Rep. Kildee Not a Fan of Pelosi Shredding Trump Speech; Says Oversight Will Continue
Reactions were mixed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s action, but one member of House Democrat leadership frowned upon the move.
It was the most meme-worthy moment of President Trump’s 2020 State of the Union speech.
Immediately after Trump wrapped his remarks before Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shredded her copy of his prepared remarks.
Click on the player above to hear Congressman Dan Kildee react to the State of the Union speech and Pelosi’s protest.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans were quick to denounce Pelosi for mangling the manuscript.
The reaction from Democrats was mixed. Many praised Pelosi for the simple protest which sent a clear message — your words aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.
But Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Flint Twp.), who serves as chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus, is one member of Pelosi’s leadership team who isn’t a fan of the move.
“It’s not the choice that I would make, not because I didn’t share the sentiment, but because it reinforces an impression that I think unfortunately works against us in the long run.” – Rep. Dan Kildee
“It’s not the choice that I would make, not because I didn’t share the sentiment, but because it reinforces an impression that I think unfortunately works against us in the long run,” Kildee tells Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today. “It reinforces the impression that, perhaps, we’re not open to conversation. I totally get it. I share the sentiment. It just isn’t the choice that I would have made.”
Kildee also talks about the Senate’s expected vote to acquit President Trump on impeachment charges. He acknowledges concerns that an exoneration would send a message that the president is free to abuse his power without fear of oversight from Congress — but says he does not believe lawmakers will give up those checks and balances.
“That doesn’t erase all of the [oversight] tools that we have,” says Kildee. “While people might interpret the acquittal vote today as some sort of a green light and the end of any Congressional oversight, that’s simply not going to be the case.”
