Mitchell reports, more drama on the house floor this hour. Louisiana republican mike johnson, an Lection Denier who helped craft the objections on january 6, he is next in line, chosen last night by the republicans in a private meeting when a more experienced lawmaker, tom emmer, failed just because of Donald Trumps opposition. In the israel hamas war, back channel negotiations continue for the terror group to free more of the 200 hostages still being held. International pressure is growing on israel for humanitarian ceasefire to stop air strikes. Jordans Foreign Minister from a speech at the u. N. Will join me as well as israels government advisor. President biden hosting a state visitor. The Prime Minister of australia, a major u. S. Military and intelligence ally, with a red carpet welcome on the south lawn and a News Conference this afternoon. We are starting with israel against hamas terrorism. We are standing with ukraine against putins tyranny. Democracy can deliver. Good day, e
New u. S. Intel jligence and complex tunnel system under gaza. More lost and legal blows to come. Mark meadows has been granted immunity to testify in the federal subversion case. Meadows reported there was no evidence of fraud, telling prosecutors trump was dishonest. And theres more. Trumps former attorney is back on the stand soon. This is for the civil trial against him. Former president expected to be there again. Im kate baldwin with john be berman. This is cnn news central. This morning, is the fifth time a charm . Were seeing if mike johnson from louisiana will end up as speaker of the house in the next few hours. This could unfold before our eyes after a chaotic three weeks that saw Kevin Mccarthy booted from the speakers chair. Steve scalise get the no, maam nalgs and drop out before a full house vote. Jim jordan get the nomination but lose several house votes. Tom emmer, he got the nomination and lasted four hours. Its Mike Johnsons turn. He may be the last man standing. How
Statement visit. There you see the live images from the white house where in just moments the president will greet the Prime Minister of australia. Also in washington, fourth times the charm. The house could vote as early as noon today on their latest speaker designee. Who is mike johnson and can he succeed where three others failed . Thanks so much for joining us. Its 10 00 eastern, im Ana Cabrera Reporting from new york, and we begin with the breaking news at the white house where we are about to see President Biden welcome the Prime Minister of australia, and this is an official state visit with a world leader, and hence, all of this pomp and circumstance, its happening as the tensions build in the middle east right now. You see these live pictures from gaza where we see Smoke Billowing once again from air strikes. The calls growing for a cease fire now in this war between israel and hamas. But lets start with nbc news senior White House Correspondent Gabe Gutierrez whos standing by
Mr. Speaker mr. Speaker, you may agree with this, but we are back here 22 days into this republican manufactured chaos and House Republicans have brought us to the exact same position that we were back then. All of the infighting, all of the disarray, just to end up where we were three weeks ago. These past few weeks we have been left wondering if republicans were truly intent on solving our issues, reopening the house of representatives and rallying around someone to lead this chamber, or has this been about Something Else . Has this been about a focus of House Republicans to find the person who can pass their extreme litmus test to oppose marriage equality, enact a nationwide abortion ban without exceptions, gut Social Security and medicare, and support overturning a free and fair election. Its a fair question. Its a fair question. [ applause ] nowhere nowhere in that Candidate Questionnaire is it about growing the middle class, helping our communities, keeping the cost of Health Car
So hes been representing the louisiana Congressional District now since 2016. Hes in the leadership, but hes not too high in the leadership. So hes the vice chair of the House Republican conference. Heres the other big thing. He served on trumps first Senate Impeachment trial defense team. Hes a defender of donald trump, and we can see that in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, so what we see is that johnson, in fact, had drafted the house gop legal brief supporting the texas suit. And he objected to Certifying The 2020 Election Results. Now perhaps theres some interesting sort of back and forth. Perhaps some republicans want to forget about it. Lets look back and compare it to now. We have a solemn responsibility today, we must vote to sustain objections to states of electors smutted by states that we genuinely believe clearly violated the constitution and the president ial election of 2020. This is the threshold before us, and its an issue before us for the state of arizona.