¶ ¶ >>> COMING UP TONIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NEAL OF MASSACHUSETTS FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REACTS TO THE SIEGE OF THE U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING.

>> THE CAPITOL POLICE RUSHED INTO MY OFFICE, THEY TOOK A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO WAS IN THE HALLWAY AND SAID YOU NEED TO GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE COMING IN THE ROTUNDA.

THE WINDOWS WERE BROKEN.

>> THAT'S COMING UP NEXT ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE STATE WE'RE IN, "CONNECTING POINT'S" LOOK AT POLITICS.

>>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

¶ ¶ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE STATE WE'RE IN, "CONNECTING POINT'S" LOOK AT POLITICS.

I'M RAY HERSHEL.

THIS WEEK SAW ONE OF THE DARKEST DAYS IN U.S. HISTORY.

ON WEDNESDAY, AN ANGRY MOB OF PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTERS STORMED THE CAPITOL BUILDING AS CONGRESS WAS MEETING TO CONFIRM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE RESULTS DECLARING JOE BIDEN THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND KAMALA HARRIS VICE PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD SPOKEN TO THE CROWD EARLIER THAT DAY, INCITING THEM AND URGING THEM TO MARCH TO THE CAPITOL.

THE PROTESTORS BROKE THROUGH BARRICADES, BREACHED THE CAPITOL AND RAMPAGED THROUGH THE BUILDING, AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FLED TO SECURE AREAS.

CAPITOL POLICE WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE NUMBERS.

FIVE PEOPLE DIED.

MANY WERE INJURED AND DOZENS ARRESTED.

IN THE FALLOUT, QUESTIONS ARE BEING ASKED ABOUT WHY THE TRUMP SUPPORTERS WERE SO EASILY ABLE TO BREACH THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

LAST NIGHT, THE PRESIDENT RELEASED A VIDEO CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE, SAYING THERE WOULD BE AN ORDERLY TRANSITION OF POWER, THIS AMID INCREASING CALLS TO REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE THROUGH EITHER THE 25th AMENDMENT OR IMPEACHMENT.

THERE'S LOTS TO SORT THROUGH.

JOINING ME TONIGHT IS SPRINGFIELD CONGRESSMAN RICHARD NEAL, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

CONGRESSMAN NEAL FOUND HIMSELF RIGHT IN THE THICK OF THE MAYHEM.

FROM INSIDE HIS OFFICE, HE COULD HEAR THE MOB SHOUTING AND TRYING TO BREAK INTO HIS OFFICE.

I SPOKE WITH THE CONGRESSMAN ABOUT THOSE TERRIFYING MOMENTS AND HOW WEDNESDAY'S SIEGE ON THE CAPITOL HAS SHAKEN OUR COUNTRY.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS AN ASSAULT ON THE LITURGY OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM.

SECONDLY, THE MAYHEM AND THE CHAOS AND THE DISCONTENT THAT WE ALL WITNESSED WAS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF HERE AS I WILL DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED IN MY OWN CIRCUMSTANCE IS THAT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, I WENT BACK INTO THAT CHAMBER, ALONG WITH MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, AND WE VOTED TO UPHOLD THE VALIDATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF JOE BIDEN.

AND I CALL ATTENTION TO THAT BECAUSE FOR WEEKS, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SOME OF HIS SUPPORTERS HAD BEEN TRUMPETING THIS IDEA THAT THERE WAS ILLEGITIMACY ATTACHED TO THIS ELECTION, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF WHAT HE DESCRIBED.

49 JUDGES, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TURNED DOWN THE REQUESTS.

JOE BIDEN WON BY 7 MILLION VOTES AND RECEIVED 306 VOTES IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

ON WEDNESDAY, HAVING BEEN FOREWARNED THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME DISRUPTION, BUT NEVER ANTICIPATING THE VIOLENCE THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT ABOUT, WE WENT TO WORK, I WENT TO WORK, I HAVE AN OFFICE THAT IS JUST OFF OF THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IT'S CALLED 208, IT'S THE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE, AND I CONDUCT A LOT OF MY BUSINESS THERE.

IT IS A CITADEL OF TAX POLICY, TRADE, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY.

AND THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S WORK THAT GETS DONE RIGHT IN THAT OFFICE.

