Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom With John Berman And Poppy Harlow 20171127

Misconduct. It is deadline day for Jared Kushner to hand over documents to the Senate Judiciary committee. And we have no idea how members of congress will react to this, the news of the royal wedding. These are live pictures from Kensington Palace, we await prince harry and megyn markle, making their first appearance here at Kensington Palace. This is why we fought the revolution. We will go back to that the moment it happens. We begin at the agency that was born as part of the great recession. Jessica snyder is live from washington. Reporter john berman, you can see the protesters assembled outside. Inside could be a showdown looming. Nick mulvaney is inside, he assumed the position of acting director. He arrived this morning shortly after 7 00 a. M. We understand from a white house official, he has been given full access to the Directors Office and receiving as they say full cooperation from his staff, he even arrived with donuts for the new employees. Turns out that Leandra English is also inside. She was deputy director. Friday, she was named as acting director, when the former director actually resigned. Theyre both inside now. It does seem that Nick Mulvaney has assumed his position. Leandra english, however, filed a late night lawsuit last night saying the law that created this agency, doddfrank, that it actually lays out how exactly the protocol should be when a new acting director is named. She says she is it and that the president does not have the power to name his own pick. But this isnt only a legal fight, it is a political battle. Nick mulvaney has been widely outspoken against the bureau that he is now taking the reigns of. Jessica, we are going to jump in here as you talk about tax cuts, taxation without representation, the cause of the american revolution. Thats the backdrop as we see prince harry, meghan markle. This is the first chance to see them. Shes an american actress, know her from the show suits. They were engaged. Heres the first look at the engagement ring. We were told it was possible that diamond was taken from the collection of his mother diana. Lets listen in to see if they say anything. A brief glimpse. Meghan markle, 36 years old, prince harry, 33 years old. Any time they decide to spend their life together, it is a moment to rejoice. Given the fact theyre part of the royal family will be cause for greater attention. We will watch them walk out through the sunken garden. They will live at Kensington Palace, nottingham cottage there. Erin mclaughlin has the latest on the details of the engagement. Reporter didnt they look so happy. Meghan markle looked radiant in that white coat, beautiful diamond ring. Were waiting to get details as to where the ring came from. There was speculation in the build up that might be from princess dianas collection. Were waiting for details. Announcement was made by Kensington Palace earlier today in the form of a statement as well as tweets befitting of 2017, modern day royal engagement. We heard congratulations from members of the royal family, Prince Charles and camilla saying theyre absolutely thrilled. It is also understood that prince harry asked her parents for their permission. And her parents released a statement of their own saying we are incredibly happy for meghan and harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with harry that shares the same qualities is a source of great joy for us. We heard from william and kate, saying were excited for harry. It has been wonderful getting to know meghan and to see how happy she and harry are together. The queen as well said to be delighted by the engagement. All eyes on this couple going forward. Now turning to the wedding. We understand the wedding will be in spring of 2018 and details are to be forthcoming according to the Kensington Palace statement. Lots ahead. Erin mclaughlin in london. Thank you very much. We will stay on top of this story. Good to see an american rising through the ranks over there. Congress gets back to work with a monumental task, maybe five or six tasks, the Government Shutdown, funding Childrens Health care, renewing a key surveillance program. Joining us live to go through this, suzanne malveaux. Reporter good morning, john. Theres a lot happening this week. This is a critical time for the president as well as republicans. The president looking to get something done, some major legislative accomplishment before end of the year, promising tax reform plan will be pushed through by christmas break. We will see. First and foremost, the president will be engajged, meeting with the finance committee, very important, sitting down with orrin hatch, he is counting onto usher this through. Tomorrow on capitol hill, third time in as many weeks to make this case directly, sitting down with Senate Republicans over their weekly lunch to move this forward. We saw this strategy on the house side, a similar strategy on the senate side. We will see if that works. What is critical and different in this case is the window. They only republicans can afford to lose two votes to make it happen on the senate side. Thats a narrow window. Do they have the votes yet, they dont have the votes for that majority to pass. They cannot afford to lose any more. Here are folks on the sidelines, if not having major concerns, even possible nos. Senators ron johnson, steve gains. So far they have been outspoken nos. Theyre looking to help small businesses. They see a lot of big tax breaks for corporations. They want more for small businesses. How will they do that. Want to help companies file individual income tax as pass throughs. Current senate bill, they can deduct 17. 