Principle, President Trump laid out the policies and goals of his administration seeking to end the violent extremism of iran. President trump promised more crippling sanctions against the iranian government that could be implemented as early as to the. He also called on rawsh and china and nato nations to work with the United States to alter irans behavior, urging it to join the community of nations. Today im going to ask nato to become much more involved in the middle east process. Over the last three years under my leadership our economy is stronger than ever before and america achieved Energy Interest even. Our missiles are big, powerful, lethal and fast. Under construction are many hypersonic missiles. The fact that we have this great military and equipment however does not mean we have to use it. We do not want to use it. American strength both it in and economic is the best deterrent. Lou none of our troops were harmed in last nights missile attack. We are learning from defense officials that 16 Ballistic Missiles with up to 2,000pound warheads atop them were fires from three locations, striking two bases housing american troops in iraq. Defense second tear yesterday mark esper and general mark milly said those missiles were designed to attack americans. New satellite images show damage to a number of structures at thalassad air base. And four others failed to reach their targets and the president put much of the blame on his predecessor in the white house. President trump irans hostility increased after the foolish nuclear deal was signed in 2016. They were given 150 billion not to mention 1. 8 billion in cash. Instead of saw thank you to the United States. They chanted death to america. The missiles fired at us and our allies were paid for with the fund made available by the last administration. Lou as President Trump and his Administration Work to change irans international behavior, there still remains the significant threat of shiia proxy militias in iraq. Two rockets were fired into baghdads green zone and the missiles failed to hit any target in the zone. Joining us, brian hook with us tonight, the former advisor to the secretary of state. Its a busy time for you and all of your colleagues in the state department and throughout the administration. First the president s Statement Today saying clearly that under his Administration Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon. But also you offering the iranians i think unexpectedly, it sees to me at least, a generous way to diffuse the moment. Your thoughts on first the reception and secondly what we can expect and what you expect. The president has been very strategic the last four years addressing all th all the threats iran poses to peace and security. Iran is facing its worst financial crisis in its history and the regime is facing its worst political unrest. It appears for now iran is standing down. Thats a good thing. The president would like to respond with diplomacy. Lou the latest developments are that at least two projectiles were fired into the green zone in baghdad from proxy forces in the area. Your reaction to that development and what it means for prospects for diplomacy. I think the last i heard the duck and cover has been lifted in the green zone. But one thing you mentioned, the proxies. Iran has been organizing, training and equipping the shiia proxies for a long time and they have been bombing the military bases that host american forces. One thing the president is not going to allow. He dont let iran get away from the fiction of deniable attacks. If one of irans proxies attacks, iran will be held responsible as a principle actor. It was i doptd september 11 it was adopted september 11, 2018. The president said well not make a distinction between the Iranian Regime and its proxies, especially in iraq who have been attacking our troops, december 27 they killed one american. The president responded with missile strikes in iraq and syria. When they set terrorists loose on our embassy in baghdad, then the strike on Qassem Soleimani. Lou we have assessment from the Defense Department thats at slight variance, if you will, the perspective from the white house, that is mark esper the secretary of defense and general mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs. Suggesting the iranian missiles last night, 16 fired by the iranians, that they were in point of fact trying to kill americans. In fact they did not was not due to any targeting on their part, but rather the deficiencies of the missiles they used. Your thoughts . We defer to secretary esper and his judgments on these things. Iran attacked last night. Its terrific there were no casualties. The president will do everything necessary to protect american lives. We hope iran is standing down. Its important that iran end this escalation. And if they do, there can be a Bright Future for the iranian people. But this regime need to start making better decisions. What are the prospects that they will respond possible toughly, affirmatively to the president s offramp he has given them . President trump and secretary pompeo have put together a terry pike strategy and d put together a strategy and iran only faces bad options. To work on a new deal that is going to replace the failed Iran Nuclear Deal so we can address Irans Nuclear threats, missile threats, the regional address and especially the hostage taking of americans. If the regime is smart they will take the president up on the offer. Lou brian hook, special representative to the secretary of state mike pompeo. Senator mike lee is upset about a closed door briefing on iran and how it went today. Well take that up throughout this broadcast tonight. Also more from special representative brian hook as President Trump pushes for a new level of Cooperation Among nato allies in the middle east. Nato has been supportive of president s decision to protect airman lives and protect american interests. It broadly helps nato and a number of troops in the region. Limu emu doug hour 36 in the stakeout. As soon as the homeowners arrive, well inform them that Liberty Mutual customizes home insurance, so theyll only pay for what they need. Your turn to keep watch, limu. Wake me up if you see anything. [ snoring ] [ loud squawking and siren blaring ] only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. My twin brother jacob has an Autism Spectrum Disorder i remember one moment after being at school all day and i remember him getting into the car just balling. And saying mom, i have no friends why dont i have any friends . It broke my heart. 