Humanitarian crisis getting worse by the day as thousands of Asylum Seekers crossed into the u. S. This morning an update on where negotiations stand between striking autoworkers and the big three automakers. Were going to speak with michigan congresswoman Debbie Dingell about President Bidens visit to the picket lines tomorrow. The latest nbc news poll is out for the 2024 president ial election, well tell you about the numbers that should alarm democrats and republicans. We begin with a major breakthrough in the Writers Guild strike. Last night Hollywood Screen writers and Entertainments Studios reached a tentative agreement that could put an end to one of the longest walkouts in the history of the industry. If adopted, its a huge victory for thousands of writers who have spent nearly five months out of work and on the picket lines fighting for better conditions. In a statement, the Writers Guild negotiating committee said, quote, this deal is exceptional. Nbcs chloe melas joins us now. Whats in this agreement and what happens next . We do not have the official agreement yet. Some of the things we know are in there are greater protections around artificial intelligence. So many writers concerned that with this technology that their jobs could become obsolete. Also residuals in the streaming era, so were going to see a residual reward program and then also minimum numbers for writers and writers rooms and on shows, so these are some of those main sticking points and whats really interesting about this is that once this is ratified and voted on and it goes into full effect, we will see the sagaftra negotiations start that Union Represents over 100,000 actors. And so really hollywood cant get back up and running without both the writers and the actors, and well see this is sort of a framework for what the actors are hoping for as well. Yeah, because, chloe, right now we dont know if theres been any really substantial movement in the hollywood actors strike. There hasnt. There havent been any negotiations, if you can believe that, since the actors went on strike in july. So we are waiting for those talks to start and obviously the actors just hoping that a deal gets resolved soon. And i think that for all viewers out there wondering how this affects them, youre going to see daytime talk shows come back almost immediately. When it comes to late night shows, you will see those follow suit as well. You saw michael shay from snl saying i guess were back, but that kind of depends on which actors on snl are in the sagaftra union. And then when it comes to scripted, you know, so much has shifted. We even saw the emmys get pushed to january, not everything just sort of snaps your finger and it all goes back to normal. Were going to see some farreaching ramifications for everyone including viewers for months, if not longer, to come. And also not to mention this has cost studios, like warner brothers, discovery over 500 million economy, and the california economy, so many Different Industries from construction, dry cleaning, its behind the scenes, hair and makeup, craft services. Like the mayor of los angeles said, this is great, its One Step Forward but they really have to get those other industries back up and running as well. Chloe melas, thank you so very much. In just a couple of minutes one of the most powerful voices in congress, set to deliver remarks in the wake of an indictment. On friday prosecutors announced charges against menendez and his wife nadine. A grand jury accused them of Receiving Hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for the senators influence Chtd Menendez has slammed the charges as baseless and said hes being falsely accused. Joining us from union city, new jersey, is Msnbcs Lindsey Reiser. Good morning, what do we expect melendez to say . Reporter union city is where the senator began his political career. He was on the school board in union city. He graduated from high school here. He was mayor of union cityin the 80s. Seven and a half miles away is federal courthouse in manhattan. This will be his first public remarks since the indictment on friday. We of course heard from him on friday via statement. He defiant, and that is what we are expecting again today. A source telling our Julie Tsirkin that hes expectsed to remain defiant, not announcing any type of resignation. His first statement on friday said it is not lost on me how quickly some are to as a latino, there are absolutely ways in which there is systemic bias but i think what is here in this indictment is quite clear. So how do we expect this to affect his political future . Reporter he already has primary challengers. It appears that some of his colleagues in the senate are split. We have heard from one democratic senator John Fetterman who said that menendez should not be able to continue to wield his influence over national policy. He is one of the most powerful senators in the senate chairing the Foreign Relations committee, but nearly the entire New Jersey Congressional Delegation has called for his resignation. Governor phil murphy, typically a menendez ally, also the chair of the new jersey democrats calling on his resignation. While democrats do appear to be split, all of his colleagues are slamming the indictments and saying they are of course egregious. We will be asking him what he thinks of what some of his colleagues have said. It is unclear if he will be accepting questions today. And lindsey, its expectsed that the senator will be out there about 25, 30 minutes from now . Reporter thats right. And jose, this room is completely packed, media on either side of me, and so right now lets see, its about 11 06 eastern time. We are expecting this Press Conference to begin in about 24 minutes or, so and we will be bringing them to you live. Lindsey reiser, thank you so very much. Ill see you shortly then. This morning the crisis at the southern border continues to intensify. As daily migrant arrivals swell to the thousands, on thursday 8,200 migrants tried to cross into the u. S. 9,000 sought entry on wednesday. This new footage from our telemundo colleagues shows the moment a customs and Border Protection agent in eagle pass, texas, cut razor wire to free my migrants who had been stuck there. The mayor of had been stuck there. The mayor of says his city is at the breaking point. