The latest Political Developments of the day and interviews with top newsmakers are featured. We played that clip of donald trump call thing an attack on the nation. Cohen, interestingly in interviews with George Stephanopoulos and others, said the fbi was very courteous and respectful. He did not describe the raids on his home and offices as an attack on the nation. Does that seem to be more that he softened on his stance against the fbi . He seems to. I recall him saying he would take a bullet for the president. Maybe thats going into court and Pleading Guilty. But the pardon itself is a political calculation. Im not very good at that. I dont know whether hes a candidate or not. But at this point, with what he has in front of him, what he did and what he knows, he seems like hes taking the smart path, the one where he admits his guilt, sort of takes his medicine, and hopes the court will give him some consideration for that. Joyce, when you look at what lanny davis, Michael Cohens at
Coverage of national and international news, including breaking stories. To roll the dice and gamble. I think the question of a pardon is huge. And intimidating to the whole process here and the president is wise to step back and not do that because the act of that and interesting to see. The mueller team can look at that as destructive conduct. In these circumstances what is best for him and, honestly, the best thing to do is not to plead but to cooperate, as well. Reverend al sharpton who is one of the few people that Michael Cohen has reached out to to discuss where his head is at but right now where his head is at but what about exactly is going to happen. He has come to an agreement with the prosecutors in the Southern District of new york. That is not the Mueller Investigation. We need to figure out what role the Mueller Investigation is going to have in this agreement. In the end, this all has to be presented to a federal judge,
which we believe is happening in one hour from now
Manafort faces. The judge told them to get back to work though. So could it mean we are any closer to a verdict. But we start with some Breaking News. An nbc news exclusive. Former trump personal Attorney Michael Cohen is discussing a plea deal with federal prosecutors. One that could come as early as this afternoon. Thats according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke with nbc news. Tom winter is the nbc news investigations reporter who helped break the story. Our guest is a former u. S. District attorney for the Southern District of new york which is conducting the cohen investigation. Let me begin with you, tom, lay this out. What else did the sources say . How close the possibility of seeing some kind of deal emerge today . Sure. So ayman, as ellie can probably well tell you, no prosecutor counts their chickens and counts a plea deal until they have it. Then insigned. And the person is in court. I think were still a little a ways away from that, based upon
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Interviews with political figures and news updates. Interviews with political figures and news updates. The jury that there is a third option, there is guilt, there is not guilty, and there is a hung jury. The judge declined to do that and said that if the jury were to come back again and say they remain deadlocked, the judge will ask them how many counts theyve reached a verdict on. Hell then consult with the lawyers and decide whether or not to take whats called a partial verdict which means to have the jury announce those counts to which theyve reached unanimous agreement. Now, correct me if im wrong, the trials that ive covered in the past, dan, and youre the lawyer and former prosecutor, a judge will only repeat that allen charge so many times, or else risk, you know, being overturned on appeal if it ends up being a conviction, that east putting too much pressure on a deadlocked jury. Youre exactly right, andrea. Even the judge mentioned that his objective was not to be coercive t
Business news and analysis. Violations. It could land him in prison from 35 years. Mercedes, that issue will come up whether mr. Cohen has decided to do this to get at this out of the way and hope and pray for a pardon down the road. Certainly what our calling is done as wonder if they are going to get cooperation. Frankly, they could have a discussion with mueller later on and find out what he knew. Whether President Trump knew of the meeting and what the meeting was taking place. And the payment to Stormy Daniels. Whether the president knew about either of them. And, of course he has come forward and said, look, i think you did know. The backandforth can whether there are some continuation of discussion with mueller is left to be seen. He is without a doubt looking at
something down the road. No lawyer wants to sit, even with that, no lawyer wants to sit in 35 years. That is a significant amount of time. Neil the former doj prosecutor, still better than what he could have made. The p