Who died after going to the dentist to get her wisdom teeth pulled. And the american tourist attacked and killed by a shark. Good evening. And its great to have you with us here on a monday night. And we begin with President Trump and his words for Michael Flynn, after his former initial security adviser pleaded guilty to lying to the fbi. Now cooperating with Robert Mueller. The president now saying, i feel badly for general flynn, going on to say of the fbi and flynn, that they destroyed his life. And tonight, the president and a new legal strategy from his team. Arguing a president cannot obstruct justice. Abcs chief White House CorrespondentJonathan Karl leading us off. Reporter at the white house today, the president offered words of sympathy for his former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn. Well, i feel badly for general flynn. I feel very badly. Hes led a very strong life. Reporter over the weekend, a decidedly different tone from the president , when he was asked if he stands behind flynn. Do you stand by Michael Flynn sir . Well see what happens. Reporter flynns plea bargain is a big red flag for the white house. He has agreed to cooperate fully with special counsel Robert Mueller. I think what were beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice. Reporter the president seems determined to undermine that case, by slamming the fbi, tweeting that its reputation is, quote, in tatters, worst in history. I will say this, Hillary Clinton lied many times to the fbi. Nothing happened to her. Flynn lied and they destroyed his life. I think its a shame. Ts very unfair. Reporter former fbi director james comey has testified that he had no reason to believe clinton lied to the fbi. He is defending the agency he once led, quoting his own words to congress, after he was fired by President Trump. I want the American People to know this truth. The fbi is honest. The fbi is strong. And the fbi is, and always will be, independent. Reporter over the weekend, the president s own story seemed to change. He has said before that he fired general flynn because he lied to the Vice President. But this weekend he tweeted, quote, i had to fire general flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the fbi. That tweet could become a problem. The president had not previously acknowledged knowing flynn lied to the fbi when he fired him. James comey says trump urged him to drop any investigation into flynn, a possible obstruction of justice if the president knew at the time that flynn had committed the crime of lying to the fbi. Now, the president s personal lawyer, john dowd, said it was he who wrote the president s tweet. But it has not been disavowed by the white house. And the president continues to deny that he ever asked comey to go easy on Michael Flynn. And jon karl with us tonight from the white house. And jon, the president s lawyer saying he wrote that tweet from the president s account. That got a lot of attention, tweeting for the president. Now, the lawyer says, im out of the tweeting business, i did not mean to break news. But in the meantime, jon, the president s lawyers are going with a new legal strategy tonight when it comes to obstruction of justice . Reporter the president s lawyer is arguing that the president , because of the nature of his job as the head of the executive branch, cannot, by definition, commit obstruction of justice. David, its a variation of nixons line that if the president does it, its not illegal. Jon karl at the white house tonight. Jon, thank you. And you heard jon report there that the president s lawyer is now making this new argument that a president cannot obstruct justice. The president s lawyer john dowd saying the president cannot obstruct justice because he is the chief Law Enforcement officer and has every right to express his view of any case. Lets bring in dan abrams for the bottom line on this. Ive been reading what legal scholars are writing all day on this. Everything from this is absurd to, hes got a point here. Reporter its a little bit of both. Its not credible to argue that the president simply cant obstruct justice no matter what the facts are. But he may have a point that just the firing of james comey alone wouldnt be obstruction of justice, because thats within the per view of the president. I think its fair to say theyre going to need more than what we know today to file an obstruction charge. But a lot of people are going to be scratching their heads tonight, because president s who have faced impeachment have faced obstruction of justice charges. The articles of itmpeachment against clinton and nixon do. But you heard the president s lawyer in the last 24 hours saying that a president cannot obstruct justice. Reporter well, this hasnt been addressed in the criminal context at all. But as you point out, with nixon, it never made its way to the congress. With clinton, he wasnt convicted by the senate. This is clearly a strategy by President Trumps team as they prepare for the next phase of this case, and there are a lot of unanswered legal questions when it comes to the president. All