4 of income. That could go up a bit. Thats what theyre hoping. Maybe a negotiating point there. Then senator sugs asan collins, has spoken out against repealing the obamacare mandate, thats one of the concerns. The other thing, she wants to allow 10,000 in local property Tax Deductions from taxable income. What we see is that provision is in the house version, not necessarily the Current Senate bill. We think from sources that that could be a line. Jeff flake, john mccain, and bob corker. These all untethered, unencumbered by reelection campaigns, very outspoken critics of the president. What theyre putting forward is theyre most concerned about the federal deficit. Late latest cbo score puts it under 1. 5 trillion over ten years. Thats what has to happen for this to go through for reconciliation process, simple majority pass in the senate. Cant go over 1. 5 trillion mark. Thats what theyre looking at. So far, economic analysts say theres no credible evidence that tax cuts lead to economic growth. Thats been a case that some republicans are trying to make. These senators want to see proof behind it. Finally, john, senators James Langford and moran, looking at the deficit side and looking at repealing the mandate in obamacare and how much that would mean in terms of not having health insurance. The latest analysis showing perhaps 13 million more people uninsured over ten years, if in fact thats part of the bill. Lots of work to be done on both sides. Busy to say the least. Suzanne malveaux, thank you very much. Molly, i want to start with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and who is running it this morning. The answer is we dont know. We just dont know. The president appointed Nick Mulvaney, the Current Deputy director thinks shes running the place, sued for such a thing. This is how the framers of the constitution envisioned it, isnt it. Sort of high noon scenario. As you mentioned before, this is an ideological battle as much as it is bureaucratic or personnel. This isnt just two people that want to sit in the chair, sit in that big office. This is an agency thats been embattled, highly partisan. Created as Watchdog Agency to keep an eye on big banks, pay day lenders, and former head of it was put there in part because republicans wouldnt agree to confirm Elizabeth Warren to it. You have Nick Mulvaney who said many times he doesnt think this agency should exist. Putting him there is an attempt to reorient the agency, change its direction, and outgoing director appointment was attempt to protect what he saw as the prerogatives of the agency, keep it going in a more progressive direction, and the direction Richard Cordray would have intended. This is about the politics of regulation and politics of taking on the banks. I think thats right. Eventually the white house will win here, eventually the president will get his pick to run the agency when he does nominate someone permanent and the Senate Confirms it. But it is a battle over consumer protection. Thats right. Youre exactly right. It is not if, it is when theyre going to defang, declaw, dis disembowel the agency. It is precisely why it is supposed to be insulated from political influences now raining on it. This looks at pay day lenders, pawn shops, small lenders, big lenders. It created a new environment for banking institutions, returned billions back to consumers. If theres a popular outcry about this, then most of the democratic strategy should be fired. This is a big deal. It is a talking point across the aisle, that basically nobody went to jail after the financial crisis of ten years ago. You dont have to send people to jail, but you have to make sure they dont repeat some abuses from the past. This agency is the only thing standing between consumers and a lot of abuses. Strikes me that the democrats have chosen to fight this battle which ultimately they will lose, ultimately the president will get someone he wants to run it, whether it is today or two months from now, we dont know. You have this fight where the democrats feel it is worth dying on this hill. Add it to tax reform, to the Government Shutdown, to the dreamers issue that will come up this month. We have 30 days, 12 of which congress will be working, where they fight each and every day over each and every issue. Yes. And i would just add to the question over the cfpb, their own general counsel issued a memo saying that the president , this is his purview, he gets to appoint the acting director, the senate will have to confirm, give advice and consent to full time director. I think donald trump is