I WAS CONDUCTING A PHONE CALL AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON.

I THINK MAYBE 1:30 I THINK IT STARTED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND, BRANDON LEWIS, AND I NOTICED THAT MY STAFFERS WERE SAYING TO ME THAT THE CHAOS IS GROWING.

AND AT THAT POINT, HAVING ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE WANTED THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATION AS IT RELATED TO BREXIT, I SAID WELL THERE IS NO MORE TURMOIL HERE SO I'M GOING TO TERMINATE THE CONVERSATION, I THINK WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING THAT WE WANTED TO.

WITH THAT, AS I GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW, THE DEMONSTRATORS HAD MOUNTED THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL.

AND JUST AS WE WERE MAYBE NOW 2:10, 2:15, THE CAPITOL POLICE RUSHED INTO MY OFFICE, THEY TOOK A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO WAS IN THE HALL AND SAID YOU NEED TO GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE COMING THROUGH THE ROTUNDA.

AND EVEN THOUGH IN THE MORNING I THOUGHT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A BIG CROWD, THEY WERE ORGANIZING DOWN THE WALL, FOR THEIR MARCH UP, ENCOURAGED IN AN IRRESPONSIBLE SPEECH BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HE WAS SUGGESTING TO THEM THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT ASSAULT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.

UNHEARD OF IN AMERICAN HISTORY FROM ANY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

HTHERE'S A HUGE TABLE THAT I USE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

IT CAN SERVE AS A DESK, A MEETING PLACE, AS WELL.

SIX OF US WERE ADVISED BY THE CAPITOL POLICE TO MOVE THAT TABLE TO THE DOOR OF OFFICE 208.

WE DID THAT.

JUST MINUTES LATER, AFTER WE WERE ADVISED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS, SUBDUED CONVERSATIONS, DRAW THE CURTAINS, THE ASSAULT STARTED ON THE OFFICE.

THE POUNDING, THE PUSHING AT THE DOOR, I THINK CAUSED GREAT CONCERN FOR NOT ONLY THE CAPITOL POLICE WHO WERE THERE, WHO WERE TRYING TO RADIO THE CIRCUMSTANCE, ADVISING PEOPLE THAT THIS HARROWING MOMENT WAS NOW PLAYING OUT, AND AT THE END OF THE TABLE, ONE OF THE CAPITOL POLICE, THEY DREW THEIR GUN.

A CAPITOL DEPUTY SAID WE WOULD LIKE YOU NOW TO SIGN THIS PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR NAMES AND WHAT STATE YOU COME FROM, IN CASE THIS REALLY GOES AWRY.

THEY BEGAN TO PUSH AND PULL AT THE DOOR, SCREAMING AND HOLLERING THAT THEY WERE THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, THIS WAS THEIR GOVERNMENT.

AND THIS WENT ON FOR 40 MINUTES.

AND WE HELD THE TABLE FIRM AGAINST THE DOOR.

THE WINDOWS WERE BROKEN, AND CHAIRS IN THE OFFICE WERE USED TO BARRICADE ANOTHER DOOR WHICH DOESN'T GET EGRESS, AND WE JUST HAD TO BEAR IT OUT FOR THOSE 40 MINUTES.

THE LANGUAGE, THE HOLLERING, THE PUSHING, THE THREATS I THINK WOULD HAVE UNNERVED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND AS THE CAPITOL POLICE WERE THERE, THEY WERE RADIOING FOR MORE HELP, JUST ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER, THEY WERE PEEKING THROUGH A MAILDROP AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE CROWD HAD DISSIPATED.

THEY SAID COVER YOUR EYES, LET'S MOVE THE TABLE, THE TEAR GAS HAS BEGUN, IT'S BEEN SHOT INTO THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL, TEAR GAS, INTO STATUARY HALL, WHICH IS ABOUT 10 FEET FROM MY OFFICE, AND WE BEGAN THROUGH THESE CAVERNS IN THE CAPITOL TO MAKE OUR WAY DOWNSTAIRS, AVOIDING THE ELEVATORS, TRYING TO AVOID THE DEMONSTRATORS, AND MADE OUR WAY OVER TO 1100.

WE WERE THERE FOR MORE THAN FOUR HOURS.