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Take your business beyond. Some people say thats ridiculous. Age is just an illusion. How you show up for the world, thats whats real. Whats your idea . I put it out there with a godaddy website. Lou another rally on wall street. Stocks higher. The dow up 161 points. The s p 500 up 16. Not a bad beginning to the year. Vol 3. 7 billion shares. Crude oil just over 59 a barrel. Silver down a percent to 18 an ounce. Listen to my reports three times a day coast to coast on the salem radio network. Senator mike lee having something of a snit fit today. He came out in support of tim kaines candle pai campaign t President Trumps military authority. It followed a classified military briefing on iran that lee called the worst he has ever seen. After 75 minutes, while they are in the process of tilling us we shall be of telling us we need to be good little boys and girls and not debate this in public. Lou senator lee who seems to know a lot about not debating things in public still refused to hold a debate on his senate bill, the high skilled immigrants bill, 386. The bill would lead to a major influx of indian h1b visas and to the u. S. Workplace at lower wages. The senator from utah trying to work out a back room deal to pass the bill by unanimous consent, no votes. All in the dark of night. This is the guy talking about public debate. Hes not interested in the National Interests, just corporate interests, and hes not shy about being as hypocritical a senator who sits in the august chamber. The senator is referred to as the senator from mumbai. Nancy pelosi says the house will vote on a war powers resolution tomorrow. The House Speaker says it will limit the president s military action specifically regarding iran. Republican leadership telling our capitol hill correspondent mike emanuel, the resolution is toothless and has no chance of ever becoming law. Joining us tonight, dr. Walid phares, Foreign Policy analyst, and kt mcfarland, former Deputy Foreign security deputy advisor to President Trump. Let me start with this mornings address by the president in which he simultaneously put forward the line that there will be no Nuclear Weapon in the hands of the iranians while hes president , and also offering him i thought a rather generous offramp from the confrontation with the United States and indeed western civilization. He said we are going to impose more sanctions on you regardless. Thats the maximum Pressure Campaign. Keep turning you have the pressure as long as they havent gone the to where we want them to get. I think President Trump hand this deftly. He took the game changer strike against soleimani, and it was a calculated risk but it was one that paid off. Iranian reaction was the mildest they could have done and still salvaged their national dignity. Lou walid, thank you for being with us last night in the heat of the moment. I thank you for your perspective and insight. This is now an Iranian State that has an opportunity to join the community of nations and the president made it clear he will be their foremost facilitator in achieving that goal. But he will also be absolutely their greatest opponent should they seek Nuclear Weapons and should they not understand their days of using proxies and direct sponsorship much terrorism are at an end. You know, in this press conference today, the president s position of the United States in a more strategic position than it has been in the last 89 years. And he called on nato to be part of these efforts. Iran is threatening international waterways, its backing terrorism. Itits oppressing its own peop. And people of other countries. That call on nato top put pressure on key players, and he was bold enough to ask russia and china, let go of this regime. If russia and china want to function better in the international community, they need to be working with us to make sure the Iranian Regime is not developing Nuclear Power and spreading the military throughout the region. Lou kt, you said the president was deft in handling this. Hes reaching out to nato, russia and china. It will be interesting to see how they respond. He has an turn the he created he has an opportunity that he created to advance relations with china and russia. Simultaneously changing the behavior and direction of iran in the middle east. When trump came into office and even before, what he said, he said he wanted a different relationship with everybody. He wanted to reverse the neocons preoccupation with the middle east. He wanted to focus on china. And he wanted to change the focus of the United States to china. I think the initial plan he had was if there could be some kind of relationship with russia and china, it would forestall our greatest fear that russians and chinese would get together. Lou which they are working toward, carrying out military exercises simultaneously. Work together to confront the United States. Walid, give us your sense as to what will be the reaction of the iranians. Two rockets fired into the green zonal today but did not strike targets again. Where are we headed in the days and weeks ahead . The Iranian Regime behavior since the khomeini is very, very telling. Number one they are shooting against our bases. They have a big division inside their ranks. They dont know what to do. There is