right on this one. I think that democrats are playing politics. John, youre right. Theres a lot to do, not a lot of time to do it. I think we could expect the bare minimum to get done. Politically speaking, republicans believe tax reform has to pass, at least pass the senate. Thats probably the one legislative area i think that theyll maybe get something done. Otherwise, it is just doing things that have to be done. For example, keeping the government open. I expect we will see a short Term Extension to take care of spending. But theres not a lot of time to get anything done. Molly, excuse me, choking up here, we put up that list of senators who have various forms of opposition on the tax cut. Three that influence me, corker, flake, mccain that have shown personal problem with the president now as much as anything legislative. What are chances that any of those three senators oppose tax reform just because the president supports it. I dont think any of them would do that. From what i understand about their questions about the president and his character and temperament, theyre not motivated by personal spite, and i dont think they would do something to spite the president. However, theyre not inclined to do him any favors either. If they have any policy reservations about this, if they have any qualms with the bill itself, which as you mention, a lot of senators do for various reasons, various objections on all fronts on this bill, it is sort of embattled. I think what youll see from senators like corker and flake and mccain is that if they dont like something in the bill, you know, they may want to help out their team, may want to help out Mitch Mcconnell and the republican caucus, but theyre not going to vote for it to help the president. Theres a Huge Development that happened over the thanksgiving break in the russian investigation. We learned Michael Flynns lawyers essentially told the president s lawyers they will no longer work together. We are not lawyers the two of us, but that has to mean at a certain level that Michael Flynn is at a minimum in discussions with special counsel. Thats what the consensus is, thats what those actions would lead you to believe, at a minimum his interest, legal interests are diverging from the rest of the team. This is bad news for the white house. He was one of the most high profile. You could say pop dop lus wasnt a big player, manafort was under indictment but went away. This is after inauguration. After the president said dont hire this man. After the acting attorney general said theres a serious problem here, somebody whose own lawyers said he has a story to tell, he would love to tell it if he could get immunity. He was trying to make a deal months ago. This is further confirmation he is trying to do so. The president responded in general terms to this over the weekend. Let me read what he wrote. Since the first day i took office, you hear the excuse for losing the election, russia, russia, russia. I think the most creative response, to say Marsha Marsha marsha, the president is jan brady. Not asking you to comment on the brady bunch. The president continues to say russia is nonsense even as there are signs the situation is getting deeper and deeper. I understand the administration. If you told me that republicans would control everything, they would get Supreme Court pick that seems to be great, the economy would be doing quite well, the stock market soaring, we wouldnt be at least not bogged down in iraq or some foreign misadventure, i would say 2017 must be amazing. And actually seems horrible, like a bad year. Donald trump contributed to some of that perception. I understand his frustration. The problem is that if in fact, yet to be proven, if in fact the Trump Administration conspired, callus colluded on the election, doesnt matter how good the economy is doing, that would be a damning event. Thats a high bar. Even if his former Campaign Chair is found guilty, if Michael Flynn is in any legal peril, that would be a big deal. Great to have you with us. Thank you all. Didnt get to ask about the royal wedding. Clearly the most important issue today. Also, senator al franken says he is embarrassed and ashamed about Sexual Misconduct allegations. Today he is back to work. Also. Remember this. You can do anything. Grab them by the [bleep]. President trump is now reportedly questioning whether this tape is real. He is doing that as he continues to support the Alabama Senate candidate accused of child molestation. Today could be the Biggest Online shopping day in u. S. History. How will you celebrate. What will you buy the royal couple. Stay with us. For great skin, you dont have to go to a spa. Just go to bed. Aveeno® positively radiant® overnight facial. Get the benefits of a spa facial. Overnight. Aveeno®. Naturally beautiful results® aveeno®. Hi dad. No. Edont try to get up. Hi, im julie, a right at home caregiver. And if id been caring for toms dad, i would have noticed some dizziness that could lead to balance issues. Thats because im trained to report any changes in behavior, no matter how small, so tom could have peace of mind. Well be right there. We have to