Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) dug in his heels while repeating claims that Americans are living under a “dictatorship” with President Joe Biden.
During an appearance on “State of the Union” Sunday, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins pressed the governor to explain why he thinks his political disagreements with Biden make the Democratic president a despot.
“I understand you don’t like President Biden’s policies on immigration or student loans,” Collins told Burgum, a contender for Donald Trump’s 2024 vice presidential spot. “But, respectfully, you’re calling the democratically elected president a dictator.”
Citing Biden’s use of executive orders, Burgum said, “I just think that there’s again a double standard here. He is bypassing the other two branches of government to push an ideological view of — whether it’s on economics or whether it’s on climate extremism — he’s doing that without using the other branches.”
Collins pushed back, telling the governor, “I don’t think anyone expects the Republican governor to agree with President Biden on that. But it’s not a dictatorship.”
Steven Ferdman via Getty Images
“Well, I think again, part of where this word has come from has been a nonstop media attack on President Trump saying that he might use executive orders when he takes office,” Burgum replied.
Somehow managing to muddle his message, Burgum went on to say Biden should be using executive powers to strengthen security at the southern U.S. border.
In response, Collins reminded the governor that Trump signed 220 executive orders during his tenure in office, far more than the 139 Biden has enacted “in the same timespan.”
During his “State of the Union” appearance, Burgum also conveniently ignored Trump’s own remarks about flirting with a dictatorship if reelected.
Last December, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee vowed not to abuse his presidential powers if appointed, “Except for day one.”
Watch Burgum and Collins’ exchange here: