This is a critically important segment of the President Trump interview with NBC. Within this segment President Trump is asked whether he would direct, encourage or seek to have Attorney General Pam Bondi or FBI Director Kash Patel target the previous administration officials.
President Trump says there would be no instruction from him to appoint a special counsel or special investigator(s) for the conduct of Joe Biden or previous administration officials. However, President Trump also takes the opportunity to note the targeting and weaponization the former Biden administration directed toward him.
SEGMENT TRANSCRIPT – KRISTEN WELKER: Ok. Let’s talk about some of your picks to fill out your administration. You named Kash Patel to be the next FBI director.
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: Yeah.
KRISTEN WELKER: He has a list in his book of 60 people that he calls members of the so-called “deep state.” It includes Democrats like Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. It includes former members of your cabinet, from Bill Barr to Christopher Wray. You campaigned on destroying the deep state. Do you want Kash Patel to launch investigations into people on that list?
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: No. I mean, he’s going to do what he thinks is right. And I will —
KRISTEN WELKER: Well, do you think that’s right?
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: — and I will —
KRISTEN WELKER: Do you think that’s right, sir?
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it, but —
KRISTEN WELKER: Are you going to direct him to do it?



