Who?
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) — Senior US Senator, New Jersey
LISTEN: Laslo & Booker
Ask a Pol asks:
What do you make of the White House explanation that the FAA approved all of the ‘drones’ flying over New Jersey?
Key Booker:
“The fact is clear that there were drones being flown in ways that were not FAA approved,” Sen. Cory Booker exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “So I'm not sure exactly what they're talking about.”
ICYMI — Matt Laslo did a deep dive on the incursions…
Caught our ear:
“I was told directly by officials that that is not the case,” Booker tells us.
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Cory Booker
SCENE: After riding a packed elevator down from the US Senate floor together, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs around a large group of tourists in the Capitol’s basement to catch up with the quick paced Booker before the senator hops one of the trams underneath the US Capitol…
Matt Laslo: “Hey — what’d you make of the White House explanation on the drones, saying the FAA approved them all?”
Cory Booker: “‘The White House explanation on the drones’?”
ML: “Over Jersey, they say that the FAA approved them all, which is not what federal officials told the Jersey delegation.”
CB: “I did not hear about this most recent point that you're making that that’s what the White House statement was, but the fact is clear that there were drones being flown in ways that were not FAA approved. So I'm not sure exactly what they're talking about.”
ML: “Yeah?”
Underground Senate tram starts pulling up.
PSA: Here’s the White House statement, Senator…
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ML: “And do you, I mean, is it a little troublesome to hear the White House say that — that the FAA approved all these? Cause, again, that’s not what the DHS Secretary told, you guys.”
CB: “Yeah. I have been told…”
Tram doors grind open.
CB: “I was told directly by officials that that is not the case, so I don't — but again, I don't know what you're referring to.”
ML: “Fair.”
CB: “So I would need to know. It might be the sort of — they might only be referring to certain things, so…”
ML: “Yeah?”
CB: “…I just don't know.”
ML: “You got a day job.”
CB: “I do. I do.”
ML: “Ask your office.”
A few other reporters are patiently waiting a few feet away until Booker and Ask a Pol finish speaking.
Reporter: “Senator Booker, may I ask* you a quick question…”
*Never ask to ask a question. Just ask. — Prof. Laslo
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