GOP lawmaker shut down by CNN's Kaitlan Collins in fiery exchange over 'martial law' text

A fiery exchange between Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins occurred on Wednesday over the intention and lack of contrition over sending a text message to then Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows days before Biden was set to be inaugurated as president to compel the president to bring in the U.S. troops to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

"It was three days before President Biden was inaugurated and you were urging the White House to use the U.S. military to prevent the peaceful transfer of power," said Collins. "Do you regret sending that text?"

Norman responded quickly.

"The only thing I regret, I misspelled 'martial law,'" he said. "Everything happened so quick."

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"The time that was given to see if the ballots were real... you see there's a lot of questions."

The Jan. 17, 2021 text Norman sent reads: “Mark, in seeing what’s happening so quickly, and reading about the Dominion law suits attempting to stop any meaningful investigation we are at a point of no return in saving our Republic!!” ... “Our LAST HOPE is invoking Marshall [sic] Law!! PLEASE URGE TO PRESIDENT TO DO SO!!”

Norman brought up a movie "2000 Mules" centered on exposing the election fraud that was helmed by Dinesh D'Souza.

Collins was quick to remind him the creator was pardoned by Trump and that the movie "is not based in reality."

She added: "There is no election fraud. Courts have proven that. Republican judges, they were appointed by Republican presidents, have noted that."

"There was no evidence of that by the time January 17th rolled around, Congressman."

But Norman said there "were questions throughout the election process," citing Arizona and Georgia abnormalities.

Collins reminded him that Biden won the 2020 election.

"Calling for martial law because you have questions about the election I think most people would agree is subverting the will of voters that you talk about," she told him.

He attempted to answer back.

"Look, I texted Mark Meadows, that's the only person," he said, appearing to undermine its potency. "He didn't have the power. I asked him."

Collins cut in. "He was the chief of staff. Did he respond to your message?"

"I don't think he did," he ultimately replied.