Tonight, breaking news. The resignation at the white house. Less than 24 hours after answering questions on capitol hill, hope hicks now resigns. President trumps longest serving aide stepping down. Abc news learning hicks told house investigators just yesterday she had occasionally told white lies on the president s behalf. The white house says the timing today is coincidental. Also tonight, the president s call to take action on guns. Oftentimes siding with the democrats at the table. Tonight, supporting universal background checks. And what about raising the age limit on buying guns . A new scare at a school tonight. Students running for their lives. This time, a teacher, armed with a gun, barricading himself inside a classroom, firing his weapon. We are tracking a noreaster off the coast tonight, moving in
on several major cities from d. C. Up through new york and boston. The man posing as a driver, Authorities Say attacking several women who got into his car. And is amazon taking photos of your front door . Tonight, the reason why. Good evening. And its great to have you with us here on a wednesday night. We begin here with the major resignation at the white house. Hope hicks, with the president even before his campaign. Just 24 hours ago, on capitol hill, answering those questions, a source telling abc news she told house investigators she had occasionally told white lies for the president. She is now stepping down. Tonight, the white house says the timing of this resignation is coincidental. Tonight, the growing list of departures right there on your screen. A little more than a year into this administration, starting with michael flynn. The firings, the resignations. One more key name added to that list tonight, hope hicks. Abcs senior White House Correspondent cecilia vega leading us off. Reporter less than 24 hours after hope hicks emerged from nearly nine hours of testifying on capitol hill any collusion . Reporter tonight, the president s closest aide and longtime confidante unexpectedly resigning from her role as Communications Director. Sending shockwaves through the west wing. The official line from the white house, hicks has been thinking about leaving the job for some time and wants to spend more time with her family. But the news comes with hicks under fire for that testimony, telling congressional investigators under oath that she occasionally told white lies on behalf of the president of the United States. Thank you, donald trump. Reporter at 29 years old, she became one of the most powerful players in the trump white house. Now hope hicks is a tremendously talented person. She started off with us right from day one. Reporter by the president s side through the campaign. Hope hicks. Wheres hope. Come here, hope. Come here, hope. Get up here, hope. Hope hicks, the legendary hope
hicks. Shes very shy. Shes a very shy person, but shes a great person. Shes done an amazing job. Reporter before that, in trump tower, as an assistant to the billionaire businessman. A former model, she joined the family working on ivanka trumps fashion line. Now, she helps run the white house. Her handwriting right there on the president s note, reminding him to tell those grieving families from parkland, i hear you. Within minutes of news of her departure, the president releasing a statement saying, she is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person. I will miss having her by my side. But when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, i totally understood. Chief of staff john kelly calling hicks, strategic, poised and wise beyond her years. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. But her tenure in washington not without scandal. Hicks was involved in crafting a misleading statement about that now Infamous Trump tower meeting between don jr. And the russians. More recently, she was at the
center of the firestorm over the departure of former staff secretary rob porter, ousted amid Domestic Violence allegations. Porter and hope were dating. And she helped craft the administrations defense of him when the news broke. But tonight, the white house says none of that is linked to her departure. The timing just coincidence. So, lets get to cecilia vega, live at the white house tonight. And cecilia, hope hicks releasing a statement of her own tonight . Reporter david, she is. She says there are no words to express her gratitude to president trump. Not that long ago, right here in the west wing, she tearfully thanked west wing staffers. She is a very beloved member of this administration. Her office was right outside president trumps oval office. We cant emphasize enough how much of a trusted adviser she was to him. Her actual departure date could still be weeks off, david, but this has been a very key role and a tough one for this white house to fill. Hope hicks is now the fourth Communications Director to come and go. Cecilia vega leading us off tonight. Cecilia, thank you. As you know, the other