AND JUST ABOUT FIVE HOURS IN, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND LIZ CHENEY, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, THEY ANNOUNCED SOONER OR LATER, WE ARE GOING BACK INTO THAT CHAMBER TONIGHT TO CONFIRM THE RESULT OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THIS WAS DREADFUL.

IT WAS UNCALLED FOR AND IT WAS AN AFFRONT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

IF WE SO EASILY COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WE CAN UNDO AN ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE THREATS OF THE LOSING CANDIDATE, WE'RE IN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

NEVER SHOULD WE EVEN CONSIDER DENIGRATING THOSE INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNANCE AND RECALL, THIS IS A RICH SYMBOL FOR THE WORLD, THE CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.

PEOPLE LOOK TO THAT AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND ANTICIPATION AND LOOK, WE DON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT, AND THERE ARE DAYS WHEN THE ACRIMONY PERMEATES THE TWO CHAMBERS.

BUT THERE'S A REASON THAT WE LOOK TO THAT DOME FOR CONFIDENCE.

AND IT WAS UNDER DIRECT THREAT DURING THOSE AFTERNOON HOURS THAT I DESCRIBED.

>> CONGRESSMAN NEAL, YOUR OFFICE HAD SENT US SEVERAL PICTURES, AS WELL FROM INSIDE, INCLUDING THE AREA WHERE THE DOOR WAS BLOCKED OFF.

THERE WAS ALSO A LOT OF PICTURES OF GLASS THAT SEEMED TO BE STREWN ABOUT THE FLOOR.

WERE THE PROTESTERS TRYING TO GET IN FROM A DIFFERENT ENTRANCE TO YOUR OFFICE AS WELL BESIDES THE MAIN ENTRANCE?

>> THERE'S ONLY ONE ENTRANCE, BUT I THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN THEY BROKE IT THE GLASS, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE IN A BATHROOM AREA AND THEY WEREN'.

I THINK THEY MISTAKENLY THOUGHT THAT SOMEHOW BECAUSE THERE'S A SINK THERE, THEY MUST BE IN THE WRONG ROOM AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ATTACHED THEY BELIEVE TO WHAT WE CALLED ROOM 208, AND I WENT OVER AND SURVEYED IT LATER ON IN THE EARLY EVENING, AND I WAS APPALLED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THOSE WINDOWS, THE GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND I MUST SAY THIS, AS WELL: THAT FOR THOSE THAT WERE CARRYING CONFEDERATE FLAGS, THAT WAS A MOMENT OF HIGH TREASON IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN, HOW TERRIFYING WAS THAT IN TERMS OF YOUR BEING IN THERE?

YOU HAD SOME STAFF MEMBERS IN THERE YOU SAID AND CAPITOL POLICE.

WERE YOU FEARING FOR YOUR LIFE AT THAT POINT?

>> I MEAN, I CAN'T TELL YOU.

I GREW UP IN SPRINGFIELD, SO I'M NOT PUSHED AROUND EASILY AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT.

AND I THINK IT'S PART OF THE CHARACTER ONE DEVELOPS WHEN YOU GROW UP AMONG DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW THEM ALL AND SO I'M NOT EASILY INTIMIDATED.

MY STAFF AND MY OTHERS WILL CONFIRM THERE WAS NO PANIC, THAT'S FOR SURE, A VERY MEASURED RESPONSE, HELD THE TABLE AGAINST THE DOOR, ENCOURAGED EVERYBODY TO BE CALM, AND I THINK THE LEVEL WENT UP IN THE ROOM, EVEN THOUGH WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO WHEN THE OFFICER DREW HIS GUN BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE THE CHAMBER, WITH FIVE CAPITOL POLICE WITH THEIR GUNS DRAWN ON PEOPLE WHO WERE BREAKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS, THIS WAS AN ASSAULT ON OUR DEMOCRACY, BUT I WILL TELL YOU, I THINK THAT MY RESPONSE WAS PRETTY MEASURED AND I DIDN'T OFFER ANY UNDUE NERVOUSNESS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

>> AFTER YOU AND THE STAFF MEMBERS HAD GONE TO A SAFE HAVEN, WERE THE PROTESTERS ABLE TO GET INTO YOUR OFFICE AT ALL?

WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE OR VANDALISM DONE INSIDE THE OFFICE?

