWN?
BECAUSE YOU WERE NEVER ONE-- YOU HAVE CONSTANTLY BEEN A CRITIC OF
THE IDEA OF OPPOSING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTION.
YOU'VE CALLED THE PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR IRRESPONSIBLE, EVEN
BEFORE THE ELECTION.
BUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW SO THAT THIS IS NOT PERCEIVED AS
NORMAL?
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO THOSE PEOPLE, THE MAJORITY OF THE
REPUBLICANS IF YOU COMBINE THE SENATE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE, THOUGHT THAT THIS DENIAL OF THE CERTIFICATION ARGUMENT
WAS A GOOD IDEA.
WHAT-- WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH THOSE PEOPLE?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THE ONLY THING
THAT CAN HAPPEN IS A POLITICAL DECISION.
BUT ON LEADERSHIP, YOU KNOW, LEADERS IN THIS PARTY WHO
CONVINCED PEOPLE THAT SOMEHOW CONGRESS COULD MAGICALLY PICK
THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT
WAS GOING TO BE EASIER TO JUST AVOID THAT PAIN OF SAYING, "NO,
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE," THAN WHAT WE FACE NOW.
I MEAN, WE HAVE TO HAVE A REAL AWAKENING MOMENT IN OUR PARTY.
THE G.O.P. HAS GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF CULTURE WARS AND
GET BACK INTO THE BUSINESS OF GIVING PEOPLE HOPE AND
OPPORTUNITY AND ACTUALLY MAKING THE CASE FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE,
INSTEAD OF THINKING WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH POWER AND ALL-CAPS
TWEETS.
>> Stephen: THERE'S A QUOTE THAT IS SOMETIMES ATTRIBUTED TO
HUEY LONG AND SOMETIMES SAINT CLAIRE LEWIS "WHEN FASCISM COMES
TO AMERICA IT WILL BE CLOAKED IN AMERICAN FLAGS."
WAS THIS AN ATTEMPTED FASCIST COUP?
AMERICAN TERRORISM?
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE IT?
>> I CHARACTERIZE IT AS A COUP ATTEMPT.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THE UNITED STATES IS THE GUARDRAILS, THE
CONSTITUTION WILL HOLD.
BUT THE ONE THING IT DOES SHOW US IS THE FRAGILITY OF
DEMOCRACY.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE STORMING THE CAPITOL, SAYING
THINGS LIKE 1776, A FEW PEOPLE WITH CONFEDERATE FLAGS COME AND
OCCUPY THE CAPITOL, YOU SEE GUNS DRAWN IN THE PEOPLE'S CHAMBER,
YOU KNOW, WHERE THIS DEBATE IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AND YOU SEE A
PRESIDENT NON-REPENTANT ON TWITTER, IT'S ABSOLUTELY A COUP
ATTEMPT.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'D CALL IT IF IT HAPPENED IN BELARUS OR ANY
OTHER COUNTRY.
>> Stephen: I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE
SECURITY OFFICERS IN THE CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE WITH THEIR GUNS
DRAWN POINTED AT THE BROKEN WINDOW OF THAT FAMOUS DOOR THAT
WE ALL SEE THE PRESIDENT WALK THROUGH FOR THE STATE OF THE
UNION, THAT YOU WALK THROUGH EVERY DAY AS A PART OF YOUR JOB,
WILL YOU EVER LOOK AT THAT DOOR THE SAME WAY AGAIN?
>> NO, I NEVER WILL.
AND IN FACT, YOU KNOW THERE ARE BULLET SCARS IN THE HOUSE FROM A
TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE 50 FRONTAL SYSTEM I THINK PUERTO
RICAN SEPARATISTS.
AND THAT'S ALWAYS KIND OF SHOWN AS WHAT CAN HAPPEN.
THIS IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER THING.
IN 50 YEARS WHEN PEOPLE GIVE TOURS, THEY'RE GOING TO TALK
ABOUT THOSE BULLET SCARS AND THE SCARS FROM TODAY.
BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THE DEMOCRACY WILL SURVIVE.
BUT PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THISWITH A DIFFERENT OPINION,
PASSIONATELY DEBATE BUT RECOGNIZE THAT POLITICS WAS
INVENTED TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AND OUR POLITICS HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR
SO LONG.
>> Stephen: YOU TWEETED, "LEADERS WHO LED THIS SHOULD ALL
RESIGN SO THE ADULTS AND TRUTH TELLERS CAN RESTORE OUR G.O.P."
WHO ARE THOSE LEADERS?
COULD YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC?
DOES IT INCLUDE THE...
THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT?
SHOULD THEY LEAVE NOW?
SHOULD THE 25th AMENDMENT BE INVOKED?
>> YEAH, SO I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO NAMING NAMES, BUT ON THE
PRESIDENT, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
IF HE'S GOING TO STAY IN OFFICE-- YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY TWO
WEEKS SO HOW YOU CAN QUICKLY DO THIS.
IF HE'S GOING TO STAY IN OFFICE AND CONTINUE TO BE NONREPENTANT
ON TWITTER AND SAY PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE VIOLENT BUT THEY
WERE JUSTIFIED IN DOING THIS, I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT
WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW MORNING, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE
WHERE THAT GOES.
BUT THE REALITY IS EVERYBODY THAT LED LED-- YOU KNOW, OUR
SUPPORTERS WHO LOOK TO US FOR TRUST, THEY DESERVE TO TELL THE
TRUTH TO THEM NOW.
>> Stephen: WHILE YOU HAVE BEEN A VOCAL CRITIC OF THE
PRESIDENT, DID YOU VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT LAST YEAR?
>> NO, I DIDN'T.
>> Stephen: WOULD YOU LIKE ANOTHER BITE AT THAT APPLE?
