Translated as a machete. Certainly some sort of a knife. And reportedly shouted god is great in arabic before launching himself at the soldier. The assailant was then shot five times by the officer. Police also say the attacker is carrying two backpacks or suitcases of some sort but neither had explosives. The situation does appear to be largely under control right now. Police are searching the area. Big security operation under way as we speak. The streets, cordoned off. Traffic close to pedestrians and cars. We saw photos also on social media of visitors inside the museum huddling on the floor. E museum locked down and appears to still be locked down as the Police Search to try to figure out if theres anyone else connected to the attack. It is worth noting that france is still under a state of emergency following the terrorist attacks at the bataclan concert hall, the attack in nice. Theres armed soldiers on the streets across the country. No indication at this point where this was a terror attack or what the motive of this individual might have been. We dont even know what his identity or nationality is. But obviously a swift action by this french soldier potentially preventing a situation that could have been a lot more violent, perhaps. Yeah. It has been a terrible couple of years talking about the Charlie Hebdo attack in january of 2015. When you say theyre on alert, does that mean there are extra guards posted as places like the louvre, potentially the eiffel tower . Top tourist places in paris . Reporter absolutely. And that is, perhaps, one of the reasons why this attack wasnt worse than it could have been. There have been there has been an increased security presence all across at tourist sites. Not just in paris. Across the country as well. That could be one of the reasons why the authorities has been able to respond to this so quickly. Thank you for that update. Vowing to restrict political speech by tax exempt churches. Speaking at the annual National Prayer breakfast yesterday, trump turned to a campaign vow to do away with the, quote, Johnson Amendment. Our republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government but that freedom is a gift from god. Part of those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs. That is why i will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution. I will do that. Remember. So this amendment, a 1954 law named for its principle sponsor Lyndon Johnson to prohibit chunchs from endorsing political candidates. Because it resides in a tax code, repealing the law would need an approval from congress. Fear making political endorsements could divide their congregations. Those who support Campaign Reform would argue abolishing the law would only increase the amount of undisclosed political spending. Australia has been one of the u. S. s closest allies thrown into jeopardy after a testy call between president and that nations Prime Minister. The president was upset about a deal to take refugees to be settled in the u. S. Believe me, when you hear about the tough phone calls im having, dont worry about it. Just dont worry about it. Theyre tough. We have to be tough. Its time were going to be a little tough, folks. Were taken advantage of by every nation in the world, virtually. Its not going to happen anymore. Still a Bipartisan Group of top lawmakers saw to ensure after that exchange. The senator Lindsey Graham noted that the relationship between the two nations has been so close over the years, that his own father served in the military and was stationed in australia. I think the president should sleep more and tweet less. But thats his call. If politics is music, the president is off key. He may have a different look at the deal with 1250 refugees which i think made sense. But you cant deny that australia has been amicas best friend in that part of the world. Weve literally fought and died together in iraq and afghanistan. And australias ambassador met with Reince Priebus and steve ban non. Out of respect for our ally, the u. S. Will accept referrals from the Detention Centers but under the conditions of the president s executive order. But this morning reuters reports that u. S. Immigration officials have postponed interviews with those asylum seekers. All of this was the backdrop for Rex Tillersons first day as secretary of state. He spent time reassuring about the direction of u. S. Foreign policy. In a speech to staff members, tillerson urged everyone to put aside their differences. I know this was a hotly contested election and we do not all feel the same way about the outcome. Each of us is entitled to the expression of our political beliefs. But we cannot let our personal convictions overwhelm our ability to work as one team. And within hours of starting the job, tillerson made introductory calls to his counterparts in mexico. According to official ts in all of his conversations tillerson stresed the steadfast commitment to its key allies and partners. James mattis is reassuring people in asia this morning. Where hes scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister this evening where hell talk about the strength of the american japanese alliance. This after President Trump questioned the cost of u. S. Security commitments abroad during his candidacy. During his visit to korea, the defense secretary agreed to deploy a u. S. Missile defense this year and issued a stern warning to the north stating that an attack on u. S. Allies will be defeated and any north korean use of weapons would be met with effective and overwhelming response. Meanwhile, john kelly visited the u. S. mexico border this week and says he has a time frame in mind for completion of the wall. It will be built where its needed most first. And then filled in. Okay. Thats how im looking at it. I really hope to have it done within the next two years. Well, the senate has agreed to a floor vote on mick mulvaney. While the Budget Committee recommended confirmation, the Homeland Security committee advanced it without recommendation. Despite pummelling for cuts to the military at his hearing, john mccain voted to advance the nomination saying, President Trump has correctly stated that repealing the defense sequester and rebuilding our military are top priorities. Given congressman mulvaneys record on defense spending, i continue to have concerned, though, about his nomination. Lets turn to business where snapchats Parent Company officially filed for an ipo yesterday. Lisa joins us live from lon do. Weve looked at the companys earnings and losses from 2015 to 2016. The numbers are astounding. Can