are working to make sure that that happens. it does no good to have an investigation that just gives us more cover, for example. we actually need to find out what we can find out. >> this expanded investigation must still be completed by friday, but this is now twice president trump, a man who prides himself as a fighter, has relented on the kavanaugh confirmation process. is this just a negotiating tactic? the art of the deal, if you will? or a sign of dwindling support for the supreme court nominee? with me now, nbc news intelligence and national security reporter ken delanian. along with msnbc political an cyst susan delpersio. and lanny chen, former policy adviser to the romney campaign and now a research fellow at the hoover institution. ken, first, to you. this expanded investigation, i know you left my show to work on