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says hes deployed more buses to send migrants to sanctuary cities. Nbcs guad venegas joins us now from eagle pass, texas. What happens to the people that are coming in, guad, whats the Current Border policy . What happens to these 7, 8,000 people that are every day crossing now . Reporter jose, its difficult to understand what the actual policy is thats being implemented right, because it was announced by dhs earlier in the year that people needed to use the cb 1 p app to apply for asylum. Anyone who entered illegally would be returned to mexico. That is not the case. Many people have crossed through the river, not used the app, requested asylum and theyve been allowed to remain in the United States. Many of them, the venezuelans have been offered temporary protected status. Its difficult to know whats being implemented. What we do know at this point in places like eagle pass, jose, Border Patrol has to engage in humanitarian actions. We saw the video where they were cutting the wire. They had to do that again yesterday. S that about 100 feet away. I spoke to the officer that cut the wire yesterday, and he said at this point we have people stuck. Theres babies in the crowd. Some of those kids were walking into the wire. He said we have to cut it. If we dont cut it, we dont know whats going to happen. At that point theyre saving lives. You can hear one of the patrols coming behind me. These are some of the airboats that are coming back and forth, jose. Its a difficult thing to understand. The policy thats being implemented. What we know is as you said, thousands are arriving at the u. S. mexico border, many of them riding the freight trains, that by the way, they halted but then they started these trains again. Many more arrived over the weekend, and they are now being processed by customs and Border Protection. Of course those that are allowed to remain in the United States will go to cities like new york or places where Governor Greg Abbott is busing them to. Were going to play part of a conversation that i had with one of these migrants that arrived yesterday. [ speaking in a global language ] just one of the many conversations that i had with someone coming in yesterday. By the way, yesterday we had families, we had children. We had babies just months old being carried by their mothers, part of those groups that we saw hundreds coming in, jose. Guad as this airboat passes by you, i know its loud and i appreciate your time. You know, you spent virtually the whole weekend speaking to folks. And as you say, men, women, children, babies that have made the most dangerous, horrific journey to get to where you are right now, and im just wondering, what do they tell you, guad, about why theyre doing what theyre doing. And what are they experiencing on the way to where you are . Reporter well, when i asked them what did you see on the way, they say death, they say sick people, sick children. Some of them traveled for three months, others for a month. Many of them riding those freight trains. You can imagine the conditions. Its about 100 degrees here, more than 100 degrees in the hottest part of the day or point of the day. You can imagine what it was like when they were walking. A lot of them jumped off the train south of the boarder and walked here, walked across. So very, very difficult conditions. Why do they come here . They say they have no other options. This is part of a humanitarian crisis that is taking place in south america, in Central America and that migration is happening. We see the numbers of people crossing the jungle from colombia to panama, and they are trying to make their way to the u. S. mexico border. We dont have official numbers because some of them cross and get permits in mexico through immigration. Tens of thousands are currently in mexico. When i talk to the migrants and i ask them is there more coming behind you . They say, yes, theres thousands walting to catch a train to get here. And jose, we should point out that the u. S. Has made an agreement with mexico where they say mexico will be able to deport migrants from Mexican Border cities back to their home countries. That would mean they would be able to deport people to venezuela, nicaragua and cuba. Mexico does have a close relationship with all of those countries. If mexico does implement this deal the way its been announced, it would change a lot of things, jose. But meanwhile, there are a lot of talk of negotiations and agreements and yet the reality is that people are doing everything they can to leave where they are and are making these dangerous treks, the ones who are certainly making a lot of money out of this are the Human Smugglers and the cartels that are very much enjoying whats happening. Guad venegas, i thank you so much for being with us. Appreciate it. Up next, striking autoworkers targeted by the top president ial campaigns on both sides, President Biden, former President Trump are doing in michigan this week, well talk to Debbie Dingell about that next. And Steve Kornacki is back at the big board with one number from the nbc news poll that should worry democrats the most. Were back in 60 seconds. Youre watching jose diazbalart reports on msnbc. , theres a deal on the subway app. Buy one footlong, get one 50 off in the subway app today. Now thats a deal worth celebrating. Man, what