Rep. Denny Heck announced this week that he is retiring from Congress. He tells Chris Hayes, “If we want to be better than this, it’s time to step up.” Aired on 12/5/19.
» Subscribe to MSNBC:
MSNBC delivers breaking news, in-depth analysis of politics headlines, as well as commentary and informed perspectives. Find video clips and segments from The Rachel Maddow Show, Morning Joe, Meet the Press Daily, The Beat with Ari Melber, Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace, Hardball, All In, Last Word, 11th Hour, and more.
Connect with MSNBC Online
Visit msnbc.com:
Subscribe to MSNBC Newsletter:
Find MSNBC on Facebook:
Follow MSNBC on Twitter:
Follow MSNBC on Instagram:
Rep. Denny Heck Gives First Interview After Announcing Retirement From Congress | All In | MSNBC
Aw, I really like Heck. He’s a good person and it is sad to see him go.
you can see it in his eyes. He doesn’t like this but knows it’s time. Rest assured we will replace him with someone good! I live in his district and know we’re gonna rally round here!
rebecca gerringer Rebecca, me too. Denny Heck was always one of the dependable good guys!
I think Trump and his henchmen have seriously worn down many dedicated, patriotic Congressmen on both sides as well as 90% of our population with his daily chaos, hate, fear, confusion and antics. The act of Impeach, Indict and Remove Trump will not even solve this problem but it will be a very good start. I think you’ll agree there will be many indictments of these Cult45 criminals very soon. ✌🏼
Vote Blue2020 to start the massive clean up of the face of America and the slow and steady repair of the unspeakable damage Dictator Trump and his henchmen have recklessly bestowed on the underbelly of our country. Trump’s actions are sinful
🇺🇸. May God bless America and steadily guide the repair of our country and the unification of our citizens. Amen 🙏🏼
@J MacDonald You could always just ask. Write him a letter. Have a down to earth and respectful conversation with a staffer. I don’t understand the disconnect that people make. He is a human being. He has family. He is a person with the same rights as you. Why project onto him? If this was your son or daughter would you then cut it out?
Shadow What are you talking about? This makes no sense.
@J MacDonald You are kidding right? Perhaps you may get some insight by reading the book/story you espouse at the end of your comment. This can’t really be a grey area for you. At least it shouldn’t.
He tells Chris Hayes, “If we want to be better than this, it’s time to step up.” So your stepping down?
Henry Seldon. He’s talking about the comatose GOP.
Also: the new gen, bud! He’s making way for the very active public servants in our district! This is sad for him but a gift to the new Rep who will replace him and our district. It really makes sense if you lived here
Henry Seldon new blood is good and necessary.
Some thing is not right Rep Denny Heck and the people need the likes of you to guide them and the Nation not run for retirement especially when the present President is the worse that the Nation has ever encountered!
Don’t just walk away……..stand up for America.
It is a shame, but I don’t blame the man.
K Whitted
Pay Attention to Tulsi who’s willing to put her life on the line for the Country.
It’s time we learn about Ourselves as a Nation
@Suzy Green Oh, PLEASE. Like much of the country hasn’t?? He gets to walk away with a pension and health insurance that we pay for. Screw him for his complete cowardice while the country is at risk.
We can only hope that the Republicans in the white house are just saying they will not vote to impeach/remove are only saying this to keep the trump calm and then vote to remove him from office.
In my estimation, it’s looking more and more like there’s a forced resignation in Trump’s future. His endorsement has become toxic, even in red states and to the UK Tories. The fact that Boris refused a presser with Trump at NATO means that he didn’t want to be associated with Trump, and they are the equivalent of the Republican Party here. When McConnell makes the determination that Trump can’t help Republicans be reelected, he will refuse to call a vote in the Senate, offer him legal immunity, and Trump will go the way of Nixon.
Alternately, he may resign “for medical reasons” to save face. He appears to be having TIAs (or mini-strokes) causing confusion, slurring, irritability and cognitive decline, so perhaps that will even be justified despite overwhelming evidence of his criminality.
I am an old lady, haven’t danced in ten years. Yesterday, when Pelosi anounced moving forward on impeachment. I got up and dances around the room, i wanted to run up and down the road screaming, HIP-Hip- Hurray. God Bless Pelosi, and ALL that votes Impeach.
@Carolyn Talbot Reagan. Remember Reagan? If you do you know reality. Hope is important but reality rules.