firestorm tonight, republicans reacting at this hour to what they saw from the president today at the white house. He was sitting with republicans and democrats on guns and school safety, saying he supports what many of the democrats support, universal background checks, among other things, pushed by the students and families in parkland, florida. But tonight, many in his own party are now livid. Abcs chief White House Correspondent jonathan karl. Reporter before the Television Cameras at the white house, the most pronra president in history gathered together a group including some of congresss most forceful advocates of gun control. I see some folks that dont say nice things about me, thats okay. Because if you turn that into this energy, ill love you. I dont care. Reporter and sitting in that room, the president repeatedly took positions that put himself at olds with the nra and Republican Leaders in congress. He embraced connecticut democrat Chris Murphys call for
background checks on all gun purr chases. And idea republicans have voted down again and again. We cant get it done. Theres nothing else like that, where it works, people want it and we cant do it. But you have a different president now. Well, listen, i mean you went through a lot of president s and you didnt get it done. You have a different president. And i think maybe you have a different attitude, too. I think people want to get it done. Mr. President , its going to have to be you that brings to the republicans to the table on th this. I like that responsibility, chris. I really do. I think its time. Reporter trump even seemed to opposed his own Vice President on how to take guns from someone identified as a possible threat. Allow due process, so no ones rights are trampled, but the ability to go to court, obtain an order and then collect not only the firearms, but any weapons in the position or take the firearms first and then go to court. Because thats another system, because a lot of times, by the time you go to court, it takes so long to go to court, to get
the due process procedures i like taking the guns early. Take the guns first, go through due process second. Reporter and the president brought up an idea the nra says it firmly opposes raising the age to buy assault weapons like the ar15 used in the parkland shooting to 21 years old. I would give very sewer use thought to it. Doesnt make sense that i have to wait until im 21 to get a handgun, but i can get this weapon at 18. I dont know. Reporter the president told the bipartisan group, he wants more than action. He wants bold action. A comprehensive bill on guns and school safety. He told one republic leader to put aside a controversial progun measure and to concentrate on something democrats will support. Youll never get this passed. If you add concealed carry to this, youll never get it passed. Reporter the president called the nra patriots, on his side. Im telling you, i think theyre there. I think theyre there. Some of you people are petrified of the nra. You cant be petrified. They want to do whats right. And theyre going to do whats right. I think it was a very good lunch. Reporter toward the end of the meeting, the president predicted success. We could all get together, we could put in one great piece of legislation, chuck, i think that youre going to have an amaze gt result in the vote. People want to see something happen. But they want to see something good happen. Reporter one last question from senator Dianne Feinstein on banning assault weapons. What do we do about weapons of war easily accessible on our streets . What youre going to have to do is discussing it with anybody its a very complex solution, you do. You have you have weapons on the street, thats what were talking about, with black market. Oh, no. You go into a store and you can buy an ar15. You can. You can buy a tech9. I mean, you can buy all these weapons. Well, this is what youre going to have to discuss. Jon karl live from the white house tonight. We heard the president there tell senator chris murphy, in your report, you have a new president now, to get something done. Inviting the pressure, in essence, and youre getting republican reaction tonight . Reporter republicans in that room didnt challenge the president on any of this, but to give you an idea what the president is up against, look at this statement from senator ben sasse, republican of nebraska. Right after the meeting, he said strong leaders dont automatically agree with the last thing that was said to them. Were not ditching any constitutional protections simply because the last person the president talked to today doesnt like them. To say this will be a tough sell with republicans, david, is an understood statement. Youll be watching, jon. Thank you. Meantime, that emotional return to school today for the students in parkland. Their first stop once at school . Returning to wherever they were during that fourth period when the gunfire broke out to reunite with the friends they were with when it all happened. Meantime, were also learning about the stunning amount of ammunition that gunman left behind at the school. Abcs Victor Oquendo at the scene tonight. Reporter the walk to school unlike any other before it. Students returning, carrying flowers, greeting officers, some with signs of encouragement. My school will never be the same, though. It will never be the same. Reporter its changed forever. Yeah, definitely. Reporter the students first stop, their fourth period class. The same period they were in when the shooting began. The idea, to allow them to