>> NO, BY THE TIME, THEY HAD BEEN PUSHED OUT OF THE CAPITOL AND THEY WERE BEING PUSHED BACK FROM THE ROTUNDA AND THE CAPITOL POLICE I THINK CLEARLY, THERE WAS A MISCALCULATION AS WHAT SORT OF FORCE LEVEL THEY WERE GOING TO NEED.

I THINK WE'RE ALL DISMAYED BY THE VIEWING OF THAT OFFICER RUSHING UP THE STAIRS AS HE WAS BEING CHASED EVEN THOUGH HIS BATON WAS OUT, AND I THINK THAT FOR ALL OF US, AS WE WITNESSED THESE EVENTS, MY SENSE WAS THAT IT WAS JUST SHEER MAYHEM.

IT'S VERY, VERY HARD TO DESCRIBE.

THE DECISION TO LET THEM COME UP THE STAIRS OF THE CAPITOL, THE STAIRS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE EAST FRONT WAS AN ABOMINATION.

AND AS I LOOKED OUT THAT WINDOW AND I COULD SEE THE FORCES MOUNTING ON THEIR SIDE COMING THROUGH THE BARRIERS, WATCHING THE DOOR BEING POUNDED IN MY OFFICE AND PUSHED AND SHOVED AND THINKING THEY WERE COMING THROUGH IT ANY MINUTE, I KEPT LOOKING OUT AND SAYING WHERE'S THE NATIONAL GUARD?

I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN SUMMONED SOMEWHERE.

>> CONGRESSMAN, WHY WASN'T THERE A STRONGER POLICE AND SECURITY PRESENCE OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL BUILDING?

THIS HAD BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR WEEKS.

THERE WAS ANTICIPATION CERTAINLY OF A LARGE PROTEST OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS.

WHY WASN'T THERE MORE PROTECTION OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL TO PREVENT THESE PROTESTERS FROM SO EASILY BREACHING THE CAPITOL BUILDING?

>> WELL, I READ THE QUOTE AND SAW THE COMMENTS FROM THE CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF WHO HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RESIGNED.

HE SAID WE THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A FIRST AMENDMENT DEMONSTRATION, MEANING THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE TO ASSEMBLE AND TO VOICE THEIR DISAGREEMENT WITH THEIR GOVERNING OFFICIALS, WHICH IS A PRECIOUS PART OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

BUT NOT TO MISS THE POINT, THE ANARCHY ENSUED AND TO WATCH THE CAPITOL POLICE RUSHING BACK UP THE STAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE OUTMANNED AND OUTWOMANNED, AGAIN, FOR ALL OF US WAS GRIPPING.

I ALSO THINK THAT THERE WAS AN UNDERESTIMATE OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE THERE, AND I THINK THAT THERE WAS AN OVERESTIMATE OF HOW QUICKLY THE NATIONAL GUARD COULD GET THERE.

AS I DEPARTED LAST EVENING, FROM THE CAPITOL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOT MY ATTENTION WAS THE NEW FENCING THAT'S GONE UP.

THIS IS ALWAYS TROUBLING TO ME BECAUSE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE'S CHAMBERS, THE PEOPLE'S HOME AND WHEN PEOPLE COME TO WASHINGTON, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THEM AND VIEW THEM AND USE THEM AND UNDERSTANDING IN A BIG FAMILY, DEMOCRACY IS NOISY.

NEVER MIND IN THE CAPITOL.

AGAIN, THE PROBLEMATIC PART OF MY DESCRIPTION IS THAT NOW, ANOTHER PART OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE SHUT OFF I HOPE ONLY TEMPORARILY TO THE AMERICAN FAMILY.

>> CONGRESSMAN NEAL, DO YOU FEEL THAT BLACK LIVES PROTESTERS WOULD HAVE BEEN TREATED ANY DIFFERENTLY BY POLICE AND SECURITY?

PRESIDENT ELECT BIDEN HAS INDICATED HE FELT THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN TREATED.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I THINK THE EVIDENCE IS COMPELLING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

AND I THINK IN THIS INSTANCE, THESE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS THAT ARE GOING TO COME ABOUT THAT TIM RYAN FROM OHIO AND OTHERS HAVE ALREADY SAID THERE WOULD BE A GOOD CHANCE FOR US TO OBSERVE THE EVIDENCE IN, BUT I THINK THEY WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

>> WHAT TYPE OF SECURITY HAS BEEN ENHANCED?