The thought has crossed my mind, I guess it’s wishful thinking! That would be awesome! But, I’m afraid they want to keep their power above else, including our constitution, country, and our laws!
C&B Jones so what? Serves him right! I for one would enjoy watching that!
Rep. Heck, I am one of your constituents here in Lacey, Washington. I want to thank you for your hard work throughout the years. Welcome back home. Enjoy your retirement.
@clumsiii Who’s “WE”….Why are people ok with this? People we’re in the middle of a fight???!!!
I live in Missouri and wish he was my congressman. I have all quiet but complicit by their silence Republicans. Good luck Denny!
@doug ehrhard This is SAD NEWS.😞😞😞 For DEMS
@Keion Chase Na they will elect some one else. Someone younger perhaps. Fresh face to carry in the good fight.
The Republican Party no longer exists.
Yes we are watching the death of the Republican Party. And it’s a good thing because it’s perfectly clear that they’ve been compromised by the Russian oligarchs.
Republicans Party is Trump’s Party !The Republicans Have Their Eyes And Ears Closed To Corrupt Trump
It’s long gone, understandably so. It tried to be the moral party. The problem is not too many people come across as moral people, especially the politicians that are part of the Republican party. If so, they would stop what is going on. They do not have the integrity nor courage to do it which then makes them immoral people.
He should wait untill this Impeachment is over. Let him finish one last thing for the Constitution of America then retire enjoying his remaining years of life. Mr. Elijah Cummings would of done this as well if he would of lived with retiring afterwards I am positive. Mr. Heck, do this for your legacy if nothing more before retirement.
He’s done his part — Heck can make no difference now that the process has been handed over to the Judicial Committee. Now Articles of Impeachment go to Senate hearings, where Heck can make no difference at all.
Maybe he needs to step away to take care of his health…. He doesn’t strike me as a quitter.
@eponymousIme …. If indeed it is for his health, I could understand. The Country though it is a sad time in our Government really needs to protect our National Security which is a grave concern that Trump Supporters just do not see. To prove this, other countries such as the UK, France & Germany all had assassin’s going in to murder where these countries and the world leaders are blaming the Russian confederation. Trump is putting up that wall advising these countries that Russia is not involved. I am sorry but number one, these are important allies to America but the big thing is each and every country has their own intelligence agencies. The UK much like America has one of the very best in the world and one of these attacks happened right outside their own capitol in London.
Being that the UK being so close to Germany & France in the geographic region, the UK would of assisted both Germany and France faster than any other country as well. With Trump overstepping his boundaries by taking the blame off Russia with these countries through their own intelligence agencies, this is causing a wedge between nations that can have major impact on our national security while damaging the relationship between the countries all because Trump wants to protect Putin. It is a shame that Trump Supporters don’t see this at all with blowing off our safety here in the United States. The sooner he is impeached the better for this reason alone. I agree with Nancy that it has nothing to do with the Elections coming but it has everything to to with national security regarding our own safety and the Constitution. I am a long term republican of now 15 years who did support Trump before all this came to light. I currently support Republican Canidate Bill Weld who had taken his previous oath of Office as the Governor of Massachusetts very seriously while protecting the people, constitution and the country with a full heart.
I am happy that Bill Weld sees the same way I do so he like the other two Republican canidates, Mr. Walsh and Mr. Romney are all in support of the Democrats moving forward with this Impeachment and Mr. Weld even suggested Trump gets held responsible for Treason and he is right. To make this happen, we really need as many Senators as possible make this Impeachment successful in which it will be. It’s no longer a question if the Impeachment will happen or not after Nancy confirmed yesterday to move forward with the articles of Impeachment. Impeachment will happen regardless now and it will pass before it even hits the Senate floor but the questions coming next is will Trump gets impeached followed by removal as this has never before happened in our history but with that said, during the 3 previous Impeachment processes, there was never so much solid evidence either. There could always be a first with that said. The following and final question is when will all this be over. After I did cacallating aspects, I am leaning my thoughts to February if not march by the conclusion on the Senate trial but it’s hard saying.
@Florida Crypto R ….I strongly agree with you and I used to be a Republican now an independent voter….I agree our national security is in jeopardy tRump has no clue as to how big a threat Russia really is to the world…all he sees is money an himself….little does he realize that Putin would be the first to serve him a poison apple ! tRUMP is in over his head he was never fit to run this great country nor Hillary as well . A lot of my neighbors who voted for tRump say they regret ever voting for him…I for one didn’t vote for either in 2016 they were both criminals in my eye. But we are in sad times an I fear for all our children’s future and this great country that has given me the opportunity to become successful in business !