spend time with those students they were with when the shots broke out. When i got into the classroom, it was kind of like everyone stared at each other and got a little silent. And then we all kind of you are united. Reporter the freshman building where the attack occurred, closed. It will never be used again. A reminder that the school is far from whole. Today was a weird, strange, emotional day. Reporter how so . In my spanish class especially, because one of our students didnt show up today, because he was one of the 17. So, that was very upsetting. Reporter tonight, a Law Enforcement source tells abc news nikolas cruz left behind nearly 180 unused rounds. And one of the magazines recovered had a swastika on it. An official briefed on the investigation says cruz tried to shoot out a window on the third
floor, but the hurricaneproof glass didnt shatter. Fleeing students could have been target. The hurricaneproof glass. And victor joins us from parkland tonight, where students wait to hear if the Florida State legislature will take any action. Seven days left in that session. Well track that. But a major announcement from the ceo of Dicks Sporting Goods on good morning america, that the company will no longer sell assaultstyle rifles. Take a listen. Were stun ch supporters of the second amendment. But weve just decided that based on whats happened, and with these guns, we dont want to be apart of this story. And weve eliminated these guns permit innocently. Victor, this follows action from a long list of companies . Reporter thats right, david. Todays announcement comes after more than a Dozen Companies ranging from Hotel Operators to insurance providers have cut ties with the nra. And we just got word minutes ago that walmart will also be raising the age limit to purchase guns to 21. David . Victor oquendo with us again tonight. And to a new school scare were following tonight. This time, a teacher with a gun barricading himself inside his classroom and then firing a shot. Students running in fear. And heres Abcs Steve Osunsami on that front. Reporter this was the panic this morning during third period at Dalton High School north of atlanta, after police say this popular social studies teacher had a breakdown and locked himself in an empty classroom with a handgun. He was telling people to go away. Reporter the principal, who was outside the door, says that 53yearold Randall Davidson wasnt making sense, and fired a bullet through a window. They immediately evacuated the school. Everybody started screaming and some teachers said, get out, get out. And we all just started running out. I left everything in my bookbag. We didnt finish eating. Reporter the schools Armed Security officer was offcampus. The only person with a gun was the teacher, seen here, who for years has called games for the football team. When i got to dalton, my knowledge of dalton football was almost zero. Reporter within minutes, everyone in the area with a badge was on campus. Police say the teacher agreed to
surrender. Police tonight are announcing charges, including ingaggravate assault and carrying a weapon onto school grounds. The teacher has not yet entered a plea. Students say what happened in florida made them especially frightened. David . Thats understandable. Steve osunsami with us tonight. Steve, thank you. To the russia investigation tonight. The president s former campaign manager, paul manafort, pleading not guilty to new criminal charges brought by special counsel robert mueller. Manafort was arraigned today on five additional counts, including tax evasion and bank fraud. The trial now set for september 17th. And the president tonight taking aim at his attorney, Jeff Sessions. This is not new, but what is new is that the a. G. Is now firing back. Heres abcs chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas. Reporter the president has made his frustration with his attorney general wellknown for months. I am disappointed in the attorney general. He should not have recused himself. If he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job. And i would have picked somebody
else. A lot of people are disappointed in the Justice Department, including me. Reporter tonight, for the first time, attorney general Jeff Sessions is firing back. It comes after this tweet today from the president , slamming sessions. The president believes sessions has not done enough to investigation allegations the fbi abused surveillance powers in the russia investigation. The president tweeting, why is a. G. Jeff sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive fisa abuse. Will take forever. Has no prosecution or the yall power. Isnt the i. G. An obama guy . Why not use Justice Department lawyers . Disgraceful. After months of responding diplomatically to the president s attacks well, its kind of hurtful, but the president of the United States is a strong leader. Reporter today, sessions stood up to the president. Writing in a statement, quote, we have initiated the