right, dan abrams, our thanks to you. And one more development tonight involving the special counsel, Robert Muellers team tonight. A veteran fbi agent who was removed from the russia investigation. We learned that Robert Mueller removed peter struck back in august after learning he had sent potentially antitrump text messages. Abc news has confirmed that struck played a key role in how then fbi director james comey announced the results of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Recommending that comey describe clintons actions as, quote, extremely careless, rather than, quote, grossly negligent. Now, the significance is that is a felony to mishandle classified information in a grossly negligent way. We turn next tonight to roy moore, the Senate Candidate in alabama. Tonight, the president fully putting his weight behind moore. Even amid allegations of Sexual Misconduct from eight women. The president now saying, i like a fighter, go get them, roy. Heres abcs Senior National correspondent tom llamas tonight. Reporter on air force one, President Trump made it official. Calling roy moore to endorse him. Even though moore has been accused of molesting teenage girls. Moore tweeting the president told him go get them, roy. Eight women have accused moore of a range of inappropriate behavior, including sexual assault. He basically laid out some blankets on the floor of his li living room and proceeded to seduce me. I was a 14yearold child trying to play in an adults world and he was 32 years old. Reporter the president has expressed doubts. Roy moore denies it. Thats all i can say. He denies it. And by the way, he totally denies it. Reporter but Senate Majority leader mitch mcconnell, at first, quick to side with moores accusers. Roy moore should step aside. The women who have come forward with entirely credible. Hes obviously not fit to be in the United States senate. Reporter now, mcconnell has changed his tune. Do you believe that judge moore should be in the senate . I would let the people of alabama make the call. Reporter moore has denied all accusations of Sexual Misconduct. Campaigning almost exclusively in chaurches to rally evangelicl vot voters. Today, moore tweet, thankful for President Trumps is up important. Cant wait to help him. Tom llamas covering this campaign for us. And tom, the election just one week away. So far, no plans for the president to travel to alabama to campaign for roy moore . Reporter thats right, david. But on friday night, the president will be in pensacola, florida. Thats so close to the alabama border, it is actually part of the mobile media market. The Moore Campaign says they welcome that impact, because the president s people are judge moores people. David . Tom llamas, thank you. Next, to your money, your taxes, and the president s tax plan. The Senate Passing it at 2 00 a. M. Saturday morning. There is no pressing deadline here, but republicans in congress are furiously working to get this done before christmas, as the president has asked. But at what cost . With changes to the bill handwritten, even in the margins. And tom here, a reality check. Who benefits most . Abcs mary bruce back on the hill for us. Reporter tonight, republicans still relishing their latenight victory on tax reform. The tax cut and jobs act has passed. Reporter while democrats are reeling, outraged over what they say was a rushed process. Theyre sending around their edits as we speak. Reporter edits scribbled in the margins. Can you tell me what that word is . Reporter and now comes the hard part hammering out the differences between the senate and house versions. The bill is the most Sweeping Change to the nations tax code in 30 years. Republicans are promising relief to the middle class, but most americans earning less than 75,000 a year are projected to pay more over the next ten years. While in 2027, one analysis says the top 1 would receive 62 of the benefit. For weeks, republicans have been downplaying these estimates. Economic forecasting has been just about as accurate as those late night psychic hotlines. You see them advertised after the tonight show. Reporter and there are serious questions about to pay for all this. Republicans insist Economic Growth will cover the cost of the plan. But two estimates say it will 1 trillion or more to the deficit over the next decade. Even a conservative estimate puts it at over 500 billion. This, after republicans have railed for years against adding to the deficit. We have to get our debt under control before we move further down the road. Reporter you are confident this bill will pay for itself . Oh, yeah, and then some. And if im wrong, like every other republican, well pay a price. Mary bruce live on the hill for us tonight. And mary, as you reported, republicans say this plan will pay for itself. We just heard it from senator graham there, even though analysises say it will not, including a Nonpartisan Committee that republicans have relied on before. That Committee Says it will cost 1 trillion. And were learning about the republicans efforts to discredit that committee . Reporter david, republicans have