Of a 14year sentence for a payforplay crimes. And you know, we are on the brink yet again of the shutdown of the federal government, as of 11 59 p. M. This coming saturday. And Speaker Mccarthy has a pretty stark choice to make. Will he save his job or the government . Is that really the rock and the hard place were at right now . Rightwing hard liners are threatening just that. And now, well, donald trump. And, everyone, she also spoke and broke the internet over the weekend. You see her right there. Im talking about taylor swift and travis kelce. Not what everyone is talking about. Are they dating or not . I cant pretend to care. But she has effect on jersey sales. And could she have a role in another way on the Actual Kansas city team . Well talk about that. I want to start by bringing in illinois governor rod blagojevich. He went to bprison after being convicted of corruption charges. His sentence was commuted by donald trump in 2020. Its great to be home. How are you . Im doing well. I have been eager to talk to you. You served eight years of your sentence, in part having to do with the filling of Barack Obamas former senate seat. I was wondering what was your thoughts when you heard from a defiant Senator Menendez saying he is not going anywhere. He feels he will be exonerated fully. And yet, we all saw the photographs, governor. What do you say . I say i didnt do what they said i did. I was sent to prison for an overture by president elect obama to make a political deal. Obama did nothing wrong. The Appellate Court reversed the charges. And im sympathetic to other people that find themselves in other circumstances where Weaponized Criminal federal prosecutors come after you. Having said that, ill say the obvious. That Senator Menendez deserves the presumption of innocence. I think its reasonable and fair that there may be some wrongdoing. When you find in a politicians home, 480,000 in cash, 150,000 in gold bars, the allegations of the mercedes and the rest. In my case, they never accused me of taking one penny. It was all politics. And theres a difference between criminalizing you Routine Practices in politics. Neither one of us did anything wrong. And a politician with a bunch of cash. And to explain it away, which is highly incredible. Withdraw money because of his parents coming from cuba and fear that the government would confiscate his money. Go ahead. You and i had conversations in the past, as well. You have been very unequivocal about your own innocence. It is interesting to me, in particular, given your own personal experience, that you still see a little of the turning of the side eye towards the explanation that the senator gave, even in spite that the fact that prosecutors can get things wrong. We covered a number of expungements and Xan Ra Exonerations and people freed under faulty evidence. This feels different to people, though. And theres calls for him to resign, in light of presumption of innocence. But theres the politics and the fallout involved. Do you think that Senator Menendez should resign . If he didnt do it, he should not resign and should fight. If he did it, he should accept responsibility. He should seek atonement and forgiveness. And mercy. And pay his debt to society. When you find that kind of cash in a politicians house, theres something rotten in the state of denmark. One political party, the republicans will make a big political issue out of this. The democrats find themselves in a difficult position to defend him. I would say to him, Senator Menendez, who i served with in congress, if you didnt do it, go down fighting. Thats what i did. Maybe that was a mistake. We have a duty and a responsibility, to fight against weaponized prosecutors. Having said that, cash, gold bars in a politicians home. Why is it not in the bank . Why is he not putting it on a Financial Disclosure forms . These are serious questions. This is breathtaking corruption, if hes guilty. His Statement Today invite prosecutors to do a thorough analysis how he it came to be. He created an opportunity for a map to be drawn, from point a to point b and it better match up. This is in the infancy of an investigation and indictment. They have a long way to go. People said, he had to go down right away. Did you find your tenure and office itself was a Bargaining Chip or one perceived by prosecutors as a Bargaining Chip they tried to use with you . Very much so. They find themselves in their office. The duty they have the people is put aside. The former governor spitzer did something similar to that. Will Senator Menendez do that . Perhaps. I would say this. If you didnt do it, Senator Menendez, you must go down fighting. You have a duty and responsibility to the people who elected you. If you did it, you have responsibility to not night. To accept responsibility and atone for your sins. My position with me, i didnt do it. I knew i was up against powerful forces. No one said i took a penny or gold bars. Obama wanted to make a political deal. As a result, they sent me to prison for 14 years. And the reason they did it, they were good cops and bad cops. The people that did it to me, bad cops. The prosecutor doing it to Senator Menendez looks like he has a strong case. And if its true, this is the sort of corruption that prosecutors should go after. Not criminalizing things that are political. I know your audience hates president trump. But this is what they are doing to president trump. Criminalizing things that are routine in politics and government. This corruption that menendez is being charged with, thats corrupt. Thats the stuff they should go after. Governor, two things. One, the jury did not agree with your stance. And, two, you would be surprised about the scope of my particular audience. Im known for being a straight shooter, calling balls and strikes. And my audience welcomes the