nearly 5 million people have been forced to flee to neighboring countries. good afternoon. i'm garrett haake in washington, in for hallie jackson. nbc news foreign correspondent matt bradley is in kyiv. also with us nbc news pentagon correspondent courtney kube. and we're joined by retired army brigadier general peter zwack, who served as senior defense attache to russia. and matt, i want to get started with you. you're in kyiv. we've got this new russian offensive really lighting up the east of ukraine while they're still trying to hold on to mariupol in the south. bring us up to speed on everything going on on the ground there. >> reporter: yeah, garrett, i mean, i don't know if we would call it lighting up the east. so far we've heard from the ukrainians that the massive offensive that has been much anticipated for weeks and weeks has started in the east in the donbas region. remember, garrett, this is a region that's been at war for the past eight years. so what looks like a war is actually something that's been going on for a while. so there might not be such an appreciable difference. and in a way i'd say this offensive, which has been signaled by the ukrainian authorities, has kind of started with a whimper rather than a bang. we've heard from the u.s. that it looks more like shaping operations at the moment. we're starting to see an increase in the tempo of air strikes. but again, remember, donbas has been the -- in the crosshairs by both ukrainian and russian forces for quite a while now, especially since the offensive began back in late february. but i've got to tell you, garrett, when we look at what's going on there, there's a lot of things that favor the russian ntz eastern part of the country. and of course when it comes to vladimir putin's readjustment of this conflict, moving it east, it seems as though he wouldn't want to get involved in a new fight if he didn't think he could win. russia is desperate for a victory. they've been seeing humiliation after humiliation ever since this whole thing started in late february. and like i said, there are some things that could favor them. they're going to be fighting in essentially open steppe, kind of like prairie. it's different from what we're see here in kyiv. this is urban and suburban terrain. small towns r towns, fields. it's pretty developed. and so it's a bit different. also in the east of the country you really do have a genuine pro-moscow sympathetic population. it might not be the majority. it might not be most people even. and it's probably changed in the last couple months as people there sort of reevaluate their allegiances after vladimir putin launched his latest war into ukraine. but at the end of the day what we've been hearing from military analysts is that russia hasn't necessarily improved on the major problems that were afflicting their military ever since the beginning, the thing that really drove them back and frustrated them on the outskirts here in the capital of kyiv. it's a lack of organization, a really, really cratering low morale, and a problem with logistics. it's unclear also whether these military units that had been really, really badly damaged in the fight for kyiv and for kharkiv in the northeast where we saw some blistering fighting for weeks and weeks, it's unclear according to military analysts whether or not those units will be able to be reconstituted fast enough to create the kind of blitzkrieg attack that even president zelenskyy of ukraine has been signaling, saying that this is really going to be a game changer in the fight. so it's possible that if russia hasn't healed itself and its military so far that russia could see another massive humiliation with this next assault. garrett? >> very interesting stuff from matt there. courtney, he kind of set you up. talk to us about what you've learned about russia's pivot to the east over this donbas region. >> reporter: so there's a couple big differences in what we've seen from russia over the last two months or so on the several different axes of attack to what we will likely see in this coming offensive. so number one, matt laid out the terrain that is very different there. it's more rural. there aren't large population centers. but not just that. the russians have been fighting there for eight years. they know the terrain. so that gives them an advantage. now, while the ukrainians are on the defense as opposed to the offense which gives them the advantage. both sides know the terrain. so that's sort of a wash. beyond that, though, this is -- rather than the multiple axes of attack that we've seen from the russians in these first couple of months this is going to be a much more concentrated effort by the russians. so they will likely move down from the izyum area in the east, in the central east part of the country, down towards the donbas, and try to cut off the ukrainian military that are there kind of arrayed along the donbas region, what's called the joint forces operation area, the jfo. they will most likely, the russians will try to encircle the ukrainian military there, coming down from izyum down toward the dnipro river and down toward donbas. now, if they are able it to encircle them, that will put them at more of a tactical advantage and that will put the ukrainians -- it will be much more difficult for them to fight back against the russians coming at home from all sides. in addition to that, you know, matt mentioned the logistical issues that the russians have had in the early days. well, they may still have those, but they may have more logistical support down in the southeast because they already have russian forces in the donbas. they have russian forces in crimea. and they have russian naval forces in the sea of azov in the northern black sea. so they may be able to resupply and provide logistical support to the russian forces that are coming south more easily than they were able to in some of the other areas. so matt also mentioned that we've seen the very beginnings of this, we've seen some shaping