Former Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon told CBS’ Charlie Rose on 60 Minutes that the Republican establishment is attempting to nullify President Trump’s election victory. In one of their first meetings, McConnell demanded Trump stop talking about “draining the swamp.”
BANNON: 'Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are trying to nullify Trump's election victory.' pic.twitter.com/wPtrpteKPf
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) September 7, 2017
Video source: CBS News
BANNON: The Republican establishment is trying to nullify the 2016 election. That’s a brutal fact we have to face.
ROSE: The Republican establishment?
BANNON: The Republican establishment.
ROSE: Wants to nullify the 2016 election?
BANNON: Trying to nullify the 2016 election. Absolutely.
ROSE: Who?
BANNON: I think Mitch McConnell, and to a degree, Paul Ryan. They do not want Donald Trump’s populist, economic nationalist agenda to be implemented. It’s very obvious. It’s obvious as– it’s obvious as the– it’s obvious as night follows day.
ROSE: Give me a story that illustrates that.
BANNON: Oh, Mitch McConnell when we first met him, I mean, he was– he was– he– he said, I think in one of the first meetings in Trump Tower with the president, as we’re wrapping up, he basically says, “I don’t wanna hear any more of this ‘drain the swamp’ talk.” He– c– flat out. He goes, “A guy up on Capitol Hill can’t buy a Coke unless it’s gotta be reported.” He says, “I can’t– I can’t hire any smart people,” because everybody’s all over him for reporting requirements and the pay, et cetera, and the scrutiny. You know, “You gotta back off that.” The “Drain the Swamp” thing was– is Mitch McConnell was day one did not wanna– did not wanna go there. Wanted us to back off.
ROSE: You are attacking on many fronts people who you need to help you to get things done.
BANNON: They’re not gonna help you unless they’re put on notice. They’re gonna be held accountable if they do not support the President of the United States. Right now there’s no accountability. They have totally– they do not support the president’s program. It’s an open secret on Capitol Hill. Everybody in this city knows it.
ROSE: And so therefore, now that you’re out of the White House, you’re going to war with them?
BANNON: Absolutely.
