Good morning, im gigi stone, were at msnbc headquarters in new york. Alex witt is off. Its 6 00 a. M. In the east 9 00 a. M. In the west. I want you folks to not think i am keeping my promise. I am keeping my opinion promise, signing it before christmas. President trump crowing about the tax bill. Wing will at whether some claims about it are true or false. Plus the missed opportunities in the tax deal, one experts take on where it can go wrong, how it can do damage in the long run facing questions, the questions longtime gate keeper entangled in the russia investigation. But who is she . And why do congressional investigators want to talk to her . Robert mueller on the firing line, new gop efforts to discred at this time special counsel and whether theyre orchestrated. Details next on nsnbc live next, President Trump and the first family getting a start on their tenday vacation at the maralago estate in florida. Before leaving, the president uses the signing ceremony to attack democra
Cnn White House Correspondent Jeremy Diamond joins me from where the president is spending his thanksgiving Holiday Weekend in West Palm Beach. Jeremy, the white house says theyre reviewing the white house invitation letters from jerry nadler we just lost the connection there with jeremy and will try to get that back up. I want to see if we have our league team that has been standing by all right. Well get back to them. While the Judiciary Committee takes the lead on impeachment this coming week, the House Intelligence Committee is finishing a report detailing allegations that could become the basis for articles of impeachment. Cnns tom foreman shows us some of the evidence that they have to work with. Reporter spring 2019. As Vladimir Zelensky is winning ukraine an ambassador to that country is losing her job. Maria yovanovitch according to testimony called home following a months long severe campaign suggesting she was disloyal to President Trump. Behind it, trumps personal attorney,
Dozens and current officials, mr. Trumps demands sent shockwaves through the white house and the pentagon where opposition to the order was more intense than previously known. The times reports that in an oval office meeting, National Security adviser john bolton, defense secretary mark esper, and secretary of state mike pompeo tried and failed to convince the president to release the aid. Were also learning that by late summer, the white house was still trying to develop a legal justification to keep the aid frozen. The proposed argument was that mr. Trumps role as commander in chief would simply allow him to override congress on the issue. At the same time though it appears that white house budget official Michael Duffey was ready to blame the white house for the hold up. Duffy emailed the pentagon suggesting any failure to release the aid should not rest with the white house. But in a stinging rejection, a pentagon official shot back with this you cant be serious. I am speechless. L
And secretary of state mike pompeo tried and failed to convince the president to release the aid. Were also learning that by late summer, the white house was still trying to develop a legal justification to keep the aid frozen. The proposed argument was that mr. Trumps role as commander in chief would simply allow him to override congress on the issue. At the same time though it appears that white house budget official Michael Duffey was ready to blame the white house for the hold up. Duffy emailed the pentagon suggesting any failure to release the aid should not rest with the white house. But in a stinging rejection, a pentagon official shot back with this you cant be serious. I am speechless. Late today, Senate Minority leader said the recording further highlights the need for witnesses to testify at the president s trial. Simply put, in our fight to have key documents and witnesses in the Senate Impeachment trial, these new revelations are a game changer. The story makes the choice
Even bother. How so . We know that republican senator Lindsey Graham wants the impeachment process to, quote, die quickly. And the majority leader, Mitch Mcconnell, also said the impeachment case will be dead on arrival. One way or another, history will be made this week, and both sides are digging in. Also on tonights show, the next democratic lineup is set, but as you can see here, there will be no black or brown faces on that stage. Well talk to a supporter of mayor buttigieg, Pete Buttigieg, and ask about how he plans to earn the trust of black voters. And later, reverend Jesse Jackson will join me live in studio. He has a new book coming out that you all have to read. But of course well get things started with impeachment and the upcoming house vote. Joining me to discuss that is someone who will be voting on the articles of impeachment this week, democratic congresswoman karen bass. Shes a member of the Judiciary Committee and the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus. Co