been circulating talking points that aim to undercut that estimate. Questioning the timing and substance of that report. Republicans insist these numbers are simply not accurate. All right, the deadline far closer tonight than the tax plan, is this possible government shutdown, mary. Congress working to avoid a shutdown by the end of this week, and youve learned that Chuck Schumer and nancy pelosi have accepted an invitation to the white house after that meeting fell apart last week . Reporter david, Democratic Leaders canceled that meeting to the president after he tweeted there was no deal to be made here. Now, that meeting is back on for this thursday. As for the looming deadline, Republican Leaders insist there will be no shutdown. David . A very busy week ahead. Mary, thank you. Next, to the security tonight, clearing the way for President Trumps travel ban, even as it is being challenged in federal courts. The ruling allowed the administration to fully enforce the ban on travel to the United States by residents of six mostly muslim countries. This week, the ninth circuit and the Fourth Circuit will hear arguments challenging the bans legality. After they decide, the case will return to the Supreme Court for a final decision. We turn to other news tonight, and a 17yearold High School Senior is back home in florida after allegedly being lured on a 1,000mile trek from home by a 27yearold soccer coach. Police catching up with the pair in upstate new york. And today, the daughter standing beside her parents as the family spoke out. Abcs linzie janis in florida. Reporter standing side by side, clinging to their daughter, the parents of 17yearold kate lynn frisina relieved she is back home in florida, after disappearing with a soccer coach from her high school. We are looking forward to a very Merry Christmas and an extremely Bright Future for caitlyn. Reporter the coach, rian rodriguez, who once gave frisina private soccer lessons, now awaiting extradition on felony charges of interfering with the custody of a minor. There are indicators that there was a relationship that started in august or september. Reporter according to a police affidavit, before the pair disappeared, friends of frisina say she texted them saying rodriguez wants her to leave the country with him and she was scared. Frisina later climbing out her bedroom window after erasing her phone. Her father telling police he took the sim card from that phone and discovered lewd snapchat messages she exchanged with rodriguez. The pair on the run for nearly a week, spotted twice on surveillance cameras in south and north carolina, before being detained friday in new york, less than 100 miles from the canadian border. David, rodriguez has not yet entered a plea, but the Police Investigation isnt over. So, he could face additional charges. David . Linzie janis, thank you. Next, to that proposed megamerger that could bring major changes to health care. Cvs offering to buy aetna health insurance, to become a onestop shop for Americans Health care. You could get a checkup from a doctor there and your prescription right there at the store. Federal regulators tonight must still approve that merger. Next, Winter Weather alerts in eight states at this hour. A storm heading east across the country. Plunging temperatures for much of the country this week. Blizzard conditions in the northern plains. Snow and wind closing schools in north dakota. We knew it was coming. Meteorologist rob marciano tracking it all for us. Hey, rob. Reporter hey, david. Nearly everybody east of the rockies going to deal with a massive temperature swing. Right now, blizzard conditions up in minnesota and parts of the dakotas and severe thunderstorms across the cold front from recordbreaking high temperatures from kansas city up through minneapolis. The rain and the warmth will squeeze east. That cold air, its going to feel 50 degrees colder in minneapolis. The heaviest snows around the lake. The cold air is going to expand to the south and east and by thursday morning, boston, all the way down to mississippi, temperatures will feel like theyre below freezing. Near zero in minneapolis. Cold stuff, david. Rob, thank you. Overseas tonight, a massive show of force in asia. The u. S. And south korea conducting simulated war drills tonight with hundreds of aircraft, including american stealth jets. It comes days after north korea test fired its most powerful missile yet. North korea saying it is those drills that are bringing the peninsula, quote, to the brink of nuclear war. There is still much more ahead on world news tonight this monday. The american tourist killed by a shark. The skcuba diving trip turning deadly. There is also news tonight about the death of that missing toddler. The suspect in court today. And the multimillion Dollar Settlement involving a daughter who died after going to the dentist to get her wisdom teeth pulled. 