>> I THINK IF IT WAS DIFFERENT NOW, I WOULD CERTAINLY-- IF I
KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER THAT.
I WILL SAY, A BIG DIFFERENCE BEFORE THE ELECTION AND AFTER
THE ELECTION WHEN YOU TRY TO UNDERMINE THE VERY PINNINGS OF
DEMOCRACY, SIGNIFICANTLY DANGEROUS.
>> Stephen: WE HAVE TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.
WHEN WE COME BACK, I WILL ASK REPRESENTATIVE KINZINGER HOW
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD ARE SEEING WHAT HAPPENED IN AMERICA
TODAY.
♪ ♪ ♪
INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTATIVE ADAM KINZINGER.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF TODAY?
>> I MEAN, UNFIT FOR OFFICE.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR HIM TO TRY TO USE THE MILITARY WHEN IT
COMES TO OVERTHROWING AN ELECTION, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST--
IT'S A DISASTER.
AND I THINK AMERICANS ARE HAPPY THAT WE ONLY HAVE TWO MORE WEEKS
OF THIS LEFT.
BUT THEY COULD BE TWO INTERESTING WEEKS.
>> Stephen: YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE.
WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW FOREIGN COUNTRIES MUST BE
PROCESSING THIS?
>> THIS IS ESPECIALLY HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE I GO TO
FOREIGN COUNTRIES A LOT AND TALK ABOUT USING US AS AN EXAMPLE OF
A DEMOCRACY TO BUILD AND ASPIRE TO.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO TELL THAT MESSAGE NOW EXCEPT WE
RISE FROM THESE ASHES.
IF WE RISE FROM THE ASHES WE HAVE A BETTER STORY TO TELL.
IF WE CONTINUE TO BE MIRED IN THIS DISFUNCTION, IT'S NOT
SOMETHING WE CAN BRAG ABOUT ANYBODY.
>> Stephen: HOW DO YOU THINK THE STAFFS FEEL OF THE
CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS WHO SUPPORTEDLET IDEA THAT ACTUALLY
LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THIS INSURRECTION TODAY?
DO YOU THINK THEY FEEL BETRAYED BY THEIR LEADERS, THEIR BOSSES?
>> YEAH, I THINK YOU'LL HAVE SOME FULLY BELIEVE IN WHAT
THEY'RE DOING, SOME THAT WERE BEING FAITHFUL TO THEIR BOSS AND
DISAGREED.
I'LL TELL YOU, WHETHER IT'S A STAFF MEMBER, IT'S NOT THEIR
FAULT.
BUT IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND YOU WERE CALLING
FOR OVERTHROWING THIS ELECTION-- AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU WERE THE
ONE-- KNOW WHO OF THE ONES DRIVING THIS AND USING IT FOR
YOUR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN-- I HOPE THIS PUT A BIG BREAK ON
THAT ASPIRATION.
>> Stephen: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> TAKE CARE.
>> Stephen: CONGRESSMAN KINZINGER, EVERYBODY.
NIGHT, WE THOUGHT WE WOULD END WITH A BEAUTIFUL SONG.
PERFORMING HER TONY MORRISON-INSPIRED SINGLE,
"SEWELLA PAPERBACK," JAMILA WOODS.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
♪ DOWN HERE IN THE BOTTOM THERE AIN'T NO ROOM FOR ME
♪ I DON'T WANNA MAKE NO BABIES I DON'T NEED A MAN TO SAVE ME
♪ SECONDHAND LONELINESS PASS ON OVER ME
♪ I MIGHT WANNA MAKE SOME BABIES RUNNIN' OUTTA TIME FOR WAITING
♪ FREEDOM AND TRIUMPH THEY WEREN'T MEANT FOR ME
♪ GIRLS OF MY COLOR FIND SOMETHIN' ELSE TO BE
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER.
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER.
, I'M BETTER.
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER
♪ UP HERE IN THE BOTTOM YOU LINGER OVER ME
♪ I GOT ALL THIS SPACE TO FILL SOMETHING ONLY BODIES HEAL
♪ MOMISCUOUS, HOLINESS, SLOPY JS SLIPPERY
♪ I GOT ALL THIS TIME TO KILL SOMETHING LIKE A PRAYER TO KNEEL
TO ♪ LAY ON MY PILLOW
YOU THINK I'M SO WEAK ♪ SOFT AS MY SKIN IS MY POWER'S
DISCREET I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M
BETTER, I'M BETTER ♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M
BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER UPON
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTE
♪ OH, I'M BETTER OH, I'M BETTER
♪ THICK WITH BIRDS I MET YOU IN THE DIRT
♪ WE GET BURNS YOU LEFT ME SO HURT
♪ THICK WITH BIRDS YOU MET ME IN THE DIRT
♪ SICK AT FIRST BUT HAVING OUR LOVE
♪ I'M NOT SORRY THEY CUT YOU OUT ♪ I'M NOT SORRY
CAN'T BE SORRY THAT I CUT YOU OUT
♪ WHAT'S DONE IS DONE NO CRYING OVER YOU
♪ ♪ NO CRYING OVER YOU
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER.
♪ I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER, I'M BETTER
BETTER, BETTER ♪ >> Stephen: JAMILA WOODS,
EVERYBODY.
LATE SHOW," EVERYBODY.
THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.
I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE WINNEROF THE GEORGIA RUNOFF
THAT'S WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
THAT WOULD BE FUN BUT WE CAPE TOWN HAVE NICE THINGS ANYMORE.
JOIN ME TOMORROW WHEN MY GUESTS WILL BE RACHEL BROSNAHAN AND
JULIEN BAKER.
JAMES CORDON IS NEXT.
14 MORE DAYS, GOOD NIGHT.
Captioning sponsored by CBS Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org