described in the indictment that was fuelled by lies, lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the us government, the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election. our north america correspondent nomia iqbal joins me from outside the court. what will we see on thursday? these charges as you outlined there, the department of justice believes it is held a strong case to show the former president of the us tried to select the election results of 2020 and essentially tried to overturn the policy. we mention one of the charges, conspiracy to defraud the united states, obstruct official proceedings, and others. this is the most serious indictment set by the donald trump basis, one of the most serious indictments the department ofjustice has brought against a president in terms of what they have laid out in the indictment against him. having said that, despite the seriousness of it, department ofjustice has a challenge a sense because it has to prove criminal intent, it has to prove that donald trump knowingly did they allege he did, try to subvert the election results. he really lost the election. while it's the most serious one, it can be one of the most trivial cases department ofjustice but they believe they have a watertight case against we are expected to set a former president of rain at the courthouse in washington at the courthouse in washington at 4pm stop tell us what we can expect. yes, is to appear in the courthouse behind net assets and actually or in person, he has those options has it in asked to indictments in person say expecting him to do the same stop security will be tight, is a former president so you will have secret service agents within every step away. we won't see him being fingerprinted, it won't happen again. we're sure of that. in terms of what looked like, the media. be a spectacle. the centre is a liberal city. i did see some transporters yet and a lot of those people who participated in a riot are jailed dc and officeholders iq. donald trump use this indictments he has done portable campaign. if is in his approval rating with republican voters expected to be the same. very interesting. our correspondence there nomia iqbal in washington dc. joining me live rodney davis, former republican congressman from the state of illinoisdoug as the us attorney for the northern district as the us attorney for the northern district of alabama. wa nt to want to get your thoughts on the charges you brought by the special counsel they are incredibly damning in my view. it really lays out a factual basis these charges. in this indictment and the weight brain, with a generous six committee we saw the last two or three weeks were a target letter which is the last step in an investigation before a target is invited, kind of laying these things out. it's incredible, but i gotta say, i still believe and maintain, this is a really dark day for the united states of america when you have a former president elected by the people of this country who engages in conduct like this that is now under indictment in three separate jurisdictions and looking like there will be a fourth. this is not good the united states. i hope they can get these charges behind them and get them resolved. one way or another, as soon as possible. or another, as soon as ossible. ., , , ., possible. congressmen, we had the senator _ possible. congressmen, we had the senator calling _ possible. congressmen, we had the senator calling this - possible. congressmen, we had the senator calling this a - possible. congressmen, we had the senator calling this a dark. the senator calling this a dark day for democracy. your thoughts on the significance of this indictment, also politically for the former president? i politically for the former president?— politically for the former resident? . ,, ., ., president? i agree with senator jones, president? i agree with senator jones. it's _ president? i agree with senator jones. it's a _ president? i agree with senator jones, it's a dark _ president? i agree with senator jones, it's a dark day. - president? i agree with senator jones, it's a dark day. i - president? i agree with senator jones, it's a dark day. i was - jones, it's a dark day. i was on the _ jones, it's a dark day. i was on the house floor on january six, _ on the house floor on january six. one _ on the house floor on january six. one of— on the house floor on january six, one of the darkest days in american _ six, one of the darkest days in american history. the political consequences will probably, amazingly be positive for president trump. nobody plays the victim better than president trump when you look at this— president trump when you look at this indictment and look at what — at this indictment and look at what is — at this indictment and look at what is going to have to be proven— what is going to have to be proven in_ what is going to have to be proven in the court of law, we are going _ proven in the court of law, we are going to be entertained as is the — are going to be entertained as is the world by the trial that is the world by the trial that is going _ is the world by the trial that is going to commence. it's going _ is going to commence. it's going to _ is going to commence. it's going to be one that i think is going — going to be one that i think is going to _ going to be one that i think is going to have surprised witnesses. we also have seen in this indictment six uninvited co—conspirators. we can assume it was— co—conspirators. we can assume it was the _ co—conspirators. we can assume it was the clown show of attorneys that president trump, feeding — attorneys that president trump, feeding lies prior to january six~ — feeding lies prior to january six~ you _ feeding lies prior to january six. you can assume the former doj officiat— six. you can assume the former doj officialjeffrey clark is one — doj officialjeffrey clark is one of— doj officialjeffrey clark is one of those uninvited co—conspirators. and i clinical consuitant— co—conspirators. and i clinical consultant is indicted as a co—conspirator. i'm not sure which — co—conspirator. i'm not sure which consultant that donald trump — which consultant that donald trump the lies before january six. trump the lies before january six~ that _ trump the lies before january six. that might be a good lottery— six. that might be a good lottery question.