go. Hey, tom. You should try right at home. Theyre great for us. The right care. Right at home. Another day at the office. Why do you put up with it . Believe it or not you actually like what you do. Even love it. And today, you can do things you never could before. Youre working in millions of places at once with iot sensors. Analyzing social data on the cloud to create new designs. And using blockchain to help prevent fraud. So get back to it and do the best work of your life. We are watching capitol hill, awaiting return of al franken and democrat, john conyers. He says he is stepping down as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee as he faces ethics investigation for Sexual Harassment and workplace abuse. He has new defenders, a dozen women, former aides come forward writing a letter in support of the congressman, and in a controversial interview, nancy pelosi had this to say. We are strengthened by due process. Just because someone is accused, is it one accusation, is it two, john conyers is an icon in our country. He has done a great deal to protect women. National politics for mj lee joins us. Give us the latest on john conyers. Reporter john, whats happening is that democrats are reeling from the fresh Sexual Harassment allegations against congressman john conyers, the longest serving member of the house. But the congressman is defiant. He said in a statement he denies the allegations and looks forward to vindicating his name, but made the important announcement he will be stepping down for now as Ranking Member of the judiciary committee, obviously a prominent, powerful role in that house committee. And this is a tough controversy for Democratic Leaders to handle. We saw there nancy pelosi, House Democratic leader, saying in that interview on meet the press that she sees him as an iconic leader, important member who has been here a long time, has done a lot of good for the democratic party, and getting a little heat for that. Thats probably why a little after that interview aired, she released a statement, using a different tone. She started that statement saying zero tolerance means consequences. And senior democratic aide telling me this morning that this has been a very difficult process for nancy pelosi to handle, in part because of dynamics within the congressional black caucus, which congress is a member of. Some members feel like over the years have been unfairly targeted, and there are raw feelings among members about how the ethics process played out in the past, how they predict may play out for congressman conyers. As the investigation goes forward, this is potentially a process that could take months and months and already youre seeing tensions build up among democrats within the democratic party. Meantime, i think youre outside al frankens office, waiting to see if and when he rurn returned. Whats the latest, he apologized in minnesota, now coming to washington i think to do the same. Reporter right. Senator franken has largely stayed out of the public eye since the new allegations surfaced against him. He has hunkered down over thanksgiving recess, he said he has been reflecting on some of the allegations that have come up, and spending time with friends and family. Youre right, he is going to return to work today. The senate gavels in later this afternoon. He did a number of local interviews in minnesota yesterday, saying he has no intention of resigning. But he was also frank about how he has been dealing with allegations, saying he has been embarrassed, ashamed to see these stories come to light. Heres a little of what he told Minnesota Public Radio yesterday. What matters is that i am ashamed of that photo, she didnt have any ability to consent, she had every right to feel violated by that photo. I have apologized to her and i was very grateful that she accepted my apology. As you know, john franken said he plans to fully cooperate with the investigation, that he believes this is the appropriate course of action. This is going to be a long road for senator franken as well. Made clear he couldnt guarantee more women wouldnt come forward in coming days. Mj, thanks so much. Remember these words from president trump, i said it, it was wrong, i apologize. He has said that after he accepted responsibility for the access Hollywood Tape. Now in really a remarkable about face, he is reportedly questioning whether the tape is real. Stay with us. [narrator] imagine a shirt that actually makes you feel better. Introducing tommie coppers all new shoulder centric posture shirt. Theyre biggest breakthrough yet. Advanced engineering promotes Healthy Posture and relief for achy shoulders and back. Visit tommiecopper. Com to see the entire line of wearable wellness compression. They have you covered from head to toe. Go to tommiecopper. Com right now and find out how you can save 25 on your first purchase, plus first shipping. Life hurts, feel better. We thats why at xfinityic. Weve been working hard to simplify your experiences with us. Now with instant text and email updates youll always be up to date. You can easily add premium channels so you dont miss your favorite show. And with