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MPR News Staff

GOP Sen. Jeff Flake accuses President of 'routine vandalism to democratic norms'

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) listens to questions at a town hall event at the Mesa Convention Center on April 13, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona.
Ralph Freso | Getty Images 2017

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At the National Press Club Thursday, retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake said he felt compelled to "describe with alarm the state of our democracy."

The Republican from Arizona said he would not give a normal political speech because this is not a normal time. He accused the President of "routine vandalism to our democratic norms."

Flake has served 18 years in congress, and is not running for re-election this fall. He said President Trump has threatened our most valued institutions, including a free press. The power of the president is to build or to destroy, and for somebody whose private sector career was to "build," Flake says President Trump's public sector career is more focused on "destroy."

Sen. Flake said we must repair the damage to our politics, and "we could all stand to be chastened for our part in this."

He titled his speech, "Truth, Falsehoods and the Dangerous State of our Politics: A Way Forward." After his 25 minute speech he answered questions from the National Press Club audience. They were presented by Press Club president Andrea Edney.

To listen to the speech, click the audio player above.