a Firm Administration to respond. And if they dont, the demonstrations will continue against them. Two weeks from now when the soleimani haze is gone, the iran and iranian people are going to be as squeeze as they were before. And i think they will take to the streets again. Lou kt who was work on the maximum Pressure Campaign for the Trump Administration knows precisely where she speaks on that as well as everything else. Walid, you get the last word if you wish it. For history we are happy with the president making a point about the iran deal. He made it very clear. And it was clear on the ground that iran provided 150 billion. The iran regime bought the weapons and they used them against us. Thats the most important point in my view in this press conference. Lou the causal chain that led to this moment in history. He was professor trump today as well. Thank you as always, professor walid and kt mcfarland. We would like to hear from you. Share your comments and twitter and facebook. President trump tens of thousands of isis fighters have been killed or captured during my administration. Isis is a natural enemy of iran. The destruction of isis is good for iran. And we should Work Together on this and other shared priorities. Lou congressman doug collins joins us after these quick messages. Vision loss is not something that you feel until it happens. Most people lose their vision from diseases like Macular Degeneration and glaucoma, not at birth. Three million americans have glaucoma and half dont even know it. Eleven Million People in the United States have Macular Degeneration. So many eye disorders can be treated if caught early. Make a plan today to get your eyes checked. Visit brightfocus. Org to learn more. [ ] lou senate democrats, some of them are starting to express frustration with pelosis decision to showed two sham articles of impeachment against President Trump in the house and not move them ahead to the senate for disposition. Senator Dianne Feinstein is quoted as saying, quote, the longer it goes on, the less urgent it becomes. If its urgent and serious, send them over. If it isnt, dont send it over. Very straightforward from one of the leading democrats. Joining us to take all of this and more up and keep in perspective what this president is contending with at the same time hes leading this nation in National Security confrontations is doug collins. The Ranking Member of the house judiciary committee. Congressman, its great to see you. Your reaction to the president s handling of the iranian confrontation. Look, this is what a president looks like today. A resolute determined president. What he did was put a firm focus on iran, you are on notice. You want to continue to act like you are out of step with the rest of the world and you dont want to be participatory. Well take action when need be. But opens the door saying if you want peace, we are ready for peace. As reagan would say, you can never have true peace without strength. With the restraint with the t he has shown with iran, it shows what this country voted for and he follows it all the time. Lou this president has drawn a vivid connection for everyone paying attention between the importance of a strong, growing economy, even soaring stock markets. An economy thats healthy and millions of people who had no jobs now have them. The strength of our economy directly connected to the strength of this nation and its National Security to which this president has focused get energy and his personal philosophy that is paying off in billing, big terms. This is amazing. Basically for the last three years the democrats have been trying to do one thing. Overturn the 2016 election. This is hypocrisy at its finest. When he shows up like he did today. When you talk about the things you just talked about. Thats why americans are going to reelect him. What a refreshing take for a president of the you United States. Lou that take is for success. This president has through it all, the effort of the radical dimms to try to overthrow this president. An ongoing effort through three years of his presidency without respite or relief. Its an attempt to subvert a president of the United States to literally overthrow him. Yet he stands today at the center of the world stage, leading as i think every american would pray their president would lead. Meanwhile the democrats are tomorrow talking about constraining his authorities as the commanderinchief, visavis iraq. How venal, now vapid can one party become . It wasnt so sad and serious to have in i didnt think she could become more hypocritical than she was in impeachment, but prize prize, she does it again. They mourn soleimani more than they mourn our gold star families who suffered under soleimani. In 2007 when president obama went into libya and stayed longer tharnl they thought he should stay. She said thats what president s do. This is a blatant hypocritical act by nancy pelosi and the democrats because they dont like the president. What does it say to the rest of the world . When you have a president who stands up and says we are going to be the voice of reason. Soleimani was a terrorist, someone who killed other people indiscriminately. She is want to go say i am not sure we did it in the right way. He should have been killed a long time ago. The president took him out. Lou there is a Republican Party which has stood unified, and today mike lee calls his briefing on National Security on the president s actions on soleimani and iran. He starts complaining about the briefing itself, congressman. What in the world you were briefed. By the top officials of National Security, the secretary of state. Your reaction . We just disagree on this. I think th i think the briefg said what should be said. There are always opportunities to read the reports the cia and others put forth. The purpose for the brief today was not to go into every minute detail, to say there were, to say heres why we did it, here are the