are you doing . get it before its gone on the subway app. At the big board with one number at the big board with one number are you still struggling with your bra . Its time for you to try knix. Makers of the worlds comfiest wireless bras. For revolutionary support without underwires, and sizes up to a gcup, find your new favorite bra today at knix. Com tomorrow President Biden is expected to go to michigan and stand in solidarity and walk the picket line with members of the striking united Autoworkers Union. His appearance comes at the invitation of uaw president shawn fain. On wednesday, former President Trump will also visit detroit to speak to current and former autoworkers. Meanwhile, Union Leaders expanded the strike at gm and stellantis plants amid reports of progress being made with ford. Joining us now nbc news correspondent jesse kirsch with the latest from pontiac, michigan. Are there any updates on negotiations . Reporter at this point the last official word we have is that the strike was expanding against gm and stellantis as you mentioned. What that says is that the union feels it is in better shape in its negotiations with ford than with the other two companies. The union saying that it had made, quote, Real Progress with ford in particular, and separately, ford has now come to an agreement with canadian autoworkers, a different union, so momentum for that company potentially on multiple fronts. As you mentioned, gm, and stellantis getting squeezed more on this Strike Expansion which could now lead to the potential to hit consumers at the moment. We continue to speak with autoworkers about what they want including at this parts facility here at General Motors in pontiac, michigan. I talked with a worker about what hes looking for. Some people are emphasizing things like pensions, health care for retirees, other people are talking about pay and, you know, benefits for current workers. Heres what one man shared with me. Were pushing hard on the ev market. We want Security Making sure those jobs stay here and that, you know, especially in the parts division, that we get those parts, and we continue to prosper and grow as a company in the United States, you know. We dont want to see those jobs disappear. I also remember former President Trump saying he wanted to basically ship all the jobs from the big three that were here in the north down south to teach us a lesson. So you know, he wants to come, well take the support, but im not really banking on it. Reporter speaking to questions surrounding both President Biden and former President Trump, evs and alluding to the fact that the president has been pushing for expansion in that marketplace, but that has come with some concerns about a loss of jobs down the road, jose. Jesse kirsch in pontiac, thank you very much. With us now to continue our conversation is Michigan Democratic congresswoman Debbie Dingell. Its always a pleasure to see you. I thank you so very much for your time. Youve said that the president should not be intervening in negotiations between the Autoworkers Union and the big three automakers. Whatd you mean by that . I think its pretty extraordinary to see the sitting president of the United States going to show support to folks that are on the picket line. Its going to be an historical moment tomorrow, its good to see you and always good to be on with you. But what you are going to witness is historical moment for workers across the country, for a president to join them showing them his support and solidarity during these moments. What i have been clear on and i think by the way, the president has been clear far before he walked that or joins them at a picket line tomorrow, that he is standing with the workers. But when you get to the negotiating table, that table should not have people, policymakers like the president or me at it. They intervened in the Railroad Strike and people have still felt some consequences from that. Well, the economy is feeling the impact of this strike and is going to feel it more if it continues. People are being reminded of the importance of the Auto Industry to our economy. We still have the backbone of it. These negotiations are between the workers and the companies. We need to understand policies. We need to understand how people are he should not intervene at the negotiating table. So what do you think the union and the autoworkers need to do in order to reach a deal . I think progress is being made. I think that uaw has been very clear on things that mattered to them. Cost of living, which the workers lost when they supported the companies, when they were facing bankruptcy in 2008 and 2009, theyre not making in real terms, theyre making less than they were in those years. They want cola. They want to eliminate tiers so people arent doing the same job on the same line and just because when they were hired in theres a significant pay differential and they want job security. So i think thats i think progress is being made on all sides listening to each other. I think as you heard a union worker say a few minutes ago, the future of Electric Vehicles is something thats on the table and a tough subject, but donald trump says there will be 100 produced in china. Were going to make sure theyre produced here, theyre made by Union Workers in this country and that we are competing in a global marketplace and being competitive. And congresswoman, were less than a week away from a potential government shutdown, theres still no signs of a deal to avert one. Heres what Speaker Mccarthy had to say this morning. You have to keep the government open. I mean, if people want to close the government, it only makes them weaker. Why would they want to stop paying the troops or the Border Agents or the coast guard. I dont understand how that makes you stronger. I dont understand what point youre trying to