just a single word, find all the answers youre looking for. Because getting what you need should be simple, fast, and easy. Download the xfinity my account app or go online today. New this morning. Battles over tax cuts of Government Shutdown. The president has his hands in all of this and has his hands in the russian investigation. By hands, i mean literally, seriously, he is writing about all of it on twitter. Wrote since the first day i took office, all you hear is the phony democratic excuse for losing the election. Russia russia russia. And goes on to talk about the economy and his accomplishments. Joe johns is at the white house. Reporter good morning, john. The president also tweeting this morning about the tax bill he would like to see get through congress and on his desk before end of the year, important to him because it would be a signature achievement during the first year in office because if you look at the president s tweet, clearly the facts contradict that the president accomplished more in the ten months than any other president during the same time period, the administration has not been able to get through a tax bill, has not been able to get through repeal and replace of obamacare. Its also true a number of other president s had quite a few accomplishments, notably harry truman and Franklin Delano roosevelt. So theres that. Another tweet from the president yesterday catching the eye of the public that has to do with the Alabama Senate race. Lets look at it. The last thing we need in alabama and the u. S. Senate is a schumer, pelosi puppet weak on crime, weak on the border, bad for our military and great vets, bad for the second amendment. And raises taxes to the sky. That points out that the president is very interested in that race. He has said he would tell us more about whether he will actively participate in campaigning for roy moore who was a republican nominee in a lot of trouble in alabama because of his contacts with women. So the question is whether the president is going to campaign for him. We are expecting to hear more this week from the president on whether he is going to do that, and we will go from there. Back to you. Joe johns at the white house. Thank you. In justifying support of roy moore, the president seems to be denying not just accusations against moore but some of his own past as well. Remember the access Hollywood Tape . You can do anything. Grab them by the [bleep]. You can do anything. The president is reportedly questioning whether the tape is real, even though he has admitted that it is real. Anyone who knows me knows these words dont reflect who i am. I said it, i was wrong, and i apologize. Alex burn, he was part of the story that broke this astounding fact, that he is questioning whether the access Hollywood Tape is real. Has to do with the roy moore story. More on that in a second. Explain what he is doing. Youre right, it is connected to the roy moore story but broader, and gets to his underlying view of claims against him and of Sexual Harassment and assault claims. A comment he has made a number of times to folks in the white house. Including one republican senator essentially saying in passing that access Hollywood Tape, were not sure that thats legitimate. The folks who had those conversations with him have not challenged him on that, pressed him on it. Found it uncomfortable, they tried to move on. He admitted it was his voice on the tape. It is a real tape. These people just say this is the president saying something not true and move on . I think people see it as consistent with the president s habit. I think we can call it that, of trying to go back to points in recent and not so recent past where he has faced setbacks, had to apologize, back down, try to relitigate those, rewrite history to his own advantage. What does this have to do with roy moore and his decision to go all in supporting him without using his name. All in against doug jones. Everybody can do the math what it does for the race. Our reporting indicates that Senate Majority leader begged the president to stay out of that race, begged him to get involved to push moore out, begged him once he declined to at least not intervene in favor of moore. The president blew off those questions and told Mitch Mcconnell he is not sure. Thats striking when you have every republican saying they believe moores accusers and he should stand down. Break with his own daughter as well. How did her statement saying i believe these accusers factor into his decision . Ivanka trump, if doug jones wins the race, he may have ivanka to thank for it. He is running ads showing her quote theres a special place in hell for people that abuse and prey on children. When the president found out she said that before he had a chance to weigh in on the race and decide how he wanted the administration to handle it, his reaction was frustration, disbelief. Turned to people around him, can you believe she just did this. He is not the only one having political difficulties, language he is choosing on Sexual Misconduct claims. Nancy pelosi did an interview, played some of it before on meet the press, called john conyers an icon