you break it down for us . Theyre really astounding. And keeping in mind this is one of the most anticipated ipos of 2017. When looking at these figures youll note for 2015 you saw a net revenue figure near 60 million. Compared to 2016, 404 million. A net loss of around 370 million versus a net loss in 2016 a year later of over 500 million. And the same goes for the operating loss. Operating loss a year ago of 380 million or so and an operates loss a year further ahead in 2016 of 520 million. What this means and what snapchat has told us is that they might actually never achieve or maintain profitabili profitability. Theyve ouined ts loss of around half a billion dollars for 2016. Its interesting to see in terms of valuations. Theyre also saying theyre going to be the first Public Offering in the u. S. To issue whats called only nonvoting shares. What that means is theyll be controlling all of the shareholder decisions. So its going to be a really interesting ipo in term os v the buying and popularity of it. Let me move on and talk about whats going on with uber as well. Because the uber ceo has quit President Trumps group. He stated that joining this Business Advisory group never meant to be an endorsement of the president and his orders. But theres been a whole lot of pressure on him from activists and from employees. Many of whom at uber are immigrants themselves. Have a fantastic weekend, louis. You too. Thanks so much. Alex . All right. We are learning new information about what happened in a prison when inmates took several guards hostage after a tense 19hour standoff authorities stormed that building and eventually regabed control. But then discovered the body of a corrections officer inside. Ron allen reports. Reporter it began just after 10 30 wednesday morning. Inmates armed with sharp instruments seized four hostages. They reached out to a newspaper to explain their motive. Donald trump, everything that he did. All the things hes doing now, we know its going to change for the worse. Reporter they also listed demands. Education. We want Education First and foremost. Reporter just before 2 30, one hostage released. At 8 00 p. M. , another hostage released. And around 11 00 p. M. Three workers hiding in the basement made a daring escape to the of. Afr five tactical teams broke in and took back control. Why did you breach when you did . It was a combination of things. We knew we had one hostage we believed was still alive because there was some communication to verify that. And we had another hostage Sergeant Lloyd we had no contact with. Reporter inside, officials discovered the body of steven floyd, a 16year veteran of the department. An honor guard for the fallen officer. Officer steven floyd sr. Saved lived yesterday. Reporter the surviving hostage, patricia may a counselor at the prison for 45 years. There were inmates that actually shielded this victim and ensured her safety. Reporter investigators consider at least 120 inmates suspects. As they try to figure out how this could have happened. Ron allen, nbc news, delaware. And theres new reporting this morning on the question surrounding that white house statement on the holocaust that never made reference to the jewish people. The state department drafted its own statement to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day which included the mention of the jews killed that they thought the white house was going to use. They never asked the state department to draft a statement and never knew it existed until the white house released its own. Sean spicer defended the statement saying he doesnt regret the omission. Still ahead, reports that the Trump Administration is appearing to smack iran with a new set of sanctions. And when the president went to visit a slain soldier, ivanka was next to him. People asking wheres the first lady . Thats next. vo do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; rage, rage against the dying of the light. Do not go gentle into that good night. Listerine® kills 99 of bad breath germs. This is 100 useful for a 100 fresh mouth. Just ask listerine® users. The very people we studied in the study of bold. People who are statistically more likely to stand up to a bully. Do a yoga handstand. And be in a magicians act. Listerine® kills 99 of bad breath germs so you can feel 100 in life. Bring out the bold™. Also try listerine® pocketpaks for fresh breath on the go. Welcome back, everyone. Its time now for a look at some of the mornings top stories. Nbc news has confied the Trump Administration could hit iran with new sanctions over its Ballistic Missile tests as early as today. When asked about the possibility of military action, the president said, quote, nothing is off the table. This after the National Security adviser warned iran earlier this week that it was, quote, on notice. Were also following developing news out of pasadena, california. Searching for a man who threw a homemade explosive device into a crowded restaurant while people were eating. The man opened the door of the Cheesecake Factory last night after 6 00 p. M. , lit the device, threw it inside and ran away. It landed under an empty table and nobody was hurt. Another protest at yet another campus over a speaker. Scheduled to speak at an event organized by a republican group. Before the speech began, protesters gathered outside the building with mcginniss was to appear. He was hit with pepper spray, in fact, on his way inside. This according to a university spokesman. Shortly after the speech began, people began cursing at him and shoving until a fight broke out. Several people were reportedly arrested. Lets get a check now on your weather with bill karins. I hope its nothing as volatile as all that. Not even close. Super bowl weekend looks nice for the festivities in houston. All is the action out here in the west with the big storm, well continue to watch the heavy mountain snows. Heres the rainfall through sunday. The pinkish and red color, thats 4 to 5 inches of rain. When we get to the mountains, a lot of that will be snow in the cascades. The worst forecast this morning is in the portland, oregon, area. Snow to freezing rain. Eventually it will turn over to all rain. Heres the snow forecast. Three feet across the highest elevations. Everyone in the east grab the hats, the gloves f the kids this morning. Temperatures are very cold. Windchill is about zero to Single Digits throughout the great lakes. Negative numbers in the lower plains. Now, we are going to warm it up slowly this weekend. Heres todays forecast. Again, chilly in the great lakes. Best weather by far. Georgia down here and areas of florida. If you look at the west, we start to get a warm up on saturday. Still very chilly on saturday. Areas of the east. But again, theres no snow and no rain so theres really no complaints. Then for super bowl sunday. It gets warm. 70s and 50s all the way up to st. Louis. 