appropriate process that will ensure complaints against this department will be fully and fairly acted upon if necessary. As long as i am the attorney general, i will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor. And Pierre Thomas with us tonight, live from washington. And pierre, some critics tonight, even some republicans, say the president s trying to influence or pressure the Justice Department with his words and tweets like the one today . Reporter thats right, david. President trump in that tweet told sessions to use Justice Department attorneys, telling him how to do his job. But tonight, sources say the message from sessions was blunt. Let me do the job as i see fit, or fire me. David . Pierre thomas with us again tonight. There is still much more ahead on world news tonight this wednesday. The man posing as a driver. Authorities say then attacking several women who got into his car. Also, we are tracking a noreaster, right off the east coast tonight. Several major cities from d. C. Up through new york and boston all preparing. The Intense Police shootout. Officers firing dozens of shots. The images coming in. And this question tonight, is amazon taking photos of your front door . Tonight, the reason why, when we
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amazon taking photos of your front door . Tonight, the reason why. And more on that Police Shootout. Officers locked in a gun battle with a dangerous suspect. Well be right back. Be right back. Multiple symptoms that can make you sad, feel tired, and have difficulty concentrating. Trintellix is a Prescription Medication for depression. It may help you take a step forward in improving your depression. Tell your healthcare professional right away if your depression worsens, or you have unusual changes in mood, behavior or thoughts of suicide. Antidepressants can increase these in children, teens and young adults. Do not take with maois. Tell your healthcare professional about your medications, including migraine, psychiatric and depression medications, to avoid a potentially lifethreatening condition. Increased risk of bleeding or bruising may occur, especially if taken with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin or blood thinners. Manic episodes or vision problems may occur in some people. May cause low sodium levels. The most common side effects
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The explosive Police Shootout in san francisco. A murder suspect allegedly firing two shots at police from inside an rv. Seven officers unleashing about 65 rounds. No one hit. The suspect surrendered two hours later. The alleged serial rapist arrested in los angeles. Nicholas morales is charged with attacking seven women. Authorities say he posed as a ride share driver. Police urging customers who use those apps to check the license plate before you get in. Some amazon drivers are taking pictures of your front porch and sending them to you to show where they placed the package. The company is hoping to crack down on package theft. And the late reverend billy graham lying in honor at the capitol. A military guard carrying his casket into the rotunda. Graham counseled president s and millions of others over seven decades. When we come back tonight, two actresses up for oscars, and the truth behind the reallife story they portrayed. Story they portrayed. We the people. 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peoples perception of her or saying, like, shes a victim or shes a hero. It was just about showing her as a human. The haters always say, tonya, tell the truth. Everyone has their own truth. Reporter our amy robach asking Tonya Harding about the portrayal. Whats it like watching margo robbie . I felt so sorry for her that she had to actually play me, you know . To try to go through what i went through . Reporter Allison Janney playing hardings mother. I didnt stay home making apple brown betties. I made you a champion. Knowing youd hate me for it. Thats the sacrifice a mother makes. Oh, my god. Yes. She was fabulous. Youre a monster. Spilled milk, baby. I almost wanted to cry, because
i felt so bad that she had experienced that kind of mother. Reporter janney already winning the golden globe. This very distinctive, unique mother of a character. Tonya harding is here tonight, and i just i just id like to thank tonya for sharing her story about class in america, tell a story about the disenfranchised, tell a story about a woman who was not embraced for her individual wallty. Reporter both actors are up for an oscar. The whole truth clearly none of us know exactly what happened, but i think we just have to open our minds and understand that theres always more to the story than we think we know. The oscars at 8 00 p. M. Eastern, sunday night, right here. Im david muir. Ill see you tomorrow. Good night. So far they have caused quite a bit of damage, they have damaged windows, they dented the exterior of vehicles, over 20 strikes in the last 10 days is too m. Exclusive new details about the unusual step that police are taking to try to catch their suspect, including even calling in the fbi. Good afternoon, thank you for joining us. The attacks happened on shuttle busses along interstate 280. But the chp revealed today when the shuttle busses moved to highway 101, the101, the101, the them there. Reporter we spoke to some terrified apple employees who say that they have now found alternate means of transportation. Not only is the fbi involved in the investigation, abc7 news has since learned that the chp is