IS THERE MORE SECURITY FOR YOUR OFFICE, FOR YOU, FOR EXAMPLE?

AND OTHER LEGISLATORS AS WELL?

>> YES, THERE ARE NOW TROOP ENGAGEMENTS NOTED THAT 6,000 GUARDSMEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO THE CAPITOL.

WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THE INAUGURATION OF JOE BIDEN.

THE PASSAGE OF POWER, WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE AMERICAN CONTRACT.

THERE WAS AN ELECTION.

JOE BIDEN WON.

FOR TWO MONTHS, WE HEARD THAT HE DIDN'T WIN.

THAT SOMEHOW, THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED.

THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION MUST BE THAT IF HE WINS THE ELECTION, IT'S NOT RIGGED.

AND TO PERMEATE THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION WITH THESE ALLEGATIONS OF UNTOWARDS BEHAVIOR BY STRAIGHT REGISTRARS OF ELECTION AND TO CONSTANTLY INTIMIDATE THEM WAS ILL-FOUNDED AND ILL-CONSIDERED, BUT IT WORKED UP THE CROWDS.

SOMEHOW THAT THIS ELECTION HAD NOT BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW AND BY THE WAY, IT'S NONSENSE THAT IT HAD NOT.

IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR SAID THEY FOUND MAYBE TWO CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAD VOTED WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE.

+SOE I THINK THAT THIS WAS A THREAT TO THE LEGITIMACY OF OUR ELECTIONS, BUT ALSO A THREAT TOE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, RAY, MY INTEREST IN HISTORY.

JOHN ADAMS ACCEPTED THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION IN 1800.

RICHARD NIXON WITH SOME HUMOR DECLARED JOHN KENNEDY THE WINNER, RESISTING PRESSURE FROM HIS OWN PARTY TO ASK FOR A MASSIVE RECOUNT.

AL GORE LOST AN ELECTION 5-4 IN THE SUPREME COURT.

HE ACCEPTED THE RESULT OF THE LAW.

AND IN THIS CASE HERE, FOR DAYS, PRESIDENT TRUMP ATTEMPTED TO BADGER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, EVEN THOUGH PENCE'S ROLE HERE WAS MINISTERIAL IN NATURE.

HIS JOB WAS TO OPEN THE RESULTS OF THE STATE BALLOTS AND REPORT THEM TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS.

THIS USED TO BE INCIDENTALLY A PERFUNCTORY RITUAL CEREMONY.

AND FOR THIS TO BE THREATENED BECAUSE OF THE FORCE OF ONE PERSONALITY, INTIMIDATING EVEN HIS OWN VICE PRESIDENT, WAS UNWARRANTED.

>> CONGRESSMAN NEAL, THERE'S LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT IN THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REMOVAL, EITHER THROUGH INVOKING THE 25th AMENDMENT OR EVEN IMPEACHMENT AT THIS POINT.

AS I RECALL, YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF INVOKING THE 25th AMENDMENT.

DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY AND IF SO, WHY?

>> I FEEL THAT WAY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DO THIS AND ACCOMPLISH IT IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

I THINK THE TROUBLE WITH IMPEACHMENT IS THAT BY THE TIME THAT CONGRESS RECONVENES, AND BY THE TIME YOU GET ARTICLES UP AND RUNNING, AND THEY'RE THOROUGHLY VETTED, I THINK IT WILL TAKE US PAST JANUARY 20th WHEN JOE BIDEN TAKES THE OATH.

RIGHT NOW, YOU NEED EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE CABINET AND A WILLING VICE PRESIDENT TO CHANGE THOSE FORTUNES.

>> AND SO FAR, VICE PRESIDENT PENCE HASN'T INDICATED AT ALL THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO GO AHEAD WITH INITIATING THIS PROCESS OF THE 25th AMENDMENT, SO IS THIS JUST A FUTILE EFFORT AT THIS POINT?

>> AS SOON AS WE GET DONE WITH THIS CALL, SPEAKER PELOSI IS GOING TO CONDUCT A CAUCUS CALL WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS TO HOW TO PROCEED WITHIN THE TIME FRAME THAT IT ALLOWS.

