He was defending a trip he took to wimbledon which the inspector general, hes one of many cabinet members here, who is doing some unauthorized and expensive flights. But he also says that he was actually being railroaded by other members of this administration who had strong disagreements with him on the privatization of some medical services at the va. This is how he explained it this morning to npr. As you said, there are Many Political appointees in the va that believe that we are moving in the wrong direction or werent moving fast enough towards privatizing the va. As ive always said, i think that its essential for National Security and for the country that we honor our commitment by having a strong va. I was not against reforming va, but i was against privatization, and i think that it was really the political appointees that were trying to undermine our efforts at va. So this really speaks, brianna, to the level of dysfunction that has, indeed, been rising month by month in this
U. S. And iran awaiting the edge of war and the president struck a deescalation of the tension. Finally, to the people and leaders of iran, we want you to have a future and a great future, one that you deserve, one of prosperity at home and harmony, with the nations of the world, the United States is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it. Our correspondents are fanned out across the region, where they have covered the lead up to this moment as only cnn can. We are live now from iran to baghdad, to washington, and lets begin now at the white house where Kaitlan Collins is live for us. You were in the room for the president s address this morning. He did not order a military response but iran is not going unpunished for its missile strikes aimed at bases and houses at u. S. Troops in iraq. Tell us about the president s next move. Reporter for five days the president threatened the u. S. Would retaliate if iran hit americans or american assets. The president signaled there is not go
Out Democratic Women of color. Also a republican politician wont let a female reporter cover his campaign unless she has a male sham roane. Chaperone. We begin with louisianas state of emergency and the millions of people threatened by Tropical Storm barry. Storm surge, hurricaneforce winds and up to 15 inches of rain are forecast across the state in this makes landfall. Officials there are preparing for worstcase scenarios. Some local parish president s have already issued mandatory evacuation orders. Lets get to Natasha Cohen who is live for us in new orleans. What is the greatest concern for this storm, natasha . Reporter well, brianna, right now its that rain risk that were talking about. 10 to 15 inches through sunday. And right now were expecting the Mississippi River to rise to about 19 feet. Its currently at about 16 feet. Were on a levee right now so you can see the problem is that we have an unprecedented combination here. This year weve seen record high flooding causing the
Ukraine to investigate his political rival joe biden. Democrats hope the closeddoor hearing will shed light on what role Rudy Giuliani played in influencing the ukraine government. He is no longer the trump russian adviser at the time of the call with the president but according to the new york times, part of her testimony today is expected to include that giuliani was running a shadow diplomacy effort in ukraine. House republicans blasting House Intel Committee chairman adam schiff for issuing a subpoena to hill despite her willingness to testify. She was going to come and agreed to come voluntarily but hes going to subpoena her, i believe, so he could ask certain questions and keep those secret except for the certain things that he wants to leak. Reporter one official working on the inquiry tells cnn the subpoena was necessary because the white house has prevented so many witnesses from testifying. This as a slew of deadlines for Administration Officials to hand over documents hits t