- six. that might be a good lottery question. what is your sense of how _ lottery question. what is your sense of how difficult - lottery question. what is your sense of how difficult would l sense of how difficult would be, how challenging it will be proper special counsel's office to prove the former president is criminally liable here? this is criminally liable here? this is a really _ is criminally liable here? this is a really interesting - is a really interesting indictment, the legal defences for the former president will probably be more significant. it will have more legal defences in the other cases that i depended against him. you will see a very aggressive defence on the law stop i think what is really unknown right now is where some of this evidence is coming from. he was cooperating? are any of the uninvited co—conspirators cooperating? at any of them cut a deal or have they been given immunity? those are the questions unanswered right now but they will be the telling thing and i want to clarify make sure nobody misunderstands what the congressmen and i are saying about a dark day for america. thejustice department america. the justice department is america. thejustice department is being weaponised. we're not talking about that at all. we're talking about an individual who the highest office in the land engaging in conduct in which our institutions of government have to hold him accountable, somehow, someway. the that he was in that position and is now in this position is no fault of his own but it's still a dark day. i don't want there to be any mistake of what we're talking about, dark for democracy. talking about, dark for democra . ., , , , talking about, dark for democra . ., ,, , ., democracy. congressmen, 'ust to ick u- democracy. congressmen, 'ust to pick up on — democracy. congressmen, 'ust to pick up on what we * democracy. congressmen, 'ust to pick up on what we heard _ democracy. congressmen, just to pick up on what we heard from i pick up on what we heard from the senator, a number of republicans coming out support today of the former president saying that this is indeed an example of the department of justice being weaponised, with political targeting. what do you make of that. i political targeting. what do you make of that.— political targeting. what do you make of that. i do want to piggyback _ you make of that. i do want to piggyback on _ you make of that. i do want to piggyback on something - you make of that. i do want to l piggyback on something senator jones _ piggyback on something senator jones said. we are going to be finding — jones said. we are going to be finding out who in the trump orbit— finding out who in the trump orbit has— finding out who in the trump orbit has co—operate. i can tell— orbit has co—operate. i can tell you _ orbit has co—operate. i can tell you from my own personal experience in working with the white — experience in working with the white house as a member of congress, it was not a single decision— congress, it was not a single decision that i had, without his chiet— decision that i had, without his chief of staff, mark meadows sitting by his side. it will be — meadows sitting by his side. it will be interesting to find out how — will be interesting to find out how much mark meadows cooperated during this investigation. likely he was part— investigation. likely he was part a — investigation. likely he was part a lot _ investigation. likely he was part a lot of a lot of the conversations as is being reported post—election and prior— reported post—election and prior to _ reported post—election and prior to january six. i believe he was — prior to january six. i believe he was present at the rally where _ he was present at the rally where we saw thousands get riled — where we saw thousands get riled up— where we saw thousands get riled up in much of the capitai~ _ riled up in much of the capital. i can tell you, i know what — capital. i can tell you, i know what he _ capital. i can tell you, i know what he was doing that day. believing those lies publicly. he was — believing those lies publicly. he was calling me asking how he -ot he was calling me asking how he got a _ he was calling me asking how he got a former member of congress id. got a former member of congress id~ he _ got a former member of congress id~ he lett— got a former member of congress id. he left me a voicemail on the tragic— id. he left me a voicemail on the tragic day so it will be interesting to see but i'm not surprised _ interesting to see but i'm not surprised a lot of republicans are standing by president trump _ are standing by president trump. use the frontrunner for the gop — trump. use the frontrunner for the gop nomination by a long the gop nomination by along shot— the gop nomination by a long shot right now. frankly, the department ofjustice needs to do a _ department ofjustice needs to do a betterjob explaining the american people what a sweetheart deal giving to hunter biden which would have made _ hunter biden which would have made him immune from any further— made him immune from any further prosecution for any crime _ further prosecution for any crime he _ further prosecution for any crime he would have ever done was thrown out by thankfully a judge — was thrown out by thankfully a judge just last week. doj needs to make — judge just last week. doj needs to make sure they explain that they— to make sure they explain that they are — to make sure they explain that they are not a 2—tiered system ofjustice — they are not a 2—tiered system