Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) does not believe former President Donald Trump should be “[excommunicated].”
The Republican lawmaker was pressed by NBC News’s Chuck Todd, “You believe he’s the legitimate leader of the Republican Party?”
“I believe that you’re not going to excommunicate a former president, right?” Crenshaw replied during Sunday’s interview. “And I refuse to, I refuse to go into this sort of black-and-white thinking about, it’s either totally one thing or totally the other.”
He continued, “These are complex human relationships that involve millions of people. And I have always said, look, I do not think Trump is the devil, and I won’t say that. I don’t think he’s Jesus either. You know, I’m a rational human being about this, OK?”
Watch Crenshaw’s interview below:
WATCH: Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) says Republicans can’t “ex-communicate” former President Trump, but that Crenshaw won’t go into “black and white thinking” over it.@RepDanCrenshaw: “I do not think Trump is the devil. And I won’t say that. He’s not Jesus other.” pic.twitter.com/zLiaavdl9r
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) May 16, 2021
Crenshaw declared that he is refusing to “allow this drama to engulf us.” The Congressmember added that he stands by “everything” he has ever said.
The Texas lawmaker also clashed with Todd during his interview regarding claims of election fraud.
Dan Crenshaw doesn't like Chuck Todd bringing up the fact that he signed onto the Texas lawsuit to toss out swing state votes, then says "you guys in the press" like doing this because they're "largely liberal."
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) May 16, 2021
Todd: "Don’t start that. There’s nothing lazier than that excuse." pic.twitter.com/FGRS7tF8UL
Crenshaw’s remarks came shortly after Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was purged from her leadership post as House Republican Conference chair just days before.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) was then elected as the new No. 3 House Republican on Friday.
Cheney spoke out against Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 presidential election, and continued to do so after the ouster vote.