opportunity to hear from both sides of an issue and does not come to a conclusion until they got all the information. Im glad you contributed to that today. Thank you for joining me. Thank you for your openmindedness. Congratulations on your success. Thank you so much. I want to bring in the former u. S. Senator from alabama, doug jones. Im glad youre here, senator. Not only because of your prosecutorial chops. Also, your role as being a former senator. And this is a moment where politics and law meet yet again. And everyone deserves the presumption of innocence. Im really curious as to what you think of the strength of the prosecutions case here. Im not going to opine on the strength of a case that ive only seen indictment. I havent seen all of the evidence. I havent seen evidence thats been tested by the defense. We talk about evidence that proves crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Conduct alleged that i think should prompt Senator Menendez to resign. I said that this weekend. I think its really premature for all of us to really start trying to talk about the strength of a case, based solely on a Press Conference and indictment. This has got a long way to go. And the senator is presumed innocent. That is a piece of evidence, by the way, folks. Thats not just a saying. That is real. And he is presumed innocent. He will go into a trial with the presumption of innocence. He has a long way to go. He and his wife have a long way to go, and the codefendants before anyone can assess the strength of his case. And the prosecutors have recognized the job has yet to begin. When you have an indictment, its the end of the beginning of the case. He has an opportunity if he chooses a defense. One of the things hes doing already, is he has given a preview of a response on what that defense might be. And part of it, hes been arguing, that parts of his job as a senator are being misrepresented by the prosecutors. And that his actions fall under the official acts of a senator. That phrase, official acts, we know has been a part of the Supreme Court precedent, as it relates to the former virginia governor, bob mcdonald. Theres a question as to whether his entertaining of a constituent who wanted to have i think a nicotinebase dietary supplement. Meetings called and an opportunity to test on the labwork on the issues. That was that case. Official octobers were carved out in the Supreme Court for that reason. Here i am, talking to a former sen senator. You know what your official acts were. When you think of an official act of congress, of a senate office, do you think whats being alleged meets that criteria . Again, i hate to im not trying to dodge your question. Oh, but you are. Im not trying to dodge. Its a preview of the defense. Theres going to be a lot more of this. Theres a lot more in the case of the governor of virginia. Theres more in the governor you interviewed, there was in his case. He is proclaiming his innocence. People often do that. What i really was looking this weekend, for people to simply say, let the system work. Let the system go forward. You can talk about the evidence if you want to. And i want to say none of this evidence has been tested by the defense. Im not taking up for Senator Menendez by this. By any stretch. Im asking i dont want to cut you off. If you would like the process to kind of roll out as it is, why are you calling for him to resign . Wouldnt it be tested on the way you are talking about . Why wouldnt he resign on that l logic . Thats the legal protess. Were at a point in this country, where people have such distaste for the political parties, for the institutions of government, the respect for the institution of government, and the senate of the united states. Thats some of the lowest it has been in the history of our country. I think theres also a duty that people have that is a higher duty than just simply to yourself and that Legal Process. I disagree with what the governor said a few minutes ago. I dont think that whether or not you resign depends on if you did another or not. The minute you resign, youre making an admission of guilt. I dont think you have to do that. What i think is that the senate, as an institute and its reputation is at stake. Im looking at a bigger thing right now, when the people of this country, are really tired of politicians. Even that are alleged. I think that people really need to look at this. And i would hope that there are clearly factual allegations that are made on this indictment. That would rise to the level. I think he owes that to the people of new jersey. At the end of the day, it will be his decision. As it is. Qu were seeing same things play out with george santos. There were times in this country where the charges themselves would lead to a resignation. Im looking at it in a different way and setting aside, if he is legally guilty or not guilty. By the way, not guilty, is not at all exoneration. We have to understand the terms that we have, as well. I understand the distinctions you are drawing on what might be the politically decision and what the Legal Process of things. When you look at this, taking a real step back, and you see the accusations by a number of republicans about a weapon sized Department Of Justice, normally talking about attacking republicans. I dont know that the indictment of a democrat actually will even that Playing Field in their minds. Wouldnt it just incentivize people to believe that as long that you have an indictment, you can essentially go Down The Line and figure out who you dont want to be in office, after politically, it would not be a good thing to have charges like this. Are you concerned that this might do you think this happens that an indictment alone can lessen the credibility of a sitting member of congress, that it would encourage all this being weaponized . I