operations by the russians, that's essentially prepping the battlefield for a larger-scale ground invasion. but in addition to that in the last 24 hours or so there has been a real uptick in russian military activity in the izyum area down toward donetsk, specifically southwest of donetsk in the donbas area. there's been an uptick in russian artillery, in some more russian ground movement in there. it's not really clear if this is sort of the beginning of this large-scale offensive, if this is more of the shaping, but as you mentioned the senior defense official now saying he does not push back on the notion that this is the beginning of this large next phase of this offensive. the question is what happens next, is it just the russians will go after the southeast area, go after the donbas, and then hold, or will they continue on with this earlier larger strategic objective of taking all of ukraine, garrett? >> so general zwack, you heard it laid out there by matt and by courtney, the differences in the terrain, the population, the fact this is a region that's been at war for years. the pentagon says they don't think russian victory in the donbas is inevitable. they see a fight here that could be just as challenging for the russians as what we've seen in other parts of the country. how do you see this next phase of the war playing out over the next few weeks? >> as a minimum it's going to be ugly, brutal, bloody. and you have now really force on force and there is an eight-year line of contact, there is -- there are a lot of ukrainian -- actually, both sides, entrenchments, rebetments, if you will, along the main line. but you also, as courtney talked about, you have a growing push coming down from izyum toward -- from the northwest that is trying to slow moving pincer, a lot of contact there. and then you have -- you have down in the south where we've got to talk about mariupol, which is ukraine's stalingrad. just by being there pins down -- i don't have a number. 10,000, 20,000 russian troops. that could be recommitted up toward the southern flank of donbas. along the line i think we have to talk about in many ways aspects of world war i, world war ii. we've all seen recent footage of russian multiple rocket launchers trundling up. classic stuff that we would have seen from the cold war, preparing for the fulda gap. and they're going to fix and fire a lot of ordnance on the ukrainians. in turn, though, the ukrainians will have their drones. they have increasingly agile with a counterbattery and they know the ground. both sides know the ground reasonably well. it will be a gigantically logistically challenging piece for the russians because they have to -- they're bringing a lot of stuff on. and here's the intangible, the x factor in many ways. what is the -- what is the spirit, what is the motivation of the russian troops compared to the ukrainian troops on that line? how much grit and staying power? because this will matter. and i would submit a number of those troops that have brought down from belarus and the kyiv front and around actually probably have a little bit of ptsd and shock. and they're being pushed to the fight. they don't want to be there. a lot of rough troops but the russians have numbers and brute force. and this will be an ugly attritional fight. but the ukrainians have a lot of moxie and capability too. >> generation while you were talking we've been showing some more pictures of mariupol. and you touched on this a little bit but i think it's worth reiterating. just how strategically important is that city right now and is the remaining ukrainian resistance despite being surrounded in that southern city? >> well, i think that it has gained -- it has gained, if you will, certainly tactical operational hugely -- it is like a bone in the side of the russians' throat right now. okay? because they're now trying to finish connecting russia south to the crimea. and the longer they stand this is also -- this is becoming epic. and courtney would know this. remember the cyborg defenses. i was in moscow at the time in 2014, 2015. the battles for donetsk. that became epic in ukraine. and they made a movie of it. and you're getting an epic thing, whatever happens. but it is stopping or slowing the russians down from being able to either flow south down towards -- down towards along the coast and toward odesa, and getting full force up from the south into donbas. but it is as much symbolic now, and the russians probably dearly want to have this thing by easter or certainly by victory day on 9 may. >> all right. general peter zwack, thank you. don't go too far. courtney has slipped out into that pentagon briefing which we will join in just a little bit. but first and next, we are live at the world's busiest airport, where masks are now optional. what travelers and medical experts think about that. plus, president biden is back on the road this hour. now, he's just responded for the first time to that mask ruling. and later, the legal effort to kickstart -- to kick a controversial congresswoman off the ballot. getting a green light to move forward. what it means for marjorie taylor greene's re-election. that's all up next. at's all up t g just making spaghetti... but i didn't wait. i could've delayed telling my doctor i was short of breath just reading a book... but i didn't wait. they told their doctors. and found out they had... atrial fibrillation. a condition which makes it about five times more likely to have a stroke. if you have one or more of these symptoms irregular heartbeat, heart racing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your doctor. this is no time to wait. and, we're back! it's time to see which chew provides the longest-lasting flea and tick protection. bravecto's the big winner. 