'That can't be a serious question!' Trump DOJ official lashes out at CNN's Kaitlan Collins

A Department of Justice official got testy Tuesday night during a CNN interview with anchor Kaitlan Collins, expressing shock that the journalist would dare ask whether he believes women who shouted at President Donald Trump as he dined in Washington, D.C., were causing "harm or damage" worthy of facing federal racketeering charges.

Trump publicly floated the idea of racketeering, or RICO, charges against protesters and protest-financiers this week, specifically calling out left-wing groups and individuals. His remarks became the topic of discussion between Collins and Todd Blanche, a Trump loyalist who is now the second-highest official in the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

When asked how the protesters' actions could fall under a racketeering charge, Blanche insisted such charges are used for "all kinds of organizations committing crimes" and "wrongful acts."

"Not just organized crime or ISIS or terrorist organizations," he said.

Blanche asked whether it was "sheer happenstance" that protesters showed up to a restaurant where Trump dined and "accost[ed] him with vile words and vile anger."

"Meanwhile he's simply trying to have dinner," said Blanche, suggesting the protesters may have been part of a larger organization.

Collins pushed back, questioning whether the women were inflicting "harm," "terror," or "damage" by protesting the president.

"They were just shouting, basically, in his vicinity," she said.

Blanche bristled at the insinuation there was no harm.

"I mean, repeat what you just said," he said, indignant. "I mean honestly. You're asking whether there's damage done by four individuals screaming and yelling at the president of our United States while he's trying to have dinner. That can't be a serious question. That cannot be a serious question."

Collins scoffed at his response.

"People can protest the president," she said. "There were supporters outside as well."

Blanche immediately clarified there's nothing wrong with peaceful protesters and tried to push a baseless right-wing conspiracy theory that wealthy elites are funding such protests.

"They're inflicting damage and harm and actually assaulting officers," he said. "They're damaging vehicles. And that's the conduct we're trying to stop."