Rachel Maddow takes a look at the days top political news stories. James comey. It also only mize if the case in question is closely connected to politics. Thats whats important about the big new development. The Wall Street Journal was first on report in detail on the type of charges that federal prosecutors may be considering against the president s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. If it is kregt, the charges he is facing from prosecutors are not related to politics at all. At least not at face value. In quote, previously unreported developments, federal prosecutors in new york are examining whether mr. Cohen committed tax fraud. Quote, federal authorities are assessing whether his income from his. At Ai Medallion Business was underreported. That includes hundred of thousands received in cash and other payments over the last five years. In addition, federal authorities have been investigating whether he made misrepresentations or
false statements on lone applications including whether
The latest news from around the world with hosts John Berman and Poppy Harlow. Or attempt to do either a thing of value from a Foreign National. So arguably, a meeting sought to receive something of value from a Foreign National as a contribution would violate that statute. And then second, title 18, section 371, which is the conspiracy to defraud, the possibility is that the prosecutors could look at this meeting and the events surrounding it and say this was a conspiracy to deprive the federal Election Commission of an honest and fair election. And that violates that title 18 statute. So there are two statutes to answer jays, you know, Rhetorical Question that could apply. But i wanted to add one thing, which is, this is, in fact, poppy, the first, you know, Public Statement by the president about this meeting, as shimon indicates. But my recollection is that in the production of information from the white house to the Special Counsel back in july, they did send a letter
indicating t
A look at breaking news, politics and reports from Around The World. No hint of their conditions or demands. Hes got all honestly he has all of the information that he needs. The interview will Pronide Nothing in addition to what he already has. Reporter he said the probe should be finished by September 1st but the time line is up to mueller and not giuliani. For months they have sought to limit facetoface questions about obstruction of justice. A Key Point Of Mueller Inquiry the president repeatedly rails against. That is a total witch hunt. Reporter the president out of public view again at his new jersey golf club. But keeping a close eye on the fraud trial of his former Campaign Chairman paul manafort. But tension inside of the virginia courtroom with judge ellis telling a Government Prosecutor to hurry things along. As a concession to the shortness of life, we need to get it done. Also today the Senate Intelligence committee calling on wikileaks founder Julian Assange to make hims
Exploring issues that affect leaders in the U. S. And around the globe. Howard fineman, an nbc news analyst who spent his tuesday in judge ellis courtroom marveling at Paul Manaforts wardrobe. Anyway, mimi, let me start with you. Define Obstruction Of Justice and is it something that has to be done in secret for it to be a crime . Sure, chuck. I want to answer the second part first. It does not have to be done in secret. The definition of Obstruction Of Justice, there are different prongs of it, depending on whether youre trying to interfere with witnesses or tamper with evidence. Its basically trying to impede an investigation corruptly, with corrupt intent, which simply could mean youre trying to stop an investigation because you dont like that that investigation is zeroing in on you or your close friends, so it cant be it has to be for a bad purpose and those would be bad purposes. And thats why this tweet right now looks so incriminating because whats happening you believe its very
Hello again, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. Im Fredricka Whitfield in washington, d. C. Its the meeting that just wont go away. More than two years later, the story is still evolving on the in infamous 2016 trump tower meeting. President trump now taking a firm stance on the true purpose of the meeting, tweeting, in fact, today, this was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics and it went nowhere. That message very far from the initial statement from donald trump jr. That we later learned was dictated by President Trump himself, saying this, we primarily discussed a program about the adoption of russian children, with no mention of dirt on Hillary Clinton. So this shift comes as sources tell cnn the president is concerned about his son becoming entangled in the russia probe. Cnns white house correspondent
wrong. Reporter while the white house has had difficulty sticking to the script, the president maintained again in that