Topics for Cotton: Trump, wall, CIA

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., appeared on ABC’s

This Week and fielded questions from George Stephanopoulos about President Donald Trump’s mental stability, immigration, a border wall, North Korea and the possibility of a government shutdown.

“I don’t expect to have one,” he said of a possible shutdown. “I certainly don’t want to have one. But if the Democrats want to shut down the government because they can’t get amnesty for illegal immigrants, then they’re going to have to defend those actions to the American people.”

Cotton also was asked if he’ll be leaving the Senate to take the helm of the CIA. Reports in The Washington

Post and elsewhere, citing unnamed sources, say Trump may fire Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Under one scenario, Cotton would be named to lead the spy agency.

“George, the last time I checked, the CIA has a director, and he’s doing a pretty good job. And I’m honored to be serving in the Senate for the people of Arkansas,” Cotton replied.

Asked later in the week about Trump’s stability, Cotton suggested such questions reveal a partisan bias.

“Comments and questions about the president’s mental abilities always seem to be directed at Republican presidents, like Ronald Reagan and George Bush and Donald Trump. Never Democratic presidents,” he said.

After meeting with Trump last week, Cotton described the president in positive terms.

“He is an active and engaged and assertive leader,” Cotton added.