72 in d. C. Again. The cold shot is in and then its out. As far as the super bowl forecast goes, they do have the retractable roof there in houston. They can do what they please. Temperature will be about 71 degrees. Mostly cloudy skies. Nice for everyone down there in the houston area. No problems whatsoever, louis. Theyve got to retractable roof but theyre not going to need it. 71 degrees i dont know if theyll open it or close it. Whatever they choose. I cant wait. The white house says the office of the first lady is beginning to come into shape as questions continue to swirl about melania trumps role. This week ms. Trump named her chief of staff. A position normally filled before inauguration day. The former director of fashion week at Lincoln Center who planned President Trumps inaugural festivities was named as Senior Adviser to the first lady as well. However, two others social secretary and Communications Director have yet to be filled. This news comes after several reports claiming the first lady is thinking about staying in new york permanently. The administration has pushed back on these reports saying she has every intention to move into the white house after baron finishes the school year. The first lady says shes excited about putting together her team in a statement, quote, its been an honor to take on e respbility othe position of the first lady with its long history as an important representative of the president , our family, and the traditions of our nation around the world. You know, shes already talked about being an advocate for cyber bullying. We hope shell take that on and more. And for all of you, well be right back. Silhouette briefs. Featuring a comfortable sleek fit. As a dancer, ive learned you cant have any doubts. Because looking good on stage is one thing. But real confidence comes from feeling good out there. Get a free sample at depend. Com. This morning defense secretary attorney james mattis is in tokyo as his trip across asia continues. Nbc news correspondent janice with us. Good morning to you. Already on this trip, general mattis is trying to send a strong message to kim jongun in north korea. Reporter well, hes also trying to give assurances to key u. S. Allies in the region that if north korea were to use Nuclear Weapons, there would be a very strong response. Heres what he had to say. Americas commitment to defending our allies and to upholding our extended deterrents guarantees remains ironclad. Any attack on the United States or on our allies will be defeated in any use of Nuclear Weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming. Reporter general mattis made the comments on his visit to south korea. Hes also visiting japan. These are two key u. S. Allies in asia who are also very nervous about where they stand with President Trump. In the past the president has made comments that these countries should be paying more for the security assurances they get fro the United States. So now officials like many officials around the world are trying to determine what extent those comments will translate into policy. That general mattis made asia his first foreign trip implies that asia will be a focal point for u. S. Foreign policy in the future. He was using words like united and enduring, steadfast in trying to describe the relationships here. A relationship that japan has announced it would like to bolster. They also discussed the terminal High Altitude area Defense System known as thaad. This is meant to counter Ballistic Missiles from north korea. It is to have it deployed on south koreas soil by the end of the year. But it is strongly opposed by china. They reiterated today that it threatens chinas own defense and will do nothing to ease tension on the peninsula. Given that Nuclear Plant thats up in operations there in north korea with the ability to advance plutonium, certainly a major, major concern. Thank you so much. When we come back, a look at the stories happening and the day ahead. Growing the economy, with the help of the lowest taxes in decades, a talented workforce, and worldclass innovations. Like in plattsburgh, where the most advanced transportation is already en route. And in corning, where the future is materializing. Let us help grow your companys tomorrow today at esd. Ny. Gov how to win at business. Step one suck on and point decisively with the arm of your glasses. 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Imagine where it will take you. President trump this morning was the Main Attraction at the National Prayer breakfast in washington, d. C. Its an annual event organized by the Fellowship Foundation which is a christian organization. All the president s go to it. Its one of the things they do. This is what he had to say to kick off this morning of prayer. We had tremendous success on the apprentice. And when i ran for president , i had to leave the show. Thats when i knew for sure i was doing it. And they hired a big, big movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger to take my place. The ratings went right down the tube. Its been a total disaster. I want to just pray for arnold, if we can, for those ratings. Never heard that passage from the bible before. Is that corinthians . Whats better than a trump schwarzenegger rivalry, right . Not much. Anyway, weve got morning joe. Before we get to the show, a check on the stories youll hear in the day ahead. President trump set to meet with his Economic Advisory group. Ceos there include elon musk and jamie dimon. Meanwhile, Joaquin El Chapo guzman is set to be in court. Would appear in court by video at first. That was overtushed after his lawyers contested. He faces the possibility of life in prison. This is always great. Hastyuniversitys Hasty Pudding Theatrical Society to honor Ryan Reynolds as their man the year. Its so fun the dressing up. Its great. We got to get right to it. That is a wrap for this friday. Happy friday morning joe, right now. When i ran for president , i had to leave the show. Thats when i knew for sure i was doing it. And they hired a big, big movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to take my place. And we know how that turned out. The ratings went right down the tubes. Its been a total disaster and mark will never, ever bet against trump again and i want