make. Congresswoman, what does shutdown mean for the economy . Well, it would be a disaster. I am hearing Kevin Mccarthy mutter those words sort of gives me some hope that maybe he will get the backbone to stand up to the small group of people in his caucus that are trying to destroy the country. It would impact our national security, the people that keep us safe Every Single Day would not be paid. It harms our military. These people keep our food safe, they take care of our health care, people on medicare and social security, agriculture, i could go through a list. Its irresponsible. It is not the way to run the government, and as our economy is recovering, it would do significant damage to it, period. Congresswoman, why are we at the state were in . Why is it that were seeing this as almost becoming common to see lack of possibility of progress. I worry about it, you know that im someone that believes that all of us have to do more listening to one another. There are people, i believe, our democracy is really being challenged. I think that there are people that are deliberately trying to divide us. I think we need to listen to each other more, you know, my favorite saying is god gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason, to listen more and talk less. I was brought up to reach across the aisle, to find the common ground, compromise wasnt a dirty word, and i hope that voters and people in communities will stand up and say theyre worried about where were going. United we stand, divided we fall. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, its always a pleasure to see you. I thank you for being with us this morning. Thank you. Up next, Steve Kornacki is at the big board, there he is, how are you . To crunch the new numbers from the latest nbc news president ial poll, the biggest warnings for both siesds. And moments from now bob menendez will be speaking publicly for the first time about his indictment on federal bribery charges. Youre watching jose diazbalart reports on msnbc. ee diazbalart reports on msnbc. 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A new nbc poll shows former President Trump once again dominating his fellow republican contenders now leading the field at 59 . But the poll also paints a picture of a deeply competitive general election matchup between trump and President Biden, who are now locked in a dead heat. Joining us now with more is Nbc News National Political correspondent Steve Kornacki. What do these numbers show you . Yeah, jose, as you said, look, on the republican side here, donald trump he skipped that first debate, looks like hes skipping the second debate. Hes had all sorts of indictments, legal dramas this year. All sorts of things his republican opponents thought would make him vulnerable with republican primary voters, that the primary voters would think twice about getting behind trump again. Instead, weve only seen trump grow his lead, 43 points in our newest poll. Back in april, trumps lead was 15 in our poll. It has tripled basically in the spring and summer months. You mentioned the head to head by trump, tied at 46 in our poll here, remember, in the 2020 campaign, if you look back at essentially all the polling from late 2019 through the 2020 campaign, biden led consistently trump in all of the polling, ended up winning the popular vote by 4. 5 points. The Electoral College is where it was close. Trump performing better in the poll im going to interrupt you. Lets go with Senator Menendez. On friday the Southern District of new york brought charges against me. I understand how deeply concerning this can be. However, the allegations leveled against me are just that, allegations. For anyone who has known me throughout my 50 years of public service, they know i have always fought for what is right. My advocacy has always been grounded in what i learned from growing up as the son of cuban refugees, especially my mom, my hero, Evangelina Menendez everything i have accomplished ive worked for, despite the naysayers and everyone who has underestimated me. As i have stated throughout this whole process i firmly believe that when all the facts are presented not only will i be exonerated, but i still will be new jerseys Senior Senator. For now i want to address four things. First, a corner stone of the foundation of american democracy and our Justice System is the principle that all people are presumed innocent until Proven Guilty. All people. I ask for nothing more and deserve nothing less, the court of Public Opinion is no substitute for our revered Justice System. We cannot set aside the Presumption Of Innocence for political expediency when the harm is irrevocable. For those who have rushed to judgment, you have done so based on a limited set of facts framed by the prosecution to be as salacious as possible. Remember, prosecutors get it wrong sometimes. Sadly i know that. Instead of waiting for all the facts to be presented, others have rushed to judgment because they see a political opportunity for themselves or those around them. All i humbly ask for in this moment as well as each person who calls new jersey home is to pause and allow for all the facts to be presented. Second, my long record on egypt. One fact is indisputable. Throughout my time in congress, i have remained steadfast on the side of Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders in egypt and everywhere else in the world. If you look at my actions related to egypt during the period described in this indictment and throughout my whole career, my record is clear and consistent in Holding Egypt accountable for its unjust detention of american citizens and others, its human rights abuses, its deepening relationship with russia and efforts that have eroded the independence of the nations judiciary among a myriad of concerns. In 2017 i led a bipartisan letter to then