Would HAVE done, would HAVE lived
I don’t understand why Democrats are stepping down and not defending our Constitution?? To make room for another Republican weasel to turn against the American people? It doesn’t make sense.
Not everything needs to be a conflict… sometime you just have to enjoy your life and what you get up each day to do. Let’s hope his replacement has american values and strength of character.
True that! I live in his district and I feel 80/20 positive that your hope and my hope will be true. New vigor – we’re gonna see to this
Sorry that Congressman Heck is retiring he’s always seemed to be very good at his job! But it is very understandable during these times.
He’s clearly not very good at his job at all, when it’s difficult he quits.
Sorry to see him leave, we need people such as Rep. Denny Heck who will stand up for the Constitution and the oath of office. I hope his replacement will fallow suite, not a person with unethical behavior.
He leaves when we need him more than ever.
If he wants to speak out against Trump, he has to leave…if you even look at Trump wrong in the hallway the thin-skinned ego-maniac will destroy your reputation and force you out of office. He’s better to leave with his reputation in tact and then speak out…hopefully he will speak out.
justmemadison …….I like him and think he feels it’s best for him to leave. But I don’t see how anyone who’s a straight up honest person has anything to fear from Trump. Why couldn’t he wait until the end of trumps term? Seems nuts all these ppl bailing when Rrumps trying to take over the nation! Are they going to speak out when they’re back at home? And if you’re going to resign anyway…what does it matter if Trump slanders you?
Somethings fishy! I think they know things the public doesn’t know yet.
FurKids OnBoard there are plenty of others who are happy to step up in his place.
No issue at all.
Absoultely.
Putin injected a virus (trump) into our democracy.
So sad to hear this news. But it’s understandable. I’m ready to leave this country. The country I love.
If tRump is in the WH in 2020 we will leave.
That’s why I admire HONGKONG THEIR PEOPLE ARE WILLING AND READY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR DEMOCRACY !
When a good man has to walk away, you know something is terribly wrong.
They should do things to stop the bad man from doing terrible things. Not walking out. It’s like you saw a man raping a child and didn’t do anything to stop the man doing the act. IMO.
@1 day ago The argument you’re making is the same one he should have had with himself before deciding to run for his current term in office. He surely did that level of soul searching at that time. If not, it was irresponsible on his part. The argument can be made that he could have never anticipated current circumstances at that time. However, he should have anticipated being challenged in very difficult and stressful ways during his current term. If age is the argument, then maybe there need to be age limits on Congressmen. I would support maximum age limits for politicians. Most of the ones over 65 are inept and out of touch with current issues.
Sundown was a couple hours ago. He should have already moved out of his office and made room for a person who will roll up their sleeves and make progress with him out of the way. Citizens do not have time for him to linger in DC in preparation for a farewell speech. Citizens need Congressmen — all Congressmen — to act now. DO THEIR JOBS!
@godless glk do you fight a gang by yourself or with a gang?
Or is it that there is dirt on him and if he doesn’t resign they will out him! Something terrible is happening and if we don’t stop it good by to Democracy the monsters of the world take over!
Then by your definition he should have stayed. He didnt win because he resigned. He can still be taken to court if corruption is proven.
Don’t walk away, it just makes it easier for Russia to win another presidential election
Rufus Griffiths He can still do speeches, in fact he will have more time to do so. I hope he does.
Unfortunately, good people are leaving and making it very easy for the republicans to keep doing their dirty work and keep messing up our country! Trump has really done a horrible thing to our country!
“It is abrasion to the soul to watch it…”
How do you think it feels to us?
Stay and fight, please?
“ If we are better than this , then it’s time to step up “ by standing down ??? I don’t get it.
What don’t you get…..? He’s done all he can in the House now it’s on to the REPUBLI-KKK-ANS in the Senate to vote on impeachment of the tRump ! There’s nothing more he can do to help it’s in the hands of the Senate that is controlled by the REPUBLI-KKK-ANS an on there knees for Putin’s puppet !
@Feng L WOOPS!! You do know the Demokkkrats stared the KKK right? woops Lincoln was a Republican that freed the slaves.
To all the Republican congressmen/senators who are unwilling to stand for the truth, justice and the constitution for fear of a trump tweet. Consider all the soldiers whom have fought and died to protect the same values.
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE DEVIN NUNES:
“moo”