ofjustice because many in this country— ofjustice because many in this country believe they are. | country believe they are. want to country believe they are. i want to get your take on what you heard from the congressmen. as the department ofjustice not communicated effectively hear what they are pursuing? i think that they have done all they could do. in a system of justice, people are presumed innocent until guilty in the department ofjustice is to operate under a cloud of grand iury operate under a cloud of grand jury secrecy. that is the law. it's one of those things we have to do to protect the integrity of investigation. given as much information as they can, what will happen again, there will be more information. your seat in the pleadings in both civil and criminal cases. more information coming out. sooner or later, you will get a full picture. it may take a trial and get the evidence in. if you prepare this indictment with some of the things that came out in the january six committee, you see a sordid picture. what people do to try and stay in power. at the kind of respond a little bit to what the congressmen said about hunter biden. thejudge did not throw out that plea, the judge has questions and the agreement and particularly on the gun charge. 30 days. personally i believe the plea to go forward and let me say this, this has been investigated by both trump and biden administrations. the trump prosecutor was in charge. they failed that this was the only charges they can bring against hunter biden. i think ultimately it will stand. last . uestion ultimately it will stand. last question to _ ultimately it will stand. last question to you _ ultimately it will stand. last question to you both. - ultimately it will stand. last question to you both. what do you think the impact of this is, facing 78 criminal charges or three indictments. what is the impact on this campaign stop i would start with you, senator. i stop i would start with you, senator. .. stop i would start with you, senator-— stop i would start with you, senator. ~ , ., ., senator. i think you will get a bum -. senator. i think you will get a bump- the — senator. i think you will get a bump. the congressmen - senator. i think you will get a bump. the congressmen wasj bump. the congressmen was right. i think it's going to embolden him and his supporters initially but in the long run it will take its toll. i really believe in the long run, people are getting tired of this and seeing more and more and going, what the hell.— what the hell. people are ttettin what the hell. people are getting tired. _ what the hell. people are getting tired. many - what the hell. people are - getting tired. many republicans like me — getting tired. many republicans like me are tired of it but he will— like me are tired of it but he will be — like me are tired of it but he will be stronger in the polls. it will be stronger in the polls. it will— will be stronger in the polls. it will help in political because no—one plays the victim like donald trump. because no-one plays the victim like donald trump.— like donald trump. really interesting _ like donald trump. really interesting insights. - interesting insights. congressmen, senator, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. for more information, please head to our website. our team has a live page up with the latest on the trump indcictment. this page has a breakdown of the recent indictment, as well as what this means for the charges in his other cases. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. voice-over: bbc, voice—over: bbc, bringing you different stories from across the uk. this was the 22nd of pride in whole of it. it’s the uk. this was the 22nd of pride in whole of it.— pride in whole of it. it's nice beint pride in whole of it. it's nice being able _ pride in whole of it. it's nice being able to _ pride in whole of it. it's nice being able to celebrate - pride in whole of it. it's nice being able to celebrate and | being able to celebrate and be open and dress up and really be proud. open and dress up and really be roud. ~ . open and dress up and really be troud_ . ., ., , , open and dress up and really be roud. ~ ., ., , , ., ., proud. what does pride mean to ou? not proud. what does pride mean to you? notjust— proud. what does pride mean to you? notjust accepting - proud. what does pride mean to you? notjust accepting that - you? not just accepting that celebrating the differences in the world. celebrating the differences in the world-— the world. you can tell that hull really _ the world. you can tell that hull really is _ the world. you can tell that hull really is a _ the world. you can tell that hull really is a good - the world. you can tell that hull really is a good place | the world. you can tell thatl hull really is a good place to cut my— hull really is a good place to cut my pride _ hull really is a good place to cut my pride-— cut my pride. what is pride mean to — cut my pride. what is pride mean to you? _ cut my pride. what is pride mean to you? being - cut my pride. what is pride i mean to you? being yourself. cut my pride. what is pride - mean to you? being yourself. as far as the lgb or sexual orientation aspects of it goes, a lot— orientation aspects of it goes, a lot of— orientation aspects of it goes, a lot of movement has happened. there _ a lot of movement has happened. there is— a lot of movement has happened. there is an — a lot of movement has happened. there is an awful lot more work to be _ there is an awful lot more work to be done _ there is an awful lot more work to be done and identify what can be — to be done and identify what can be done for our trans community. can be done for our trans community-— can be done for our trans community. can be done for our trans communi . . , , , community. organisers say they ho -e that community. organisers say they hepe that by _ community. organisers say they hope that by walking _ community. organisers say they hope that by walking with - hope that by walking with transgender groups it'll mean even more people listen to their message. voice—over: for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. former president trump's campaign is responding to the indictments. cbs news reports that a senior advior says he's focused, defiant, and more determined to win than ever. joining me to break down the political ramifications is cbs chief election and campaign correspondent robert costa. great to have you back. what are you hearing from the trunk campaign? it’s are you hearing from the trunk campaign?