southern california. officials now racing against time to battle six wildfires. more than 20 million people in california yesterday picked up their phone and saw a text warning of extreme fire danger. that is a scary situation. thanks for getting an early start with us. it is friday, december 8. it is 5:00 a.m. in the east. let s begin in washington. al franken facing allegations by several women. he struck a defiant tone in his speech thursday. he suggested he s paying a price for not denying the claims earlier and more forcefully. i also think it gave some people the false impression that i was admitting to doing things that in fact i haven t done. some of the allegations against me are simply not true.
investigate sexual harassment against franks. i ve recently learned they re reviewing an inquiry with about a suggestion i had with female subordinates. i deeply regret my discussion of this in the work place caused distress. last night the house ethics panel announced pro progress in the investigation of blake that aren holt. now, one of the farenthold s republican colleagues calling on him to resign. he settled a law institute wis x taxpayer money. joining us for the very first time washington examiner editorial director. good morning. welcome to the program. nice to see you bright and early
the gold standard in washington, beneath all of these allegations, beneath all of the way in which the parties respond to them, they know that the moral position is changing, that the society and culture is at an inflexion point, but at the same time, they want to win elections and get the agenda through. there s a sort of not very discreet balancing act going on in h both parties. the fbi, given the president s recent attack when he said their reputation is in tatters. yesterday on capitol hill the director defending the reputation of the bureau, and sarah sanders pressing back and basically saying there s no difference between what the president s saying and what christopher ray is saying. listen. the fbi that i see is tens of thousands brave men and women
discussion with two subordinates. i deply regret that my discussion of this option and the process in the work place caused distress. but the day wasn t over. lags night also announcing progress in its investigation of republican congressman blake fahrenthold. the lawyer for the woman who says he sexually harassed her has i agreed to sit for an interview. another another colleague is calling on him to resign. all of this days after michigan congressman john conyers resigned from his seat. joining us for the first time today, washington examiner editorial director hugo, good morning to you. here we are. the paper s once again all about sexual harassment on capitol hill. that s perversion of justice.
on this morning. let s talk about this reckoning on capitol hill with these men who are resigning or are accused. three resigning or retiring. al franken, blake farenthold accused here. the scuttlebutt incise side washington is we could be hearing more complaints against other sitting members of congress. what do you make of this trend? and specifically, franken, was that the democrats trying to regain sort of the moral authority in this conversation? certainly the democrats are trying to make sure there s a big distinction between themselves and the republicans on this issue. they fought the last two or three elections using the slogan war on women. thee want to make sure they re in the right position on this issue. but it was very interesting to watch senatorial franken s