GOP Rep. Defies Right-Wing Media: “All Media Should Have A Seat At The Table And Ask Tough Questions” To Trump

Sean Duffy: “It Would Be No Different Than Barack Obama Trying To Ban Fox News"

From the December 6 edition of CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer:

Video file

WOLF BLIZTER (HOST): Do you agree that the U.S. should not be opposing so-called religious tests? That people should be able to freely criticize the president of the United States without fear of retribution? 

REP. SEAN DUFFY: Absolutely. That's a basic tenet of our American democracy. I don't know what he is speaking to with regard to Donald Trump, what he is trying to get at. But everyone, Democrat, Republican, independent, hold up that tenet. 

BLITZER: I guess he was suggesting that about the fear of banning Muslims for example, or having a Muslim registry, that would go against American principles. Also, some of the president-elect supporters have said  “you know what, those news organizations that are critical, just ban them, if you will. Don't even let them show up at the White House. Don't give them credentials.” You’ve heard some of those, ignore them, if you will. Would that be appropriate? 

DUFFY: To go back to the Muslim ban first, that's inappropriate. But I do think you have to recognize that we have some hot zones that are terrorist breeding grounds, that are in other places in the world and we should be very cautious about allowing folks into our country from those regions if we cannot vet them and guarantee they want to be part of the American dream and as Donald Trump said, that they're going to love America. That's different than a complete Muslim ban. In regard to the media. Listen, CNN, Donald Trump might not like the reporting that you've given, or MSNBC, what they've given Donald Trump. But the bottom line is you're tough, you're usually fair and frankly, all media should have a seat at the table to ask tough questions to our president-elect. It is part of holding people accountable. And to conservatives who watch your show, that’d be no different than Barack Obama trying ban Fox News. Everybody should be welcome. We should ask tough questions, we should have a great American debate and I think that forms opinions of the president, far better than just catering to the people that agree with him. Whether you’re talking about Barack Obama or President-elect Donald Trump. 

WOLF BLIZTER (HOST): Do you agree that the U.S. should not be opposing so-called religious tests? That people should be able to freely criticize the president of the United States without fear of retribution? 

REP. SEAN DUFFY: Absolutely. That's a basic tenet of our American democracy. I don't know what he is speaking to with regard to Donald Trump, what he is trying to get at. But everyone, Democrat, Republican, independent, hold up that tenet. 

BLITZER: I guess he was suggesting that about the fear of banning Muslims for example, or having a Muslim registry, that would go against American principles. Also, some of the president-elect supporters have said  “you know what, those news organizations that are critical, just ban them, if you will. Don't even let them show up at the White House. Don't give them credentials.” You’ve heard some of those, ignore them, if you will. Would that be appropriate? 

DUFFY: To go back to the Muslim ban first, that's inappropriate. But I do think you have to recognize that we have some hot zones that are terrorist breeding grounds, that are in other places in the world and we should be very cautious about allowing folks into our country from those regions if we cannot vet them and guarantee they want to be part of the American dream and as Donald Trump said, that they're going to love America. That's different than a complete Muslim ban. In regard to the media. Listen, CNN, Donald Trump might not like the reporting that you've given, or MSNBC, what they've given Donald Trump. But the bottom line is you're tough, you're usually fair and frankly, all media should have a seat at the table to ask tough questions to our president-elect. It is part of holding people accountable. And to conservatives who watch your show, that’d be no different than Barack Obama trying ban Fox News. Everybody should be welcome. We should ask tough questions, we should have a great American debate and I think that forms opinions of the president, far better than just catering to the people that agree with him. Whether you’re talking about Barack Obama or President-elect Donald Trump. 

Previously:

Sean Hannity Urges Trump Administration To Get Rid Of The White House Press Office

Sean Hannity Urges Potential Trump Press Secretary Not To Speak With The Press Every Day

Sean Hannity: Why Should Mainstream Journalists “Have A Seat In The White House Press Room”