dont believe that at all. I give the Department Of Justice a hell of a lot more credit than that. I am not that cynical about the Department Of Justice. I never have been. What youre seeing is that every time, every time a politician whether its a republican, a democrat independent, under the crosshairs of law enforcement, politic is the first thing they claim. Thats the Public Defense du jour for anybody. It happens every time. We always see it. I dont believe that. Of course, there have been. Prosecutors are humans just like everybody else. They have faults and make mistakes. Over the years, the system of justice is fair and impartial. Were seeing political figures on the aisle being charged. Whether they ultimately prove guilty is going to be for a jury. Not the Department Of Justice. Remember, you know this full well. The Department Of Justice doesnt indict anyone. Only 23 members of the community. The public indict people. The Department Of Justice will not convict anyone. 12 members of that community will convict or find someone not guilty. And by finding not guilty, we have found not that someone is innocent, but that the government has not proven the job beyond a reasonable doubt. And thats the way the rule of law is in this country. Thats the way the rule of law should be. And it will play out appropriately. In all of the cases youve seen, donald trump or Senator Menendez. I hope that the pursuit of justice ends up with it being caught. Former senator doug jones, always a pleasure to speak to you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Up next, a leading democrat tonight saying it would be a good idea for Senator Menendez to resign. Well tell you who that is, next. Nancy pelosi tonight joining a small list of senators calling for bob menendez to resign. Others called for him to resign, as well. Lets talk to max boot. Hes a senior council. And joe walsh, host of the white flag podcast. And commentator karen finney is here, as well. Here we have it. We have the calls for menendez to resign. Not a long, universal list, i might add. Its trickling out. Why is it not stronger . Its a belief that no one is blov the law. And we should follow the Legal Process. If we say that for donald trump, and hunter biden, we say that for bob menendez. He will have his day in court. Thats the legal case. Theres the court of public opinion, where clearly, some members feel very uncomfortable, particularly in a moment where we are talking about a former president. Again, no comparison. Let me just be very clear, to what is alleged with bob menendez and what is alleged with donald trump. No comparison. At the same time, its important that we maintain a clear eye about having the public trust. Its important that donald trump dont get reelected. This is all youre going to see the pressure from democrats for menendez to resign grow. This is gold for the republicans. Theres zero comparison to the former president indicted four times, indicted for trying to overthrow an election. But the republicans have done a good job of Blurring Everything with hunter biden. The American People think joe biden had something to do with hunter biden. And you throw in the menendez thing and it clouds everything up. Theres a poll out. Nbc news poll that shows a comparison being drawn between joe biden and donald trump. I mean, max, its 46 to 46 . If election for president were today, who would you vote for . And one has an issue. Maybe with the messaging on economics. The other has four indictments and a track record that people are ill say its questionable to be generous on that monotion. You have an oped out about how you say im going to quote for you. Anyone who believes in preserving american democracy and the u. S. Led world order, therefore, has no choice but to back biden in 2024. However uninspiring that might be. That 46 , doesnt look inspired. That causes me concern about the future. And causes me to doubt the good judgment of the American People. Joe biden is three years older than donald trump. He also doesnt have 91 Felony Counts against him. Hasnt been impeached twice. Never tried to overthrow the constitution or storm the capitol. Details. Details. Minor things. I dont understand how people can weigh those things and say trump or biden. Thats crazy. Im honestly not sure were going to be a democracy if donald trump wins next year. I think its important to get behind biden if you believe in democracy. I dont think theres a realistic aalternative. Biden is old. He is old. I wish he were 20 years younger. But what is the alternative . Unfortunately, if joe biden steps down tomorrow, who will represent the Democratic Party and take on donald trump . Its probably going to be Vice President harris. And she does not have a very inspiring track record in national politics. I have yet to meet a single democrat who thinks she would beat donald trump. At the end of the day, the hour is late. Its either joe biden or donald trump. And you have to realize that is the choice. Its not an ideal candidate who doesnt exist versus donald trump. Im a democrat and i think she could beat donald trump. I know several who do. I met some now. There arent many. Im not going to adjudicate that. I want to Say Something about the polls. The cnn poll in New Hampshire showed joe biden beating donald trump handily. And i think we have to be careful. The more we tell voters what they should think, we shouldnt be surprised when we get that answer back. Right . Lets do what john king did. Lets talk to voters. Let them tell us. Not just through polls. It is a snapshot. When you caught me on my phone. Au want to get off the phone. Its a snapshot when democrats are engaged. Democrats arent yet. I just think theres a little too much democrat ic bed wetti going on. The next retort, if you like that poll, you put it on your forehead. If you