President Trump expressing grave concern with the worsening situation for civil seat in egypt. That same year i sent a letter to the subcommittee supporting assistance to egypt as long as egypt adhered to the camp dafd accords and urged the Appropriations Committee to include the requirements for Assistance Reform Strategies outlined in the reform act. In 2018 i urged secretary killson to focus more on egypt and raise concerns that the electoral ahead of egypts elections at the time was not free, fair and credible. In 2019 i met with President El See see at the Munich Security Conference and emphasized the level of repression inside of egypt risking eroding our Security Cooperation and raising concerns about egypts attempt to purchase a Russian Missile system. In 2020 i spoke on the senate floor on International Womens day and cited the cases of a human rights lawyer, and a Human Rights Activist and reporter who were unjustly detained in egypt for fighting for Human Rights Democracy and a free press. I have placed holds on form Military Sales funding to egypt and in the presence of other United States senators, i have challenged president sisi directly on human rights abuses, arbitrary detention and repressed freedoms. The list goes on. Throughout my 30 years in the House Of Representatives and the senate i have always worked to hold accountable those countries including egypt for human rights abuses, the repression of its citizenry, Civil Society and more. Those who now are attempting to malign my actions as it relates to egypt simply dont know the facts. Third. For 30 years i have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash from my personal Savings Account, which i have kept for emergencies and because of the history of my family Facing Confiscation in cuba. Now, this may seem Old Fashioned, but these were moneys drawn from my personal Savings Account based on the income that i have lawfully derived over those 30 years. I look forward to addressing other issues at trial. Four, i want to speak directly to the people of new jersey. As i started these remarks, youre the reason why i have dedicated the entirety of my adult life to improving the lives of hardworking new jerseyans and all americans. Some of the people calling for my resignation for political reasons say i have lost the trust of the people of new jersey. That couldnt be more wrong. Today im surrounded by everyday people and constituents who know me. They are here because i fought for Important Health care policies like the Affordable Care act, access to Reproductive Health care, funding for Community Health centers and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. They are here because i have fought for working people, those who work 5 00 to 9 00 to support those working from 9 00 to 5 00. Ive always advocated for the right of workers to organize for better wages and working conditions and have been a staunch supporter of delivering Critical Services like affordable child care to better support working families. They are here because when new jersey was in the darkest days following superstorm sandy, i never relented in making sure that new jerseyans were made whole and had the resources to rebuild stronger and more resilient than before. They are here because during the worst pandemic in a century, i went to bat for Small Business owners throughout the state to ensure they could key their doors open and their employees on the payroll. They are here because when state and local governments were faced with excruciaing decision of having to lay off front line responders, Police Officers and firefighters during the pandemic, i delivered billions in federal funding and investments to keep our states, cities and towns and hospitals afloat. Throughout my career and some may not have liked the positions i have taken i have stood against authoritarian regimes in iran or cuba in its dictatorship and wherever in the world Human Rights And Democracy have been threatened, and they are here because i have made it my lifes work about protecting refugees and immigrants who come to our shores seeking a Better Future for their children just as my family did. They are here because during the past 30 years, i have fought Tooth And Nail so new jersey would receive Critical Infrastructure funding and fought against the forces that tried to dismantle the gateway project. They are here because since my earliest days in congress, i have repeatedly stood up to the gun lobby to stop illegal firearms from claiming too many lives and destroying communities. They are here because when tragedy struck, one of new jerseys federal judges, i made a promise that i would not stop until i passed a law to better protect the dedicated Public Servants in the judiciary. And last year i delivered passing legislation signed into law by the president that will better protect judges and their families. And they are here because i never gave up on delivering justice for 9 11 families, especially the widows and children of those killed who were previously and unfairly excluded from the u. S. Victims of statesponsored terrorism. And in december, working with others, i delivered billions of dollars in long over due federal relief to that community and other u. S. Victims of terror. They are here because when other members of congress wanted to turn their backs on our veterans and not pass the pact act to provide health care to our veterans exposed to toxic burn pit, i was there, and they are here because i successfully passed legislation to better serve world war ii vets as well as those suffering from gulf war illnesses. For now, i remain focused on continuing to do the work i do every day to the 9 Million People who call new jersey home, including doing everything we can this week to avoid a government shutdown, deliver critical funding for States Affected by