TRANSCRIPT: TELEMUNDO NEWS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HILLARY CLINTON
Miami –June 14, 2016- Democratic presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton, granted an exclusive interview to Telemundo News that aired today, June 14 at 4 PM/5C on ” Al Rojo Vivo” and at 6:30 PM/5:30C on “Noticias Telemundo.”
The exclusive, conducted by Telemundo News anchor José Díaz-Balart forms part of the network’s coverage plans for the presidential elections under the signature banner #YODECIDO (I decide), a one-of-a-kind multiplatform effort to inform and empower Hispanic voters nationwide.
Mandatory credit: “Telemundo News.”
This is a rush transcript and may not be in its final form.
Interviewer: José Díaz-Balart.
Interviewed: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Place: Orlando, FL/ Pittsburgh, PA.
Date: 06/14/2016
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Madame Secretary, thank you for being with me.
HILLARY CLINTON:
Thank you, José. I’m always happy to talk to you, I just regret the circumstances, with you being in Orlando, that we are speaking today.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Indeed, that’s exactly the– epicenter here of this horrible tragedy. As you know, Madame Secretary, the majority of the 49 victims were of Hispanic dissent or origin. What do you say to this community that has seen so much pain, so much suffering, many who come to this country searching for– for a better life?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, what is there that anyone can say? I am just heartbroken over this terrible, terrible tragedy. And I wanna send my sympathy and support to the families of all of the young people who were murdered so barbarically– in the night club. And I wanna send my very best wishes to those who are still fighting– against their terrible injuries in the hospital. The families and those who survived are, you know, really going to be facing– a long path forward. And I hope that not only the Orlando and Florida community but the American community– stands behind and with these– families that have been so shattered.
I know that the Telemundo family actually lost– a young man who worked with you. I’m here in Pennsylvania, two young women from Philadelphia were– in the night club, one died and one has been injured. So this is– a deep and profound shock to us all.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Are you planning to come down to Orlando?
HILLARY CLINTON:
I’m looking– to do that when it’s appropriate, when there is, you know, some way that I can show my support. I don’t wanna be in the way of the– of the very– difficult law enforcement– process that is going on or– the families who are grieving or standing watch at the hospital. But I will be there because I want everybody– everybody in Orlando and far beyond, particularly the Hispanic community, to know that– I wanna be a president for everyone in this country. That’s my goal, this what I will do, that’s what I’ve done in my past.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Secretary, yesterday you reiterated your proposal to fight ISIS and make America safer, adding that we should enact stricter gun control laws. Donald Trump says that what you wanna do is take away Americans’ right to own guns and to leave the bad guys into something with– with the guns. What’s your reaction to that?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, it’s like so much that he says. It’s absolutely absurd and another one of his demonstrable lies. It is– not at all what I have proposed. I respect the second amendment and the right of individuals– to own– firearms. But I think that we all agree that– there are some people like this young man who had been under F.B.I. investigation, who turned into such a brutal killer– who should not be able just to walk in and buy weapons of war.
So I want the country to come together. Responsible gun owners– brokenhearted family members from Sandy Hook, to San Bernardino, to Aurora, Colorado, to Orlando and so many other places, let’s work together to try to save lives, protect people. We can do that consistent with our constitution.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Would you be prepared as president to take executive action on the assault weapons ban if– if Congress continues not to act on it?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, I would certainly support all of the executive actions that President Obama has already proposed. And as you recall, José, when my husband was president– the Congress passed and he signed an assault weapons ban. So for ten years– assault weapons were much harder to get. And then the ban expired and– we have seen a rash of terrible– killings and massacres– using these weapons of war.
So I would like to save lives. Now you know, the gun lobby will say, “You can’t stop everybody.” And I would agree with that: You can’t stop everybody. Isn’t it worth stopping as many as possible, saving as many lives as we can? And I think comprehensive background checks– and trying to keep guns outta the wrong hands would help us do that.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Secretary, it’s been revealed today that the DNC computer network was breached by a Russian government cyber operation, the DNC Opposition Research Unit. It compiles, among other things, information on– on people like Donald Trump who was apparently specifically started by hackers. What can you tell us about that incident? How– how worrisome is it?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, I only learned about it when it was– made public. And it is troubling, just as all cyber-attacks– against our businesses and our institutions, our government are. The Russians– and according to the reporting– who did this hacking were in– most likely in the employment of the Russian government. The Russian government uses– cyber-attacks to gain information for economic commercial advantage, for political advantage and for military advantage.
