In Video: GOP Sen. Curtis says Elon Musk ‘only suggesting’ cuts amid town hall blowback: Full interview

Meet the Press: Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah

Welcome Back

We’re back with our special guest, Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah. Thank you for joining us on Meet the Press today, Senator.

The Back and Forth between President Trump and the Judiciary

We’d like to start with the recent exchange between President Trump and the judiciary. The President said a federal judge who disagreed with him on his deportation order should be impeached. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, commented that "impeachment is not an appropriate response to a judicial decision." Do you believe this judge should be impeached?

"Ah, I hope every high school civics teacher and every high school student is paying attention because we’re having a lesson in civics it’s not a crisis, it’s civics… Our founders created a system where there were these tugs and pulls between the three branches, and it’s messy sometimes, but that’s the beauty of the Constitution. I don’t think impeachment is an effective way to deal with a situation like this. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to impeach, and I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think it’s a civics lesson, not a crisis."

Do you think it’s appropriate for President Trump to be talking about impeachment in the context of this federal judge?

"I wouldn’t say it’s not an appropriate thing for the President to say. I just think I wouldn’t say something that’s going to lead to a discussion about my own fate. I think that’s just a common-sense approach. But the President is the President, and he’s going to do what the President does."

Government Cuts and Elon Musk’s Involvement

Let’s turn to the attempts by President Trump and Elon Musk to cut government programs. We’ve seen pushback from lawmakers at town halls across the country, including in your home state. What are your thoughts on this, Senator?

"I think one of our fundamental responsibilities as elected officials is accessibility. I’ve been going around the state, holding town halls, and listening to people’s concerns. I think that’s essential. And I think Elon Musk’s involvement in this issue is… a myth. He’s not making cuts; he’s just suggesting cuts. The President can consult with whoever he wants, and that’s fine, but it’s not the same as the President making those cuts."

Social Security and Elon Musk’s Comments

Elon Musk also referred to social security as a Ponzi scheme, which raised some eyebrows. Do you agree with that characterization?

"I wouldn’t use those words, but I think we’re being dishonest with people when we say we’re not going to touch Social Security. The fact is that entitlements are not sustainable in the long run. As a nation, we need to have a conversation about this. We need to talk to our constituents and tell them the truth. We can’t keep saying we’re going to leave Social Security alone without acknowledging that it’s not going to be viable in the long run."

Disagreements with President Trump

As a Republican, you have disagreed with President Trump on several issues, including Ukraine and tariffs. Are you comfortable publicly airing your disagreements with the President?

"I’m here to represent my constituents, and if I disagree with the President on an issue, I’ll speak up in a respectful manner. I think that’s what the people of Utah sent me here to do. And if I don’t agree with the President, I’ll say so, but I’ll do it in a way that’s respectful."

Final Thoughts

As the President continues to face criticism from both sides, what’s your final take on the situation?

"I just think we need to have a calm and rational conversation about the issues. We can’t let fear and anger dictate our actions. We need to work together to fix these problems, and we can do it."

Thank you, Senator Curtis, for joining us today. We appreciate your insight and perspective on these important issues. We’ll have to have you back soon. Thank you for watching, and we’ll see you next time on Meet the Press.