catastrophic Natural Disasters and ensure the people of ukraine have everything they need to defeat putin, and ill return to washington this week to do exactly that. Now, let me just say a few words in spanish. [ speaking in a global language ] the senator now essentially translating what he said, his comments in english into spanish. I want to bring in had Msnbcs Lindsey Reiser who is at that News Conference right now, nbc news justice correspondent ken dilanian, and anthony coley, former Senior Adviser to merrick garland, now an msnbc justice and Legal Affairs analyst as we see the senator continuing to give his comments in spanish. I want to go first with you, lindsey. The senator was describing a whole slew of people and organizations, okay, were going to establish communication with lindsey, she apparently is still at that News Conference so she cant speak with us. Ken, i want to start with you then, the senator chose to discuss specifically one of the number of items that were confiscated or taken by federal officials or authorities when they searched his home in new jersey, the nearly half a Million Dollars that apparently allegedly were held in cash in the senators house, but he didnt talk about any of the other ones. No, thats right, but it was interesting that he made a point of saying that for 30 years hes had a habit of withdrawing cash from his Bank Accounts and keeping money in cash. And he said its in part due to his Family Experience with having their assets confiscated in cuba, which i think a lot of people can relate to. And he said, maybe its Old Fashioned but thats been my habit. Its fascinating that he chose to respond to that particular piece of evidence laid out in the indictment, perhaps because he knows that its incredibly compelling visually and as an image, and it suggests it suggests wrongdoing. It suggests guilt. So hes offering an alternative explanation. The problem with what he said, though, is that the Justice Department is saying that the dna and the fingerprints of one of the alleged bribe payors and or his driver were found on some of that cash was that confiscated in the senators home and safe deposit box, and some of its stuffed in his jackets, and of course thats saying nothing about the gold bars and the other allegations. But it was an interesting defiant pushback by the Senior Senator from new jersey who is after all an incredibly effective politician. Thats why the hes the chairman of the senate Foreign Relations committee. Hes been extremely effective on a number of issues. He also pushed back against the idea that he had sold out u. S. Policy on egypt making a point of his long track record and hes accurate there about pushing to try to improve egypts Human Rights Record, about signing a letter, about criticizing the government of egypt, which has a very checkered Human Rights Record. What he didnt address was the allegations in the indictment, which said that, for example, he ghost wrote a letter that was then handed over to egyptian officials designed to be sent to senators to persuade them to restore 300 million in military aid that had been suspended because of that Human Rights Record. So according to this indictment he was playing both sides of the fence and secretly aiding the government of egypt in exchange essentially for bribes. But he is saying, you know, pay no attention to that. Ive been an advocate for Human Rights In Egypt, jose. And so let me just listen in hes contining to speak in spanish. Were staying very close to this because when he finishes in spanish, maybe hell take some questions, maybe not. Well of course keep monitoring that. He is apparently still now giving that statement that he just gave in english in spanish. So anthony, id be interested in seeing your reaction to the comments today. A sober sounding bob menendez, and if anyone who knows bob menendez and who has followed his career over the last three or four decades, he very clearly is a fighter. That type of defiance didnt really come through here. One other thing, jose that i was listening for that i didnt hear, is over the last couple of days certainly on friday night, he played the victim card. He even mentioned his suggestion that prosecutors were focusing on him because he is latino. We didnt hear that today, and im glad to hear that. The fact of the matter is that these charges are incredibly disturbing and the evidence is overwhelming against him, and i think it was notable that congresswoman ocasiocortez came out, one of the more prominent latinos in congress, came out over the weekend to call for his resignation. Hes got an Uphill Battle to beat these charges, and you know, if i were him, i would be negotiating with prosecutors to try to reach a Plea Agreement because the totality of evidence, jose, is stacked up against him. The things that he did not mention today, you heard ken talk about some of them, but what about him googling the price of a kilo of gold, just as hes receiving a kilo of gold, the first of four, and then not promptly declaring any of that on his senate disclosure form. He didnt talk about how he received Sensitive Information from the State Department and through his wife passed that along to a foreign government. So he was select inclusive what he chose to highlight, but the evidence against him is pretty clear and overwhelming. Yeah, and you know, its also interesting that he started by saying, you know, prosecutors sometimes get it wrong sadly, i know personally that to be the case. And ryan, just to kind of go off from what anthony was talking to about i should say is on capitol hill theres been mixed reaction or in some cases no reaction to the senators problem. Yeah, what we clearly havent seen yet, jose is any kind of resounding sound of support for Senator Menendez. To your point weve even heard from a smattering of politicians, most of