reasons we did it. And they did so in a good way. Lou who the hell do they think soleimani was . He was a vicious absolute terrorist. He did not change, and he was plotting to kill more americans. It should be straightforward even for the senator from mumbai as hes called on twitter, mike lee. Congressman doug collins, its always great to see you. Lou immigration enforcement. The rise of sex traffic at our the rise of sex traffic at our southern border. I want some more whats he doin . But, he cant look at him its just not done please sir. I want some more more . More . More . More . Please sir he has asked for. Thank you what . Well he did say please sir yes he did and, thank you yeah. And thank you hes a wonderful boy laugh a delightful boy all boys thank you, thank you, thank you. [voice of Eunice Kennedy shriver] the right to play on any Playing Field . You have earned it. The right to hold a job . You have earned it. The right to study in any school . You have earned it. The days of separation and segregation are over. [cheering. ] lou among the stories we are covering tonight, more sanctions against iran, President Trump announcing new economic sanctions will be placed on iran until the regime changes its conduct, those sanctions could go into place as early as tomorrow. The president calling on nato to take more action. Democrats voicing their frustration and i know how deeply concerned we are with democratic frustration. Senate democrats are starting to call on Speaker Pelosi to end letter delay across particular with socalled sham articles of impeachment. Send them over to the senate or forget the whole thing. Three Illegal Immigrants were rescued after they got stuck on the new southern border wall in san diego. Border agents said they got up the 30foot high barrier, but they couldnt get down. Firefighters had to bring a ladder to rescue them. From there we dont know what happened, presumably they were sent back where they came from. Our next guest is the host of a new show on foxnation. Lara logan has no agenda. It consists of 16 episodes including a look into the drug a tells in mexico the drug cartels in mexico and our crisis on the southern border. Congratulations on the new show. You spent considerable time in the middle east and iraq. But i want to turn first to the foxnation show. Give us a sense of what you are focusing on, what has been your reaction to what you found in your reporting someone thing i was most surprised about spending time on the border and speaking to people on both sides, i asked who is control of the southern border. No one ever said the u. S. Wouldnt you expect that . If the answer is the cartels control it on the mexican and american side, how is that possible . So as a reporter you begin this journey of curiosity. The drug cartels of old have transformed and they are amongst the most powerful organizations in the world. What is perhaps most striking is they are global. Someone buying cocaine on the streets of moscow or europe and africa, they are buying it from the mexican cartels. So its impossible to understand whats happening on the border. If you dont go to the heart of where the power lies and why people are crossing and where they are crossing and when they cross, and who makes those decisions. There is such a my. The reality is as you found that that corruption is on both sides of the border. And the control certainly rests with the cartels. Not the u. S. Government, certainly not the mexican government. One of the most striking numbers i have seen is that 80 of mexico is either influenced or actually under the control of the drug cartels. That should be chilling to every american. They are not drug cartels anymore. They are global organized crime syndicates who carry out the most extreme form of violence you will see anywhere in the world. Its not enough just to behead people. They have videos where they take sledge hammers and obliterate their skulls. The extreme rate at which women are being murdered and disappeared in mexico. Lou they have been literally for decades. We are just now awakening to what is going on. The murder right in mexico is greater than any combat zone including iraq, afghanistan, anywhere in the world. There are people and i spoke to a former captain with the texas public safety. It only exists in texas. He ran the crossborder operations. What he said is what he calls the trip wires and triggers, jay stop jones. And he can map out transformation of the cartels for you. They have military training cams and they mount operations with. 50 caliber machine guns. Lou i just call them drug cartels that are now international. I have not talked to him since the president deferred to calling them terrorist organizations. I talked to jason jones after that and he was gut. He gave up his career and literally goes the length and breadth of this country to talk to policemen see they know what they are dealing with. Lou when you are watching lara logan on foxnation, she has no agenda. Just the facts, maam. You spent far too long a time in the middle east to ignore your expertise. Your thoughts about iran and listening to senators like mike lee. Its pathetic to hear a u. S. Senator suggest that the United States government did wrong when killing a terrorist. The Constitutional Authority of the president is clear. The National Interest is clear. My god, what are we dealing with here . Senator mike lee, when the Obama Association aas nate assassinated alawlaki. Why do we hear nothing from mike lee and other senators at that time. Thats what i question as a journalist. I look for consistency and inconsistency. I look for motivation. Lou the swamp is a horrible place to look for more consistency. Accountability. Where is the accountability for all of these statements . If you are going to challenge the president s Legal Authority to act, tell us the law thats been broken. Tell me what that law is so i can look it up and see if thats a valid argument