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Parents suing the dentist for the death of their daughter, who died after going to have her wisdom teeth pulled. Heres abcs Adrienne Bankert tonight. Reporter sydney galleger was a vibrant, active 17yearold. The competitive diver and skier died in 2015 after going into cardiac arrest while under general anesthesia while getting her wisdom teeth pulled. Sydneys parents sued the dentist, dr. Paul tombach, alleging negligence and dangerous actions. The family alleged that during the surgery her heart rate dropped dramatically, she had no pulse and became unresponsive. She was declared brain dead at the hospital a week after that routine dental procedure. The family ultimately settling out of court for 2 million. Dr. Tombach did not admit wrongdoing and after a temporary suspension, he had his license reinstated. The American Dental Association says parents should always ask, will my child be conscious or unconscious during the procedure . And, david, the ada also says to ask for instructions and Emergency Contact information if there are any concerns or complications after surgery. David . Adrienne, thank you. When we come back here tonight, the new headline in the death of that missing toddler. The suspect, the americmothers boyfriend, in court today. And the american tourist killed in a deadly shark attack. Where this played out after the break. Thats it . Yeah. Everybody two seconds dear sebastian, after careful consideration of your application, it is with great pleasure that we offer our congratulations on your acceptance. Through the Tuition Assistance program, every day mcdonalds helps more people go to college. Its part of our commitment to being americas best first job. Aleve direct therapy. The only remote controlled tens device thats drug free, wire free for deep penetrating lower back pain relief. And now get aleve direct therapy. Available at walmart. Turns out things arent always take guinea pigs. Ey are. 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Ready for a chance at 100 clear skin . Ask your doctor about taltz today. And go to taltz. Com to learn how to pay as little as 5 a month. To the index of other news tonight. The suspect charged in the death of a toddler in jacksonville, north carolina. The mothers boyfriend, earl kimrey, accused of killing his girlfriends daughter, hiding her body and reporting her missing. The remains of 3yearold mariah woods found in a nearby creek. He claimed to have last seen her when he saw her in the middle of the night. The deadly shark attack in costa rica. Authorities say american tourist was killed by a tiger shark while scuba diving. The shark grabbing hold of her legs. The diving instructor attacked, too. The instructor survived. President Trump Shrinking two National Monuments in utah. Skachling back bears ears by more than 80 . And the Grand Staircase escalante by nearly half. The president claiming hes, quote, reversing federal overreach. The sites spanning several million achors that contain large amounts of oil, gas and coal. Native american and environmental groups are now protesting those moves. And it took two stakes, the Pontiac Silverdome standing strong after demolition crews tried to bring it down yesterday. The con strak or the blaming a wiring issue. So, they tried again today. The explosions going off as planned and eventually reduced to a cloud of dust and debris. Didnt want to give up. When we come back on a monday night, the battle of the Christmas Lights in neighborhoods across this country. You be the judge when you see this. What is the power of pacific . Its Life Insurance and Retirement Solutions to help you reach your goals. Its having the confidence to create the future thats most meaningful to you. Its protection for generations of families, and 150 years of strength and stability. And when youre able to harness all of that, thats the power of pacific. Ask a Financial Advisor about pacific life. 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Yeah, by a crane. To me, i like my whole house filled up. I dont like to see a space. Reporter to cranberry, new jersey, and keith shaws giant christmas tree. Theres over 47,000 on this tree. Rockefeller has 45,000 on their biggest year. Reporter displays this big have been known to cause problems with neighbors. In fairfield, connecticut, police had to step in to keep the peace. Here on long island, thats not an issue. Is there a cutoff time, or there is. We are respectful. Reporter david wright, abc news, new york. Brought in by a crane. The great christmas light fight, tonight, 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Thank you for watching. Im david muir. Im david muir. I hope to see you right back no matter how you holiday, im david muir. I hope to see you right back where you holiday, or who you holiday with. Stay bright with dunkins holiday coffee flavors like brown sugar cinnamon, and peppermint mocha. Grab your favorite and make your holidays happen. The holidays run on dunkin. 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And now here is the host of jeopardy alex trebek thank you, all. Thank you, johnny. Hi, folks. Were into the season to be jolly, and our champion, lisa, has many reasons to be jolly 36,100 of them. Alice and kyle, welcome aboard, and good luck to all three of you