— campaign? it's a completed moment for— campaign? it's a completed moment for them, - campaign? it's a completed moment for them, trying i campaign? it's a completedj moment for them, trying to campaign? it's a completed - moment for them, trying to cast the justice department starkly. they compared the doj to another germany stay in the 19 but what's happening on the legal front will affect what is happening on the political front especially in terms of scheduling. on thursday trump has been summoned to appear in washington and federal court for the first time in this case. if for the first time in this case. , ., for the first time in this case. ,, for the first time in this case. i. ., ., ~ ., for the first time in this case. i. ., case. if you look at some reactions _ case. if you look at some reactions coming - case. if you look at some reactions coming into - case. if you look at some l reactions coming into this, case. if you look at some i reactions coming into this, i want to ask about what we've heard from republican presidential candidate flora governor ron desantis who said: his former vice president and now opponent, mike pence, said: these are two campaigns you've been following. what do you make of the different tones? let's begin with former practices and mike pence. it's i in an historic to have a former vice president now running against his former boss for the republican presidential nomination while also serving as the key witness in an historic investigation of an attack against the united states in alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election and if you read this indictment todayit if you read this indictment today it is so evident that the special counseljack smith and special counsel jack smith and his special counseljack smith and his team believe that mike pence has provided them with enormous value in terms of how they are building their prosecution. insight into what trump said behind the scenes, pensis trump said behind the scenes, pens is known to have taken contemporaneous notes in the post—2020 election period and provided hours of testimony to the grand jury now they have him as someone who can really reveal at least from his perspective how trump was operating with the alleged skimmed over time in 2020 election. so pence has a sharp attack against his rival, former boss, with his statement, publicly governor desantis the top rival in the polling to trump and others are being critical of the justice department but what's more important as what is happening behind the scenes. when i talk to the rail campaign tonight publicly they will criticise the justice department publicly they will criticise thejustice department but privately i can't tell you, i could list at least a dozen of trump's rivals or opponents who are hoping, believing that what has happened today, an indictment onjanuary has happened today, an indictment on january the has happened today, an indictment onjanuary the sixth could become an immense burden on trump's shoulders and medially down the line to his campaign imploding as he deals with this deluge, notjust on 6 january but the classified records, hush money payments in new york, and georgia investigation.— new york, and georgia investigation. they hope because _ investigation. they hope because he _ investigation. they hope because he is _ investigation. they hope because he is still- investigation. they hope | because he is still clearly investigation. they hope - because he is still clearly the frontrunner to be the republican candidate and if we look at the polls, recent polling has president trump and president biden, we see who the choice are present, the current president at 43% and if you look at donald trump, even at 43%. of course we are still a long way out, and what could happen, but what do you make of the polls? happen, but what do you make of the olls? . ~ the polls? inside the white house tonight _ the polls? inside the white house tonight there - the polls? inside the white house tonight there is - the polls? inside the white house tonight there is a i the polls? inside the white i house tonight there is a sense that's what happening with trump could be favourable to them long—term but they also know it is activating his base, notably the white house declined comment today about the indictment from the special counsel, the attorney general appointed by president biden at least limited by president biden confirmed, merrick garland declined comment. they are trying to not be back and forth any investigations biden's cycle believes the president retained so much power and his party and independence and some centre voters because he is seen as the last stop against another trump presidency. so the more trump presidency. so the more trump is consumed with investigations in the petite of scandal, they believe it actually protects abiding's little study even as he faces questions about his age at some of his decisions as president. yet we worry seen the former president and his campaign fundraising offers indictment as they did the two previous indictments. will this be another boost for the former president? i5 another boost for the former president?