dont like the poll, its a matter of it. It is early. I want to play for you new tonight what Cassidy Hutchinson said today. She raised the question why more people were not taking the stand that max alluded to, as well. Its time, now, for them to take that stand. Listen. Now is the time, if these politicians, these men and some women, who are currently in congress, want to make the break and take the stand, they have to do it now. We cant wait any longer for them to do it. I dont know why theyre so willing to support him. I think its disappointing. And it is not a hard issue to take. Were talking about a man who, at the very essence of his being, democrat destroyed democracy in one day. And he wants to do it again. I have to the elephant in the room. She does know why there was support for trump. We know about her because she was in service of the president as an employee in the white house, on january 6th. Theres something to be said about the fact she was able to last in spite of what she is saying. However, why do you think people are not more inclined to take this stand . What is it . Thats a great question. I have a low expectation of my party the republicans. If donald trump were indicted in four criminal cases, if he were facing 91 Felony Counts, that would finally hurt his support. That would diminish his standing in the Republican Party and the country at large. Its probably helped him a little bit in the Republican Party. Thats horrifying and appalling. You can talk about why that is the case. The bottom line is, it is the case. And i cant believe that all these republicans think that he is still fit to be president of the united states. Well, were going to come back and talk more about this. There might be one reason. On wednesday, theres going to be the next primary debate. Hes like voldemort still. He who shall not be named. Everyone not going to be there. It looks more like the federal government will shut down at midnight this coming saturday. Who will get hurt in all this . And who will the American People blame when they do . My panel has thoughts on this. Next. Count them, everyone. Were five days from a government shutdown. And the question on capitol hill tonight, will Speaker Mccarthy save his job as Speaker Mccarthy . Or will he save the government . And is that the choice they have got to make . Heres what he told nmanu raju today. How real is the fact that if you vote for democrats, they will push you out. How much is driving that decision . Nothing is driving my decision. Wouldnt have that driven my decisionmaking 15 times before. You could cut a deal with democrats. Did i cut a deal then . When . When . Im no different then or before. My focus of what drives me is the American People. Im not worried if someone makes a motion. Im not worried if somebody votes no. Back with me, max boot, joe walsh, and karen finney. Hes not scared. Do you believe him . No. His superpower, it seems like nothing he has no shame. He will go as low as he has to go and then find a way to go lower. And heres the truth about this shutdown. I think were going to get a shutdown. If he gave them everything they wanted, they would probably still kick him out. Thats how weak he is and how strong donald trump is in this equation. The right wing loves to embarrass him and he keeps taking it. Thats trumps superpower, too. Hes uncapable of shame. All mccarthy cares about is being speaker. Thats all he ever wanted. I was involved in an effort back in congress to shut down the government, way back when. Then, it was debate and argument about government spending. This thing now is all trumps bidding. This is at retribution and revenge for trump, trying to shut down the investigations of trump. Its nothing to do with government spending. Trump says, on truth social over the weekend, he said, unless you get everything, shut it down. And of course, its a much longer statement on truth social, as well. Max, i mean, is this a matter of mccarthy doing the bidding for trump . Or is the real issue here, look, it seems there are those and there are those who made it go to 15 rounds and had the gavel in the first instance. Theres overlap of the people who are now continuing to be the thorn in his side. We keep talking about this in this choice. Either he saves his job as speaker or the government. He can probably do both. Hes done both before. We saw that with the deal to extend the debt limit in the spring. I dont think this is being driven by trump. Its being driven by two dozen crack pot rightwing members. They are the wrecking crew. Th they dont have positive ideas. They want to blow everything up. And most of the house, most of the republicans, are horrified by whats going on. But they are powerless because the republicans have a slim majority. Theyre leveraging that. At the end of the day, im sure that the government will shut down. It will reopen again because i dont think that the majority of the house is going to let these guys hold the Country Hostage indefinitely. I do wonder, quick, karen, should democrats be worried that their voters dont just see this as a republican fault . No. Actually, having lived through the clinton shutdown, it ac actually matters if the shutdown is Rabbit Something i think americans recognize this is republicans fighting with each other. Its not even can republicans and democrats get a deal at this point. Well see what happens. At the end of the day, if people dont have what they need, the government is the issue. Max, joe, karen, thank you so much. Coming up, monday night football. Taylor swift goes to kansas city chief games. Usher will be at the super bowl. Fans are going to wild. What it means for the game of football. You know, people always ask me, kevin, what does being the ceo of cashbacking mean to you . It means cashbacking every opportunity. Did you cashback on this . Like i wouldnt cashback . Cashbacking by the basket, i see you. Ugh. I dreamt you didnt cashback this flight. Oh good. If youre buying it, flying it, or wining n dining it, then you gotta be cashbacking it. Come on now. Cashback on everything you buy with Chase Freedom Unlimited with no annual fee. How do you cashback . Chase. Make more of whats yours. Theres a Frenzy Erupting over one taylor swift and swiftys that are cheering on travis kelce. Swift appearing in the family suite, next to mom, donna. This is not about who Tailylor Swift might be dating. After a summer when she raked in the big bucks. And of course, even gave bonuses to the people working. 