George W. Bush: 'We All Need Answers' On Trump And Russia
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former President George W. Bush says "we all need answers'' on the extent of contact between President Donald Trump's team and the Russian government and he defended the media's role in keeping world leaders in check.
In an interview on NBC's "Today'' show, Bush says he would trust Senate Intelligence panel Chairman Richard Burr to decide if a special prosecutor is necessary.
But, Bush says, "I think we all need answers."
"I'm not sure the right avenue to take," he said. "I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.''
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is leading the FBI investigation on the subject, but calls for an independent prosecutor are mounting.
Bush on Monday also defended the media's role in keeping leaders in check, noting "power can be addictive.''
"I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy," he said. "It's kind of hard to tell others to have an independent, free press when we're not willing to have one ourselves.''
Bush added, "We need and independent media to hold people like me to account – I mean, power can be addictive and it can be corrosive, and it's important for the media to call to account people who abuse their power."
A new Wall Street Journal poll said a majority of Americans, 51 percent said the media has been too critical of the president, while 41 percent say it has been fair and objective.
When asked about immigration, the former president said he is "for an immigration policy that is welcoming and upholds the law."
But he also said Trump has only been in office for a month, adding that "I think you have to take the man at his word that he wants to unify the country and we'll see whether he's able to do so."
For his own part, Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, and the key points of his address have been released.
President Trump is set to give an address to a joint session of Congress tomorrow night.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, Trump is looking to boost defense spending 10 percent – but make big cuts across government. New details should also emerge on plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
On Monday, Trump met with chief executive officers of major insurance companies as he works to replace Obamacare.
"The new plan will be a great plan for the patients, the people and hopefully the companies," Trump told the group.
The President said he will lay out more plans for repealing and replacing the Affordable Act in the joint session.
"It will include a historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," he said.
Democrats are already on the attack
"The president will come to Congress with a populist message, in an attempt to cloak what has been a hard-right, anti-working person administration," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
Despite anticipated budget cuts, CBS2 is told Trump will not touch entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