them on the house side who have called for him to step down, or weve heard nothing at all. And one of the things we did not hear, at least not yet in this statement that hes making right now and perhaps if he takes questions well get some sort of clarity on that, is whether or not he intends to run for reelection. He is up again in 2024. If he doesnt run for reelection, it would require the democrats to hastily get together a candidate to run in a state that is reliably blue, and we know already that he is facing a challenger in that democratic primary should he decide to run for reelection in the form of representative andy kim who was the first member of the new jersey delegation, first democratic member of the new jersey delegation to call on him to step down. So you know, this is a very difficult position for menendez to be in because democrats cant miss in new jersey. The map is so tight. They have to defend seats in places like arizona, in west virginia, in montana where they have to really devote all their resources. They really cant be in a position where they have to dump a lot of money into a place like new jersey, which is one of the most expensive Media Markets in the country. That has got to be part of the calculation. And perhaps the only insight that he gave into his future plans is to whether or not he is going to run for reelection. Hes made it clear hes not going to resign, is he said when the dust settles and everything comes to a conclusion, he still intends to be the Senior Senator from new jersey. This could be a lengthy legal process, and that would indicate to me at least, that he is expecting to run for reelection before this legal matter is settled. He hasnt said that specifically yet. Thats still one of the areas we need a lot of clarity on. Interesting that you mentioned that, it does seem to indicate that he does plan to stay on, although, again, he didnt say that categorically one way or another. Ken, interesting in the indictment, which is so detailed, you know, 39 pages of a talking a very detailed talking indictment, there are a lot of issues there that the senator tried to confront that werent the i guess most controversial or damning ones, right . You mentioned a few of them, but the whole issue of egypt. Let me talk about egypt specifically. Its very clear that in the indictment egypt has a lot to do with this, but its interesting what he chose to talk about egypt, what he spoke egypt about. Yeah, jose, he sort of went on a long litany about his advocacy for Human Rights In Egypt over the years and his various actions as the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee to try to put pressure on the Egyptian Government as their Human Rights Record has worsened. Just so viewers understand, this is egypt is one of the biggest recipients of u. S. Military aid, has been since it reached a peace deal with israel in the 70s, and lately because of the current government of egypt in the wake of the arab spring and all that transpired there, this is a government that puts Political Prisoners in prison, that puts opponents in prison, that has been accused of torture and repression. Its obviously controversial that the United States keeps funneling more than A Billion Dollars in aid to this government, and theres been times that aid has been put on hold. What Senator Menendez has been saying today is he has been an advocate in trying to pressure that government to clean up its act. What the indictment says is blind the scenes what he was actually doing is try and help that government overcome objections to aid, and he was doing that even as he was profiting from a relationship with an egyptian american businessman who he helped secure an exclusive contract to provide halal meat to the government of egypt. Thats, i think this egyptian angle is what raises this case above the level of a garden variety public corruption case. The Justice Department is not just saying that Senator Menendez took bribes and sold his office. Theyre saying that he sold out the United States to a foreign government, he and his wife. Thats the allegations, and i think thats those are perhaps the most disturbing allegations particularly for these democrats that have been calling on him to resign, and thats the one he chose to take on as it were among the four things that he chose to highlight, jose. And so were seeing the senator decided not to take any questions. He just gave his comments both in english and in spanish and then has just left the room there. Were just going to be speaking with Lindsey Reiser in just seconds because shes there as well, but i think, ryan, its important to kind of if i would explain to us just how important, consequential the senates Foreign Relations committee is and what the role of chairman of that committee gives you. Jose, it is such an important point. The senate Foreign Relations committee is among the most powerful in the United States government within the United States senate. The senate, the chair of the senate Foreign Relations committee is made privy to all kinds of sensitive high ranking Security Information that not every other senator is made privy to. Theyre involved in every discussion discussion as it relates to national security. As it relates to diplomacy, as it relates to work of the State Department and others. Not only that, the chair of the Foreign Relations committee is also, unto itself, a diplomat. Senator menendez is someone who travels All Over The World as a representative of the United States government to, essentially, you know, take the u. S. Interest to these countries abroad. So at a time where the situation in the world is very volatile, when you consider everything thats happening with the war in ukraine, when you have the encroaching threat of china and everything thats happening in the south pacific, taiwan, all those Different