or not. Lou i think mike lee stands as an avatar for all in washington, the senate and the house, who are questioning this president and his judgment in Foreign Policy when he has done more in three years and achieved more success than any president in the first three years of this presidency. Its remarkable there would even be an issue over soleimani who is what he is. He was a vicious, vile terrorist. Remember when iranians posing as american soldiers went into a base and killed a american and two four americans with them. They executed those four as they fled. That was a sophisticated operation that the u. S. Government said was carried out with training from the Lebanese Hezbollah because they did a similar operation against israelis. Where were those voices when Qassem Soleimani was orchestrating those attacks. Where were they then . Lou a great question. Catch all of lara logans reporting on foxnation. Before we go to break, we would like to recommend kt mcfarlands new book. Its available for preorder, revolution, trump washington and we the people. I will always be ready. For every storm. And disaster that threatens my community. I will always be there to protect my neighbors. And my country. We are the Army National guard. Visit nationalguard. Com to learn more about parttime service. The anticipation. The 15 seconds of fame. The big catch. But the most important moment, happens when we all stand together. Join us as we stand up to show our support for loved ones affected by cancer. Visit standuptocancer. Org mlb stand up with us. Lou joining us is lee smith, author and senior fellow at the hudson institute. Author of the plot against the president. The true story of how congressman devin nunes uncovered the biggest political scandal in u. S. History. Congratulations on the book. I want to cover so many things with you. But amongst the things that you focus on, which is devon anyones. People for some reason underestimated everything he was achieving. He stepped aside on the intelligence committee. But what he did was the greatest National Service of any congressman in recent memory. I agree entirely. This is one of the things that made the story so appealing to me and so appealing to readers. The book had a tremendous amount of success owing to everyone who wanted to know what congressman nunes and his team did. Lou to think that this scandal is its unfolding before us, i believe, without question, bill barr, the attorney general, is absolutely sincere and invest in an outcome that holds the s. O. B. S to account. But its taking a hell of a long time. There is that. And Something Else that concerns me. Its as though we are playing catchup. While i believe the attorney general and southern john durham are looking at the bad guys. They rolled this operation into impeachment. Ment we are seeing bad behavior from some of the same bad actors and the same agencies. We need to get out of this and stop the swamp from dragging americans who are sent to bring the country down. Lou when you say rolling into impeachment what do you mean . If you look at the russia gate operation that targeted President Trump. A tremendous am of it has to do with ukraine were. The different dirt that came from ukrainian figures and activists that was attacking the trump campaign. That was trouble. Lou do you think well get to the bottom of the democratic party, the Clinton Campaign and the corrupt officials of the department of justice and the fbi have done to this country . I think we are getting to the bottom of it. And thats part of what congressman nunes has done. Lou well talk about whats happening in iraq, iran and the middle east. Well be right limu emu doug and now for their service to the community, we present limu emu doug with this key to the city. [ applause ] its an honor to tell you that Liberty Mutual customizes your Car Insurance so you only pay for what you need. And now we need to get back to work. [ applause and band playing ] only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. [thrift shop instrumental by macklemo e and ryan lewis] music time and time again, you know when im doing street magic. Ill walk up to someone and i can just see theyre against me right . They dont want to be amazed. They dont want this experience to happen. But then the magic happens. Can we be there . And all of that falls away. Oh, just think of the time i know that some will say come on man it matters a little babe. Stunned. I believe in magic. Its the experience of waking up and seeing things the way you saw them before they became ordinary. I needed to try amazement laughter i needed to fall thats the goal. Im looking for that experience of wonder. I need never get old lou we are back with lee smith, author of the terrific book, the plot against the president , there it is. Lee, congratulations on the great book. I want to turn quickly to iran and the president s handling of the confrontation, the recalcitrant swamp and the iranians. I think its impressive. I have written a couple pieces about the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Its phenomenal. It changed the game the way u. S. President s have dealt with iranians in decades. Lou this president is historic foremany reasons. But d more many reasons. But his generous offer of an exit from terror to the iranians. I want him to go harder. Make the iranians feel more pain. Lou with lauren it is 5 00 a. M. Here are your top stories at this hour. The u. S. Military says iranian missiles launched at american troops were meant to you cause major damage and end lives with President Trump vowing to deescalate tensions with tehran. Nancy pelosi is pushing forward with todays vote to limit white house war powers. Cheryl despite the attack on u. S. Soldiers, investors shrugged it all off, the nasdaq hitting a you ne a new record ao trade deals are about to be signed. Should we be celebrating . Lauren americans pick their favorite morning musthave. Is it coffee or