Below is a transcript of the interview with Rep. Jason Crow, Colorado Democrat, on “Face the Nation” airing July 14, 2024.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And now we’re joined by Colorado Democrat Congressman Jason Crow. It’s good to have you here in person.
REP. JASON CROW: Welcome, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: At a time of so much tension and some dangerous political rhetoric, I’m wondering what you’re thinking this morning and your message to America?
REP. JASON CROW: Well, I condemn in no uncertain terms – violence against Donald Trump. That type of violence has no place in America, no place in our political discourse. We resolve debates and differences through political discourse. You know, I want to acknowledge the emotion, though, that we all feel, that America feels, it’s heavy. It feels like I’m in a precipice right now, I know. So now is the time for us all to unite and come together as a nation. I think about my own background. I come from a conservative family. I am at war with Americans from every background. We can come together and do great things and unite. I strongly believe in it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to talk to you more about this and it’s an important message. However, we will do it on the other side of this break. We will be right back.
(Announcement)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome to “Face The Nation.” We return to today’s conversation with Democratic Congressman Jason Crow. Before we go to the commercial break, you used the word unite, the importance of a united country. The Democratic Party has a general fracture in this debate until 6pm yesterday. That’s where our political conversation is, whether Joe Biden will be replaced at the top of the ticket. Is the conversation over?
REP. JASON CROW: The Democratic Party hasn’t split, Margaret. I will correct this misconception about the split or fracture. The Democratic Party is a healthy and strong organization that has honest conversations that speak for the common good and respond to the concerns of the American people. That’s what we do. That’s exactly what we do. I’m not ashamed, that’s not a sign of disunity. It’s not a sign of weakness, having a conversation and responding to people’s concerns. And what we did yesterday, our group that represents some of the toughest districts in America, had a powerful phone call with the President to express our concerns,
MARGARET BRENNAN: It’s the toughest district, you say, because the prospect of a re-election campaign is getting tougher for Democrats. In the past few weeks after the performance of the debate by Joe Biden. Our reporting is that there were other Democrats on the phone, who told the incumbent president that he was going to lose key battleground states. What is your message to the President?
REP. JASON CROW: I ask the President tough questions, because that’s my job. And that is my responsibility to the people of Colorado that I represent. correct? But I want to be clear that President Joe Biden is one of the most effective national security and foreign policy presidents in generations. And I have and will continue to stand by that record. And I have been one of his fiercest supporters. But a different campaign, a campaign about messaging, that- that won. He talked about his vision of the future. If we are honest with ourselves sitting here right now, the message is not being delivered effectively. So the tough question is what will change? How do we change that message or that approach to that message to get through and win this election? Because the consequences are so high, there are no difficult conversations.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Until 6:00 p.m. yesterday, when everything changed, there was a lot of focus on this, and there were reports that there was a very heated phone call, and the President was very direct with you, and personally. Is it accurate?
REP. JASON CROW: Listen, you know, it’s a tough business. correct? There is so much at stake, emotions can run high on every side. I’m not shy away from it, by the way, it’s not about me, it’s not about my emotions. So I embrace that conversation–
MARGARET BRENNAN: — the President didn’t open the message that was given to him?
REP. JASON CROW: I think the President heard our message very clearly. And in fact, they promised to get back to us with more information to solve our problems and answer our questions. And the process that we are going to do now, in the coming days is to answer that question. We don’t have much time. But we have some time to answer those questions, have a tough debate, and what we’re going to do. Then we will decide the best path forward.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So when you say decide the best path forward, you’re not closing the door on the conversation about changes at the top of the Democratic ticket?
REP. JASON CROW: In the end, it’s the President’s decision, we can give our opinion. And I don’t make decisions without full information. And I haven’t–
MARGARET BRENNAN: — Well, he said he wasn’t going anywhere.
REP. JASON CROW
Well, again, I can’t speak for the President, what I can say is what I have — about the concerns that I have and I’ve been very clear about those concerns, because that’s my job in Colorado, that’s my job. to my constituents and my country. That is my oath, my job is to make sure that we can overcome the challenges before us, and that we can win this campaign.
MARGARET BRENNAN
But you have to be clear, it’s still worrying that Joe Biden is on the losing end.
REP. JASON CROW
I believe now. If- unless there’s a big change, there’s a high risk that we lose this election, you know, the group of Democrats on the phone again, we’re the majority maker in 2018. And- and we’re going to be the ones that help. we lead to the majority again this fall. We know how to fight, we know how to win in this difficult election, in reading the tea leaves is very annoying for many of us today. So we want to see a change in the questions we ask.
MARGARET BRENNAN
I want to ask about rhetoric. In the distance, everyone has become very hot, obviously in the last 24 hours, but I said before. Democrats have called Donald Trump a sociopath as a narcissist who has been in- and this is not only heated campaign rhetoric, direct verbal criticism in very heated terms. Do you think at this point, all of that should stop?
REP. JASON CROW
I think now, on the heels of what seems like an attempt to kill an attempt by all the evidence that we see now, we all have to take a step back, we all have to breathe. What leadership-
(CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN
Did Democratic leaders say you did?
REP. JASON CROW
They don’t have it, this- this is my opinion, although I’ve seen other Democrats come out with that message. And the President said a lot last night. What leadership is needed during these sensitive and difficult times, where violence can spiral out of control. correct? We are on that precipice. Being a leader requires all of us to step back. And we say enough is enough. We cannot do this. And this is my call to action, for the American people, and for my friends, for the American people, right now: pick up the phone, walk out the door, talk to your neighbor, talk to your friend, call. friends, who disagree with you and with them, we can disagree. You are not my enemy. You are not evil. But this is our time to come together and reach each other and our friends. Let’s stop making political moments. And let’s start making political changes. That is what is needed now.
MARGARET BRENNAN
I think most Americans would agree with that sentiment. I understand that tomorrow, members of the House of Representatives like you will receive a security briefing. There is a history of threats against members of parliament. I wonder how safe you feel just showing up for work or doing your job as a legislator?
REP. JASON CROW
Well, these are sensitive times, no doubt about it. I have received many death threats against me while I am in office. And I have also experienced political violence, myself. That’s why we all need to lower the temperature in the room. And we also have to be very alert and careful now. There is no doubt about it. And it- it goes to the previous point about rhetoric and words mattering, but also making sure that we all take care of ourselves.
MARGARET BRENNAN
Jason Crow, thanks for coming in and answering our questions and we’ll stay on top of what’s going on with the Democratic campaign. And of course, all this news when it comes back.