— another boost for the former president? is not surprisingly fundraising — president? is not surprisingly fundraising because - president? is not surprisingly fundraising because they i president? is not surprisingly| fundraising because they have spent so much money in the trump orbit on legal fees in a filing under it was revealed the trump little action committee save america has only spent more than $40 million on legal expenses this year, they have now made a new legal defence fund to make it more separate from what is happening in the political campaign for trump. so trump needs money, he is leading in the polls, above 50% in the republican primary race committee polls to the same time he needs money to try to survive in the primary race especially as his rivals smell blood in the water and are looking for the breakthrough potentially later this month in milwaukee at the first debate. really interesting insight into the political ramifications of all of this. robert costa, cbs chief election and campaign correspondence, great to have you as always. as we discussed, former president trump is expected to appear in court on thursday. live now to former federal prosecutor in the southern district of new york, sarah krissoff. thanks so much for being with us. i'd like to ask you about the indictment and what you think of the charges that the special counsel's office has brought. special counsel's office has brou:ht. ~ ., , special counsel's office has brought-— brought. when i was very interesting _ brought. when i was very interesting and _ brought. when i was very interesting and they've i brought. when i was very i interesting and they've used the indictment, this speaking indictment are set out their story, their narrative of what happened here, very thoroughly. and so, i looked sort of beyond the four charges which are no doubt very serious and pose a big threat to the former president's liberty but the narrative here, of what happened, so i think that narrative is particularly ported for the public to have that in one spot, narrative of according to thejustice department. ii according to the justice department.— according to the justice department. according to the justice deartment. , ., ., ., department. if you look at what the special _ department. if you look at what the special counsel— department. if you look at what the special counseljack - department. if you look at what the special counseljack smith i the special counseljack smith said in a statement he said he wants the speedy trial. when do you think we could actually see this go to trial? i you think we could actually see this go to trial?— this go to trial? i would not exect this go to trial? i would not exoect to — this go to trial? i would not expect to see _ this go to trial? i would not expect to see this - this go to trial? i would not expect to see this trial i this go to trial? i would not i expect to see this trial happen anytime soon. lots reasons. first of all, the president is now under indictment in three cases. that is an enormous amount of work for him and his legal teams to process all of those cases, she responded all of those cases, review the discovery. it is process for him. even putting aside the fact that he is running for the president of the united states. what resources to the trump team have at their disposal here to try and postpone the possible trial?— possible trial? so, i mean, first of all. _ possible trial? so, i mean, first of all, i— possible trial? so, i mean, first of all, i don't - possible trial? so, i mean, first of all, i don't think i possible trial? so, i mean, first of all, i don't think it | first of all, i don't think it would be, ithink first of all, i don't think it would be, i think we would certainly expect requests for a postponement here. we don't have a trial date or schedule set forth and we don't know the scope of the discovery in this case. but i think it would be reasonable for trump's defence team to ask for a long, drawnout schedule here within both the nature of this case and the expected discoveries in this case and his other legal obligations. i don't think that's unreasonable. that's the question- _ that's unreasonable. that's the question. how _ that's unreasonable. that's the question. how do _ that's unreasonable. that's the question. how do the - that's unreasonable. that's the question. how do the other. question. how do the other indictments factor into this and the prospect of another indictment coming in the state of georgia?— indictment coming in the state of georgia? really, the biggest issue is timing _ of georgia? really, the biggest issue is timing and _ of georgia? really, the biggest issue is timing and overlapping| issue is timing and overlapping evidence and witnesses in these cases. there may be individuals and eyewitnesses in more than one case. and there certainly is evidence that is relevant in more than one case and in particular looking at the georgia case and this case just brought byjack smith, so although discrete in matters, they are certainly going to be interacting and overlap between them. putting aside the former president has a constitutional right to be able to defend himself, to participate in his own defence, and he is certainly going to say, i expect to hear that he will say that he needs more time in each of these cases to properly defend himself.— of these cases to properly defend himself. ~ . , ., ~' defend himself. what you think we will see _ defend himself. what you think we will see on _ defend himself. what you think we will see on thursday - defend himself. what you think we will see on thursday when l we will see on thursday when the president is expected to be arraigned in person here in washington, dc? i arraigned in person here in washington, dc?— arraigned in person here in washington, dc? ithink that will be a very _ washington, dc? ithink that will be a very simple - will be a very simple proceeding. he will plead not guilty, he will be advised of the charges against him, it will be a quick proceeding, the judge will set the bail conditions in which should clear the florida conditions. they will proceed and will be interesting as if trump and his team takes that opportunity to really rebut the allegations and the complaint, they may take this as an opportunity to sort of make more public statements about their version of the events.