SO PERHAPS I'LL HAVE A BETTER ANSWER LATER ON IN THE DAY AS TO WHAT OUR PARTY POSITION WILL BE ON THIS, BUT I THINK EVERYBODY'S HAD A CHANCE TO WITNESS THIS UNTOWARDS MOMENT, THE UGLINESS -- YOU COULDN'T IMAGINE THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN IN AMERICA.

WHEN THE BRITS BURNED THE CAPITOL IN 1812, THAT WAS A FOREIGN POWER, WAR OF 1812.

THERE HAD BEEN ATTACKS ON THE CAPITOL, BUT NOTHING THAT COMES CLOSE TO THE NUMBERS THAT ASSAULTED THAT BUILDING.

I LOOK AT THAT BUILDING EVERY DAY WHEN I WALK OVER.

YOU GET THAT TUG OF EMOTION WHEN YOU SEE THE DOME OF THAT CAPITOL AND THE SUNSHINE OF THE MORN OR EVEN THE GRAY OF THE AFTERNOON.

AND YOU THINK, DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES, WE SETTLE THEM AMICABLY WITHIN THESE TWO CHAMBERS.

AND THE IDEA THAT THE EXECUTIVE AS I NOTED EARLIER IN THE INTERVIEW WOULD ENCOURAGE LAWLESSNESS TO ASSAULT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE DISAGREED WITH THE POSITION THAT WE WERE ADOPTING IS UNHEARD OF IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIGHT THE LIGHT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD, IT'S THE BEACON OF LIBERTY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN AGAIN THAT IT'S PERFECTION.

IT MEANS THAT WE ALWAYS WILL QUEST FOR A MORE PERFECT UNION.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN, WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THEN, IF PRESIDENT TRUMP REMAINS IN OFFICE?

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT WHAT POTENTIALLY OR POSSIBLY COULD HAPPEN?

>> I AM CONCERNED AND I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS YOU'RE SEEING THE RESIGNATIONS IN THE CABINET IS SOME OF THEM DON'T WANT HAVE TO CAST THIS VOTE ABOUT HIS FITNESS FOR OFFICE.

AND I THINK, EVEN THOUGH HE OFFERED A SUBDUED ACKNOWLEDGMENT TODAY COMPARED TO WHAT THIS HAD BEEN LIKE FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR US IN TERMS OF REASSURANCE.

SO I HOPE THAT THE 25th AMENDMENT THAT LINDA JOHNSON SIGNED INTO LAW WILL BE INVOKED.

WE SHOULD USE IT.

>> WE'VE GOT, OF COURSE, THE INAUGURATION, COMING UP OF JOE BIDEN AND HIS PRESIDENCY.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT THE DIRECTION THE COUNTRY WILL HEAD IN NOW?

WE'VE GOT THE DEMOCRATS WITH THEIR VICTORIES IN GEORGIA, CONTROLLING THE SENATE NOW.

THEY CONTROL THE HOUSE, AND NOW, THE PRESIDENCY.

WHAT KIND OF VISION DO YOU SEE FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AS WE MOVE FORWARD NOW AFTER JANUARY 20 20th?

>> I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN JOE BIDEN.

HE'S AN INSTITUTIONALIST BY NATURE.

THAT MEANS HE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN GOING TO EVERY RALLY AND DEMONSTRATION ALONG THE WAY, BUT HE'S HAD AN IMPECCABLE CAREER IN TERMS OF HIS OWN FAITH IN GOVERNMENT, AND I THINK THAT HE IS A DEAL MAKER BY NATURE.

I THINK THAT REASSURANCE IS WHAT HE SHOULD OFFER THE COUNTRY IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS, NOT THE CRAVEN SPEECH WE HEARD FOUR YEARS AGO OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL.

I THINK BIDEN IS THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS EVENT.

HIS APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN SUPERB.

THE PEOPLE HE'S APPOINTED TO HIS CABINET, SUB CABINET POSITIONS, I KNOW THEM INCLUDING TWO THAT WORK FOR ME CURRENTLY THAT WILL BE JOINING THAT ADMINISTRATION, AND IN TERMS OF VISION AND CHARACTER AND CAPABILITY, JOE BIDEN IS GOING TO MAKE A TERRIFIC PRESIDENT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS WILL HIT CLOSE TO HOME IN MASSACHUSETTS, MARTY WALSH THE MAYOR OF BOSTON APPARENTLY HAS BEEN TAPPED TO BECOME SECRETARY OF LABOR.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WALSH BEING THE LABOR SECRETARY?