100,000 worth to each. The Sports Retailer Fanatic said swifts appearance at the game. Her appearance at the game, sparked a 400 spike of sales of travis jerseys. I want to bring in host of entertainment tonight. What a treat to see these lovely ladies on the screen together. Taylor was cheering him on. A lot has been made of her attendance at the game. It was a whole thing. I have to say this tease. I could care less who she is dating. Really . Do we care just a scoatch . You can talk as much as i can. Im fascinated. Just as much as i can. But the Human Condition and the idea of being so closely associated with celebrity, really is fascinating to me. Taylor swift wasnt a mention in football before this. The speculation they could or could not be dating. This was a stunt played out in a gorgeous way. But the idea that people want to be associated or near something that has been blessed, as we see his instagram followers go up of people following him. There was a blog dedicated to swiftys who didnt Pay Attention to this before. And travis kelce is a star in his own right. Her effect is absolutely fascinating to me. I laugh at the man friends and the bromance and its different how girls interact. I hope they are able to pronounce his name, kelce, after the swiftys and kelce. In addition to this, the jersey sales, she is being called upon by a native American Organization called not in our honor, looking at her presence. Looking at the sway she has. And hoping she will have an end to the chiefs tomahawk chop, as well. Could she really have an impact on how people actually participate in the sport now . Taylor swift has never been shy on speaking out about issues, taking about her own power. I dont see why she wouldnt if thats something she believes in. Weve been talking about the taylor swift effect. When she shows up, theres people all over different genres who will say, okay. Lets see if we can get taylor on our side because she is such a spotlight soaker. The swiftys dont play. And they dont. I want to ask you about football. There was a big blowout over the weekend. People are talking about the dolphins scoring 70 points. They had a chance to go for a singlegame record. What did you think about that decision . I felt for them to call mercy at that moment and say, well just leave it here at 70, had to be arguably more humiliating for shawn payton and Russell Wilson and the broncos. He said as much after the game. It is unfortunate that we are watching in realtime the demise of what i thought, if were talking sports and realtime. Russell wilson is a super bowlwinning quarterback. And sean payton is a super bowlwinning coach. Were watching how the game has passed them by so quickly. Whats happening in miami is special. Thats what we saw. Him not going for that extra threepoints, just to show mercy, was a message that said, youre past your time. Thats how i took it. But Russell Wilson didnt give up 70. The defense gave up 70. Thats a failed experiment. Were three weeks into the season. And i know they want to salvage. It was unfortunate that they have that. They had an old, old defense. This is so special. You can attest to that. You know what is special . I hear refresh. I hear special. I think usher. Hell be the Halftime Super Bowl show. Did the whole thing. I cant not get to usher. What are you looking forward to . All of it. All 13 minutes of it. Im looking forward to it. Im excited for the show. I think its going to be great. The only thing that would be great, is if my chiefs yeah, im into this story because im a chiefs fan are back in the super bowl again. Were going to see usher do the hits. He was playing coy today. He cannot do a super bowl Halftime Show without Bringing Out Ludacris and lil john. We may see a Justin Bieber appearance. Usher, he found Justin Bieber when he was 13. Wed like to see madame b. Up on the stage and do a little bad girl. I think youre going to see an amazing show. Usher is a pure entertainer. People sleep on that. People forget. The guy has 18 top ten hits. Nine number one songs and nine grammys. He has a discography that is worthy of a super bowl show. Hes a dancer. If you dont know that already. So nice, again, to see you ladies on the screen tonight. Thank you so much. If he needs backup dancers, the three of us can be available. No, you. I will stand and applaud you all. Ive seen you workout videos. Its all nischelle. I will be there in spirit. Thank you very much. Thank you. Yeah, person. Next, confusion over president bidens vow to walk the pickett line with autoworkers. Thats tomorrows news tonight, coming up. Before we leave you, heres tomorrows news tonight. President Joe Biden Will Travel To Michigan tomorrow and walk the pickett line with members of united autoworkers union. Theres confusion exactly where he will be going and what he will doing when a he gets there. But a source says the uaw is not involved with the former president s visit this wednesday. And the studios and striking writers have reached a tentative agreement. Writers could be back to work in a matter of days. And perhaps late night and talk shows could quickly follow. Thanks for watching, everyone. Our coverage continues