CNN's John Avlon erupts at GOP lawmakers covering for Trump: 'A total abdication of basic responsibility'

Republican lawmakers' continuing insistence on giving cover for President Donald Trump, even after suffering historic losses in the House of Representatives, set off CNN's John Avlon on Monday.

Reacting to Sen. Orin Hatch's (R-UT) declaration that he didn't care if Trump committed a felony when he ordered hush-money payments to two women during the 2016 presidential campaign, Avlon accused GOP lawmakers of shrugging off their most basic duties under the Constitution to serve as a check on the executive branch.

"It's a total abdication of their basic responsibility to uphold the Constitution," said Avlon, who in the past worked as speechwriter for former New York Mayor and current Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani. "This is about, are we a nation of laws or men?"

Avlon didn't just save his wrath for Hatch, but also for more moderate lawmakers such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who have tried dodging questions about the legality of the president's actions.

"This is basic, folks," he said. "This is not something where folks can say, 'Nothing matters and what if he did, he's the president of our party and the economy is doing fine.' This is about basic responsibilities of the office and oath they've taken."

Watch the video below.