Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) said "evil is winning" during an interview for the July-August issue of the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine.
"I really believe there is good vs. evil, and, unfortunately, evil is winning," Gillibrand said to fellow Dartmouth alumnus Jake Tapper in a wide ranging interview.
Gillibrand went on to say everyone needs to push back and repeated progressive platitudes on how Americans must protect marginalized people, health care is a right and we must ensure the economy is working for everyone. She also added that the country is being attacked from within, which appeared to be a reference to President Donald Trump.
"We have to all work 100 percent to strengthen our country right now, when it’s being attacked from within. Our core values are being attacked and undermined every day," Gillibrand said.
Tapper brought up how Gillibrand said earlier that she was a fan of The Lord of the Rings because it was a story about good vs. evil and how she views today's world through a lens of good vs. evil.
"I do think the story is an analogy to life," Gillibrand said. "There’s always good vs. evil. There’s always a mountain that you have to climb and one thing you must accomplish, and you must stand up when evil is spreading. I feel that’s exactly what’s happening today. We are going in the wrong direction."
She argued hate crimes against the LGBT community, Muslims and immigrants have been increasing, as well as bullying in schools, saying the rise of hate crimes and bullying are proof evil is spreading.
Tapper also asked Gillibrand about her being the first Democratic senator to call for her Democratic colleague Sen. Al Franken (Minn.) to resign amid sexual misconduct allegations.
"It was very difficult. I considered Al Franken a friend, and I thought he was a very strong senator and did excellent work on the judiciary committee. But we had eight credible allegations, and I got to the point where I felt enough was enough," Gillibrand said. "While the senator was entitled to every bit of due process he wanted, it was his choice. He could have stuck it out and gone through his ethics investigation. He could have sued any of the people who made allegations against him, but what he wasn’t entitled to was my silence."
Gillibrand received backlash from prominent Democratic donors for her actions against Franken.
Tapper asked if she still has a relationship with 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
"Do you still talk to Hillary Clinton at all? Is that a relationship that continues?" Tapper asked.
After a long-time relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gillibrand said in 2017 that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned the presidency due to his extramarital relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
"I’ve not talked to Hillary," Gillibrand said. "I certainly hope to talk to Hillary in the future."
Gillibrand has hinted at running for president in 2020.