Countries and then the ongoing unsettled nature of the middle east, of which Senator Menendez was heavily involved. This is an awkward time to say the least to have someone in a high ranking position facing such serious legal questions. And so, that is why he stepped away from the Foreign Relations committee almost immediately. We should point out he did so voluntarily but he would be compelled to do because the caucus rules state if youre under indictment you cant serve as the chairman of a committee but this is the highlight of his work here. To kens point it also provided him access, right. Part of the reason he could be in a room with egyptian leaders on a regular basis, have interaction and interface with egyptian leaders was because he was the chair of the senate Foreign Relations committee and the message he sent to the rest of the caucus was so important as it relates to the legislation that was passed, the aid approved, everything along those lines. You have to understand 100 senators are not paying razor sharp attention to everything that comes before them, they rely on their colleagues who are the chairs of the fields, the different committees to lead them to get to the end to understand how to vote on the issues. If im a member of the senate, a democratic member in particular who might have a more important focus on domestic issue like agriculture, something along those lines i may not be looking at whats happening because i trust Senator Menendez to guide me. So the issues he had through the senate Foreign Relations committee cannot be understated. I think thats part of the reason these allegations are so serious. So important. Thank you for clearing that up. Lindsey you were at that place where the senator just spoke. What was it like . Reporter a flurry of activity behind me now, jose. There were throngs of media here. As the senator walked in, he had people behind him in support of him and he said some of those people were constituents and as you mentioned you highlighted what he believes his was accomplishments, the Affordable Care act, hurricane sandy, the pandemic but saying hes always fought for whats right. Calling out the nay sayers and calling out the colleagues calling for his resignation. Ken had mentioned the stark comment he said about the fact that over the years he has take even his own money out of his Savings Account, pointing to some of those really stark photos we saw of indictment of cash stuffed into his suit jackets and he said some say i lost trust of people in new jersey, they couldnt be more wrong. He made the comments in english, you heard him make the comments in spanish and then he did not take any questions. I shouted a question, senator will you be running next year . Of course, hearing your conversation next year and ryan nobles saying his comment that he expects to be exonerating and remain the Senior Senator from new jersey, it seems to elude he would be running for reelection. He has several primary challengers already since the indictment on friday but he walked out without answering any questions. Its to be expected that you would be the one to ask the questions if they are not answered, lindsey. Theres an implication in many ways by the senator that he was in some way targeted and that prosecutors get it wrong, and this is the case, the senator saying once again will be shown to be wrong. Thats curious. I know the u. S. Attorney for Southern District of new york, damian williams, the first African American to hold that role. The Special Agent in charge of the fbi field office, another minority man, james smith, these are people who pay special attention to detail. They are not ones to bring these charges lightly. So i understand his Reference Point there. But i also understand that at every level of review of this Case Prosecutors and investigators feel pretty confidence they can sustain a conviction in these charges and have that conviction sustained on appeal. The other thing i will say go ahead, sir. Im sorry. I was going to finish a point. What i think he may have been successful in doing, i think its going to be interesting to see what some of the major latino groups say or dont say about this. Right now theyve been silent. But i think majority leader schumer, dick durbin, i think they got it right here on one point that menendez himself raised. That is this idea of due process. And at the bottom of this Press Release that the Justice Department issued on friday, they say these charges are, quote, merely accusations and all defendants are innocent unless and until Proven Guilty by a court of law. So on that point i think schumer and others have it right and theyll give him the due process he deserves. Make no mistake about it these are extremely serious charges. Thank you all so much for being with us this morning. That wraps up the hour for me, im jose diazballart. Thank you for your time. You can always catch up with me on social. Andrea mitchell picks up after the break. Andrea mitchell picks up after the break. Or more she can sell r part of it to coventry for cash. Even a term policy. Even a term policy . Even a term policy find out if youre sitting on a goldmine. Call Coventry Direct today at the number on your screen, or visit coventrydirect. Com. Im patriotic kenny. And, hi, im amanda. My scooter broke down. 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Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. Emerge as you. Emerge tremfyant®. Ask you doctor about tremfya®. Right now on Andrea Mitchell reports, new jersey democratic senator bob menendez defiant in the case of federal charges including conspiracy to commit bribery and calls to resign from within his own party. I recognize this will be the biggest fight yet, but as i have stated throughout this whole process, i believe that when all the facts are presented, not only