MSNBC anchor Mika Brzeznski cited Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) and Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) as the only U.S. senators who are not corrupt.
The "Morning Joe" panel on Wednesday interviewed Warren about her new legislation to combat corruption in Washington, D.C. In her legislation, it would be illegal for former members of Congress to work as a lobbyist, force candidates for public office to release more financial information, and prevent lawmakers and senior government officials from owning and trading stock.
Brzeznski asked if Warren was able to pass her legislation, which senators would be left, insinuating most senators are corrupt.
"Here is my big question, though, because you also want to strengthen enforcement of anti-corruption ethics and public integrity laws and boost transparency in government. So if this all happens, Elizabeth, senator, who would be left in Washington besides you, Claire McCaskill and Ben Sasse?" Brzezinski asked.
"Seriously, that really is the question, Mika? Who are we here for? Have folks come to Washington just to line their own pockets, just to improve their careers going forward? Or are they here to work in the public interest?" Warren responded.
Brzeznski didn't give a reason why she named Warren, McCaskill and Sasse as the only senators not tainted with corruption. It could be that Brzezinski picked Warren because she was introducing the anti-corruption legislation and Sasse has been one of the few Senate Republicans who has consistently criticized President Donald Trump. As for McCaskill, she is a frequent guest on "Morning Joe" and appears to have a close friendship with Joe Scarborough and Brzezinski.
McCaskill has been criticized for businesses tied to her and her husband receiving over $130 million in taxpayer funded subsidies. The senator also withdrew her name as a co-sponsor of a bill that would target offshore accounts that individuals use as a tax haven. Her husband has a $1 million investment in a Cayman Islands hedge fund.
"I'll just say this obviously opinion but as the fish rots from the head, the people do need to rise up," Brzezinski concluded.