and questioned whether or not she believed the accusations against him because they were unnamed, didnt know if it was one or two. I would say the language she chose is concerning to democrats that i heard from. Certainly is. Democrats in washington and outside washington feel like the party has the high ground on these issues. Maybe had. In contrast to donald trump or roy moore, this is opportunity to get out there, be on the right side of this. They feel that Nancy Pelosis comments, seemed like she was easing him to the side, lacked the moral clarity. Moore supportsers, do they watch this and i dont know that moore supporters are looking from nancy pelosi for queues what to take seriously. But to the extent that folks in alabama look for some permission slip fo sto say they all do it,h parties corrupt on matters of sex and abuse, conceivably Nancy Pelosis comments are probably not helpful to democrats. Thank you for that reporting. Appreciate it. Working or shopping . Hard to tell what coworkers are doing today. I will be shopping. Sign cyber monday expected to set records. Stay with us. 9 out of 10 u. S. Olympians grew up drinking milk. Its got natural protein and balanced nutrition to help your kids grow strong and milk life. [burke] abstract accident. Seen videoit. Covered it. C we know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum at tmobile, when you holiday together, great things come in twos. Like tmobile and netflix. Right now when you get an unlimited family plan, netflix is included. Ho ho ho tmobile covers your netflix subscription. Best Christmas Gift ever . So you can binge watch all year long. Now youre thinking christmas and now when you buy any of this seasons hot new Samsung Galaxy phones, you get a second one free to gift. Thats one samsung for you. And one to give. Tmobile. Holiday twogether. If youre not done with holiday shopping, do not fret. Cyber monday is here. 164 million americans are expected to go for online deals. Digital sales hit record numbers friday. In a way cyber monday began friday, go figure. Sales today to be even bigger. Chief Business Correspondent Christine Romans is here with details. Theyre breaking records. The American Consumer feels empowered to spend money, using phone, tablet and computers to do it. We see online sales surpassing sales in the store. Cyber monday. 6. 6 billion, spend it all in one place. Up to 16. 5 from last year. If you look at how the days break out, thanksgiving was about 3 billion, black friday, record 5 billion, and theres todays expectation. We have never seen, if you spend 6. 5 billion, that will be a record for one day sales. I cant spend 6. 5 billion. I like to spread it over two days. You look at the inbox, youre probably flooded with ads. I have been doing research. Especially foray par he will, if it is not 50 off, wait. There will be more sales. Retail environment is so tough these days, they need your money. Talk to me about that. Some of the big stores are really suffering. They have been hemorrhaging money. This could be do or die. This is the amazon effect. Look at amazon shares, above 1200 first time in history, stock is. It is doing so well. It changed how we shop. That put pressure on retailers like toys r us, j. Crew, down the line. A lot of stores are fighting for survival. Toys r us is in bankruptcy to be honest. Youre seeing traditional retailers try to come up with their own strategies. Walmart spent a ton of money, doing well in the Digital Space against amazon. I think with all online sales, amazon is 43 of online sales. All those retailers didnt get in the game well enough are in trouble. Foot traffic down, 2 . Days of us covering black friday and cyber monday, of covering the holidays with the scrum at the front of walmart, people are in a fist fight over a flatscreen tv, i think those days are over. We will miss it. I wont miss it. You have three days to get me a present. Thank you very much. She doesnt buy me anything. President trump asked to be time man of the year, but said no thanks. Time says thats not the story by a long shot. Brian stelter joins us with the truth next. [ click ] [ keyboard clacking ] [ clacking continues ] good questions lead to good answers. Our advisors can help you find both. Talk to one today and see why were bullish on the future. Yours. Talk to one today and see why were bullish on the future. [vo] quickbooks introduces he teaches lessons to stanley. And thats kind of it right now. But rodney knew just what to do. He got quickbooks. It organizes all his accounts, so he knows where he stands in an instant. Ahhh. Thats a profit. Which gave him the idea to spend a little cash on some brilliant marketing ha, clever. Wow, look at all these new students way to grow, rodney know where you stand instantly. Save up to 70 off for 6 months at quickbooksdotcom. Lets get the big guy in place. The ford year end sales event is here. I can guide you in. No, thanks , santa. I got this. Santa uh, it looks a little tight. Perfect fit. Santa needs an f150. Thats ford, americas best selling brand. Hurry in today for 0 financing for 72 months across the full line up of ford cars, trucks and