Washington D.C.—After President Donald Trump rescinded an invitation earlier this week to meet with state attorneys general about a path forward on gun reform, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey offered a sharp critique of the president.
“I was disappointed frankly,” Healey told Thinking CAP, a podcast from the Center for American Progress. “We thought we were going to have an opportunity to meet with him, to talk to him about what’s working in our states when it comes to gun laws and public safety, but he pulled that invitation and met, instead, selectively with two Republican AGs. I hope the day will come when he is actually interested in hearing from those of us in law enforcement about what works and what doesn’t work.” Healey added, “Unfortunately, both through the president and so many in Congress, we’ve seen nothing but an abdication of responsibility and cowardice, frankly, when it comes to doing right by young people across this country.”
In the wide-ranging interview, Healey also spoke about how Massachusetts’ gun laws may serve as a good framework for the nation; her meetings this week with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; and the many times that she has sued the Trump administration over what she believes are unconstitutional measures on immigration and clean climate, as well as the failure of the Department of Education to protect students from the predatory lending habits of for-profit institutions.
Listen to the full episode here.
Thinking CAP is a weekly podcast hosted by Michele Jawando and Igor Volsky. Since launching in 2017, interviews have included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA); Hasan Minhaj of “The Daily Show”; authors Reza Aslan, Daniel Ellsberg and E.J. Dionne; and other prominent activists and leading progressive thought leaders. Episodes are released every Thursday, and are available on Apple, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Google Play, and CAP’s website.
For information about guest booking, or if you’re interested in a transcript of the interview, please contact Sally Tucker at [email protected] or 202-481-8103.