— of the events. final question and about — of the events. final question and about a _ of the events. final question and about a minute - of the events. final question and about a minute or i of the events. final question and about a minute or so i of the events. final question and about a minute or so we j and about a minute or so we have left, what will you be looking for in the trial when we and double starting the trial? ~ . �* . we and double starting the trial? ~ . �* , , ., trial? what's interesting about this case. _ trial? what's interesting about this case. it — trial? what's interesting about this case, it is _ trial? what's interesting about this case, it is a _ trial? what's interesting about this case, it is a little - this case, it is a little different evidence wise in the documents case. this case is very heavily based on witness testimony. it recounts conversation, indictment recounts conversation after conversation that the former president and his co—conspirators, his alleged co—conspirators, his alleged co—conspirators had with other individuals, so this particular trial will be very witness heavy. so again, scheduling that trial could be pretty cumbersome given that fact. sarah krissoff, as always, great to get your take on the story tonight. thank you very much forjoining us.- story tonight. thank you very much forjoining us. that's our show. for more information please head to our website. our team has a live page up with the latest on the trump indcictment. iam sumi i am sumi somaskanda. thanks for being with us on bbc news. wet and windy weather on the way for wednesday. more on that in a second. but first of all, we start off with the news that for northern ireland, we've had the wettestjuly on record, with over double the averagejuly rainfall. those records go back to 1836. it was also the wettestjuly on record for greater manchester, merseyside and lancashire as well. now, we've got more rain to come through wednesday. this area of low pressure continues to strengthen and we're going to see a swathe of particularly strong winds just running to the south of this hook of cloud you can see just here. now, that is going to be working into the south—west of the uk, but already those winds are picking up across south west england, across southern parts of wales, as our band of rain gets driven northwards and eastwards across much of the country. and, ok, it's going to be a mild start to the day on wednesday, but those winds will continue to strengthen during the first part of the morning. the windiest weather works in across the south coast of england, where we're looking at gusts of around 40 to 55 miles an hour. even stronger for northern france and the channel islands, where we could see gusts of 60—odd miles an hour. now, winds that strong could bring down one or two trees, so you might find some localised disruption. you might also see the ferries running with even some cancellations or delays, so it might be worth checking before travelling if you have plans that way. there'll be plenty of heavy downpours for england and wales, some thunder mixed in, some really heavy downpours. but for northern scotland, well, this is probably where the brightest, driest weather is going to be. you'll manage a little bit of sunshine. it probably won't be too bad a day. now, through wednesday night, the worst of the rain clears away eastwards, but you can still see some tightly packed isobars across the uk as we head into thursday. it will be a blustery day, with some of the strongest winds this time heading into northern ireland, driving in frequent showers here. there'll also be loads of showers for northern areas of scotland. but across inland areas, you probably have to wait, really, until the afternoon until we start to see those showers become really widespread and heavy. now, it's not going to be the warmest of days for for august, with temperatures generally high teens, maybejust about the low 20s. and that kind of weather pattern continues friday and into the weekend. we might even see some longer spells of rain across england and wales as the low pressure potentially moves its way in this weekend. but if you're fed up with being rained on over the last, what, six or seven weeks, better news for next week. it looks like we might have found the first signs of something that resembles summer late next week. the us downgraded by fitch as government debt grows. and as millions continue sweating under the extreme summer, we speak to one travel expert on how holiday plans have changed. hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm monica miller. well, the indictment of former us president donald trump isn't the only story making news today. ratings agency fitch has downgraded america's top credit rating from aaa to aa—plus. fitch cited expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years, as well as growing government debt burden. now, the downgrade also follows a debt ceiling agreement injune that saw months of political brinkmanship. credit ratings like these are used by investors to assess the risk profile of companies and government, us treasury and us government governments, rather. now, the us treasury secretary, janet yellen, said that she disagreed with fitch's move and said it was based on outdated data. the white house has also said that the move defies reality and that they strongly disagree with the decision. cafe giant starbucks has unveiled quarterly earnings that beat expectations. the world's largest coffee chain reported revenue of $9.2 billion. that's a jump of i2% from a year ago. the earnings were helped by a consumer recovery in china and a return to office in the united states. michelle fleury has more.