And you know, this seems like another example where they’re tryin’ to vacuum up information. Now, why? We don’t know yet. So far as we know, my campaign has not been– hacked into and we’re obviously looking hard at that. But cyber security will be an issue that I will be absolutely focused on as president. Because whether it’s Russia, or China, Iran or North Korea more and more countries are using hacking to steal our information, to use it to their advantage. And we can’t let that go on.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
You’re meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders later today, Secretary. Have you thought about him as your VP candidate? What are you guys gonna be talking about?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, we’re gonna have a– wide-ranging conversation– because we share a lotta the same goals. We both want to raise the minimum wage, we want– to fight inequality of income, we want to make college affordable and we certainly want everybody to get health care. So we’re going to discuss our common goals and how we can work together. I very much am looking forward to– having his support in this campaign because Donald Trump poses a serious threat– to our nation– based on what he has said. He is unqualified to be president and he is unfit temperamentally to be commander-in-chief. So Senator Sanders and I have a lot to talk about, we have a lot in common.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Well, lemme reiterate that. Would you consider having him on as your VP?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, I haven’t even begun to really sort all that out, José. We’re gonna talk tonight and there are a lot of– really qualified– dynamic candidates– I’m sure to be considered for vice president. So we’ll go from there.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Immigration is another subject that separates you from Donald Trump. You have said you believe in creating a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented immigrants living in this country. President Obama said the same thing eight years ago; he didn’t accomplish it. What makes you so certain that you could make it happen?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Well, for one thing I’m going to start in the very beginning of my administration– because I think this is– one of the most important priorities that I have to address as president. And I’m going to work hard to elect a Democratic Senate, because I think with a Democratic Senate we can get something outta the Senate.
And I really believe, José, if– if I am successful– in winning in November, if we have a Democratic Senate I think the Republican Party will wake up to the reality that their opposition to– comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship is a losing proposition. That Donald Trump’s– inflammatory rhetoric and derogatory comments– do not really work– in a national election. And I think we’ll have a better chance to actually get something done.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Secretary, are you ready to debate Donald Trump on– this and other issues?
HILLARY CLINTON:
I certainly am, José. I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t know when that will happen. As you know there’s a presidential debate commission. But whenever they tell me to show up, I will be there early. Because I wanna– to– debate him and– you know, draw the contrast between what he believes and– what I think is best for the country.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
You say he’s not qualified to be president of the United States. What are the major issues that you feel disqualify him?
HILLARY CLINTON:
Oh, I think that his– views about– America– his constantly– downgrading our country, his insulting our military. His– defamation– of so many groups of people, not just immigrants but– women, Muslims– people with disabilities. And what he said last week about the judge who is hearing his case is just contrary to the rule of law and how– our country works. To say that a judge because he had Mexican heritage– a judge born in the United States– who’s done an exemplary job as a federal prosecutor and a federal judge– could not hear his case shows a deep– misunderstanding of how our country works. And I think time and time again he has illustrated– he just doesn’t very the qualifications to be our president or to be our commander-in-chief.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Secretary Clinton, thank you very much for being with me. It’s a pleasure to see you.
HILLARY CLINTON:
Good to talk to you, José. And again, I’m sorry for Telemundo’s loss and the loss of the families and everyone– of the loved ones in Orlando. Thank you.
JOSÉ DÍAZ-BALART:
Thank you very much. Secretary, thank you very much for your time. I very much appreciate it.
TELEMUNDO is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content across its multiplatform portfolio to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The network features original scripted dramas from Telemundo Studios – the #1 producer of Spanish-language primetime content – as well as non-scripted productions, theatrical motion pictures, specials, news and first-class sports events, reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic viewers in 210 markets through its 17 owned stations and 54 broadcast affiliates. TELEMUNDO is part of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