>> WELL, MAYOR WALSH IS AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE.

I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER THAN I AM BY HIS ANONYMOUS.

HE STARTED IN THE LABOR UNION.

WORKED HIS WAY UP, WENT TO COLLEGE AT NIGHT AND HE'S A FIRST-CLASS INDIVIDUAL.

REALLY A VERY VERY DECENT HUMAN BEING.

HE'LL BE A REALLY GOOD LABOR SECRETARY AND THE IDEA -- WE'LL GET TO SEE A LOT OF I THINK IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS.

I INTEND TO SUMMONS HIM TO GET OUT HERE AND CONTINUE THE ADVOCACY HE'S ALWAYS HAD ON BEHALF OF WORKING MEN AND WOMEN.

>> CONGRESSMAN NEAL, I KNOW YOU'RE A STUDENT OF POLITICAL HISTORY.

VERY FAMILIAR, INTUNED WITH WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST IN OUR COUNTRY.

I WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU FEEL HISTORIANS WILL TELL US ABOUT THE LEGACY OF DONALD TRUMP AT THIS POINT.

HOW WILL HISTORY VIEW DONALD TRUMP?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT HE SCRATCHED AN AWFUL LOT OF EMOTIONS IN AMERICA THAT PEOPLE EVEN LIKE ME NEVER SAW HAPPENING.

I SAW STUNNED THAT HE WON THE ELECTION.

I WAS STUNNED THAT HE WON THE NOMINATION.

HE PUSHED ASIDE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE A LOT OF CONVENTIONAL THINKING ABOUT BALANCED BUDGETS, FREE TRADE, SOCIAL INITIATIVES, AND HE RAN THE CLASSIC OUTSIDER CAMPAIGN.

HE WAS VERY LITTLE INTERESTED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY GOVERNANCE OF THE NATION.

THERE WERE NO LONG, THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS.

IT WAS MORE ABOUT CHAOS, INTIMIDATION, AND IMPULSIVENESS, EVERY DAY, AND I THINK THAT AS WE WITNESSED THE CULMINATION OF HIS PRESIDENCY WITH EVENTS THIS WEEK, WE'RE ALSO REMINDED HE STARTED WITH A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

HE'S GOING TO CONCLUDE WITH A MINORITY REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE.

>> JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE FINAL WORD, FINAL THOUGHTS IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR COUNTRY HAS GONE THROUGH THIS WEEK AND WHERE WE MIGHT BE HEADED DOWN THE ROAD IN THE FUTURE.

JUST SUM UP YOUR THOUGHTS HERE AS WE GET READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS PRECIOUS.

THE PEACEFUL EXPRESSION OF DISAGREEMENT FOR ME IS ALMOST WITH A RELIGIOUS FERVENCY.

DEMOCRACY IS SUPPOSED TO BE NOISY.

THERE IS GREAT CLUTTER TO DEMOCRACY.

THE POINT IS THAT WHAT WE WITNESSED THIS WEEK IS ENIMICABLE TO DEMOCRACY.

THIS WAS THE MOB, HIGHLIGHTED AND ENCOURAGED BY SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHERS, QANON AND OTHERS TO ASSAIL THE CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE THOUGHT THIS HAPPENED IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.

WE THOUGHT THIS COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THIS CITY, WASHINGTON, THE CITADEL OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL TAKE A DEEP BREATH, WE DID AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, TO CONFIRM THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WHICH IS ALWAYS ABOUT OUR INSTITUTIONS IN THE END, NOT ABOUT THE PERSONALITIES.

¶ ¶ AND THAT'S TONIGHT'S SPECIAL EDITION OF THE STATE WE'RE IN, FOR THIS JANUARY 8th, 2021.

REMEMBER YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTING POINT.

AND PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEK, AS "CONNECTING POINT" RETURNS TO THE AIR UNDER A NEW FORMAT AND AT A NEW TIME.

STARTING ON JANUARY 15th, WE WILL BE HERE EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 3:00 P.M., TO BRING YOU STORIES OF THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND IDEAS THAT MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M RAY HERSHEL.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

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