suvs. For a limited time, get an additional 1,000 cash back on top of 0 financing for 72 months. Get these exclusive offers during the ford year end sales event. All right. With tax reform hanging in the balance, a Government Shutdown looming, north korea still menacing, what is the president focused on this morning . Let me show you. Ill give awe dramatic reading now. Put it on the screen so you and i can see it. Should have a contest which of the Networks Plus cnn including fox is the most distorted in its political coverage of its favorite president , in parentheses, me, they are all bad. Winner to receive the fake news trophy let me add, he must have read about this News Coverage because he professes not to see any it, hes spending so much time reading documents. Lets discuss what the president is up to. Brian stelter joining me and chief media correspondent, brian . Believe it or not, even when washington or new york, i dont watch Much Television. People dont know that about me. People with fake reporters, fake sources. I dont get to watch Much Television primarily because of documents. Im reading documents, a lot. Must be reading what the media is reporting because hes been on a tear. Time magazine, Cnn International noul all networks except for fox. This president is in a mode assaulting the free press, and i think its astonishing for any leader, any public official. Right now its president trump. But if this were any u. S. President , or frankly head of state from any other country we would be equally shocked by the kind of rhetoric we see. Forget cnn is included in it. Thats not important. Whats important, this is an assault on free speech. An assault on journalism. Any journalism that he doesnt like. He tears down outlets other than fox, because he wants to inoculate himself from the challenges around his white house. Every president has challenges. Challenges in congress. Challenges in approval ratings. President trumps challenges are especially severe at the end of his first year in office. I think hes always trying to inoculate himself against the coverage telling his supporters they cant believe what theyre hearing. Its worth showing some international reporters, some spoke out on twitter, sharing their own comments how they felt about the president insulting their work. These are reporters truly in harms way. He criticized Cnn International. Of course, Cnn International has some of the greatest reporters in the world, in war zones covering famine, human huff ref and we have pictures of them doing what they do. Even that he seems to have a problem with. Calls real news fake and actually promoting fake news. Over the weekend promoted a site full of fake information saying this is what the media should be reporting. A dramatic contrast. Doing that, actually diminishing the real reporting that cnn and cnns rivals all do. Lots of Major Networks in the u. S. And around the world working very hard to figure out whats really going on. You see our correspondents here on the screen right now. Disappointing to see any leader talking about wanting to award a fake news trophy. Especially when its an american president. Normally american president s stand up for press freedom to support journalists in our countries. Again, this isnt about cnn but ignoring facts and promoting conspiratorial websites as sources of information. Sites in some cases have nationalistic tendency, trafficking conspiracies theories and the like. If its positive for him its real. Negative for him, its fake. Most viewers see through that, i think. Brian stelter, appreciate it. Who is running the nations chief Consumer Watchdog Group this morning . The answer is we dont know. Well tell you what we do know, coming up. Helping keep shoppers safe. This is a financial Transaction Secure from hacks and threats others cant see. This is a skyscraper whose elevators use iot data and ai to help thousands get to work safely and efficiently. This is not the cloud you know. This is the ibm cloud. The ibm cloud is the cloud for business. Yours. Wifiso if you cant live without it. T it. Why arent you using this guy . It makes your wifi awesomely fast. No. Still nope. Now were talking it gets you wifi here, here, and here. It even lets you take a time out. No no yes yes, indeed. Amazing speed, coverage and control. All with an xfi gateway. Find your awesome, and change the way you wifi. All right. Good morning, everyone. Im john berman. We begin with a mystery in washington. A mystery and stand jaup. Who is running a key Government Agency and how much did doughnuts make a difference . Two different people claim to be in charge at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Both contenders showed up for work this morning. The man the president appointed on your left and the woman who is suing saying the job is hers on the right. What is going on there . Our Jessica Schneider live in washington. Jessica, we just learned both of these people are sending duelling emails saying they run the place . Reporter thats right, john. So while the protesters are gathered out here the showdown is happening not only in the courts but we also know now in the offices