12 weeks of powerful protection, nearly 3 times longer than any other chew. bravo, bravecto! bravo! [yawn] bro trip! if you book with priceline, you'll save more, so you can “broooo” more. [impressed] broooooo. broooo!!!! broooo!!!! broooo!!!! [in unison] brooooooooo!!!! [splash] [disappointed] broooo... good thing you saved on the trip! priceline. every trip is a big deal. you're pretty particular about keeping a healthy body. what goes on it... usually. ♪♪ in it... mostly. even what gets near your body. please please please take that outside. here to meet those high standards is the walgreens health and wellness brand. over 2000 products. rigorously tested. walgreens pharmacist recommended... and particularly kind to your wallet. ♪♪ ♪ ♪ when you order the all new deluxe three cheese and bacon omelette, you get a smile on your plate. only from ihop. join the rewards program and earn double pancoins with any omelette purchase. are you taking a statin drug to reduce cholesterol? it can also deplete your coq10 levels. join the rewards program and earn i recommend considering qunol coq10 along with your statin medication. the brand i trust is qunol. there are lots of choices when it comes to your internet and technology needs. but when you choose comcast business internet, you choose the largest, fastest reliable network. you choose advanced security. and you choose fiber solutions with speeds up to 10 gigs available to more small businesses than any other provider. the choice is clear: get unbeatable business solutions from the most innovative company. get a great deal on this limited time price with internet and voice for just $49.99 a month for 24 months with a 2-year price guarantee. call today. so many people are overweight now, and asking themselves, "why can't i lose weight?" for most, the reason is insulin resistance, and they don't even know they have it. conventional starvation diets don't address insulin resistance. that's why they don't work. now there's release from golo. it naturally helps reverse insulin resistance, stops sugar cravings, and releases stubborn fat all while controlling stress and emotional eating. at last, a diet pill that actually works. go to golo.com to get yours. now to covid and the first reaction from president biden to a federal judge striking down his administration's requirement to mask up on airplanes, buses and other public transportation. this after what's been basically an overnight 180 on masking by many of the nation's biggest airlines and car services. nbc's garrett gumbrok is at atlanta airport. and also critical care physician and nbc medical contributor melanie hilton. how are travelers responding to this mask mandate removal in atlanta? >> reporter: hey there, garrett. travelers here at hartsfield jackson are ready for takeoff. there are 31 states and washington, d.c. that are currently seeing an increase in covid cases. but you wouldn't be able to know that by looking around this airport. i'd say about half the folks here are wearing a mask. the other half are not. and that's very different than what we saw from my flight down here this morning from washington, d.c. where the pilot stood up and said masks are optional. there was not a whole lot of reaction from the plane because it was of course 6:00 a.m. there was only about a handful of people that were wearing masks at that point. coming down here it's a very different story. folks here tell me they're excited that they now have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to wear a mask. >> it feels nice. it's a relief. i feel like i can breathe a little easier. >> i think with all the vaccines and everything that has come out i think it's perfectly okay to lift the mask mandate. >> we want to keep them on for a while. just to be safe. >> and would prefer that the mandate not be lifted just yet. >> reporter: now garrett, if you have plans to fly on an airline domestically anytime soon, they've probably dropped their mask mandate. we're talking about delta, spirit, united, american, southwest, alaska airlines. the list goes on. and it's not just airlines. uber, lyft and amtrak have also all lifted their mask mandates. garrett? >> gary, thank you. you want to bring in kelly o'donnell, who's with us from the white house now. and kelly, i understand we've gotten the first response from the president. i'm curious both what he said and what the white house thinks will be their next move here. >> reporter: well, interesting. our colleagues who are are part of the travel pool today, so as you know a group of journalists is most closely attached to the president as he's traveling. and so they were able to ask him about this. and the president said that he has not spoken to the cdc yet, which one would think that would be happening soon. and he said the people who want to wear masks should continue to do so. now, what we know is perhaps that's a buying time moment because the cdc has been of course the lead agency on mask wearing and they had asked for an additional two weeks of time to collect data on this ba.2 variant which certainly we've seen here in the washington, d.c. area has been particularly active as it has in a number of other places around the country and they wanted to analyze that data to get a sense of where this virus is headed next before they made a decision about mask wearing. this judge's order cut that off and now the department of justice is still in a position that if it wants to challenge this legally it can do so. we have not seen any action yet from the department of justice. so that leaves us in a position where the white house has effectively stepped back and is now putting more of the decision-making on individual passengers, riders, flyers, depending on if train or airplane, to make their own decisions. now, we know it can be more complicated than that for people who have children who are too young for a vaccine or people who have vulnerable family members who could be exposed and for many other reasons. and then there are certainly people who are more than happy to put the masks aside and were waiting for this. so the president's comments are certainly interesting in that he didn't have a strong clear message about what he wants to have happen. so he is giving the cdc some room. he is letting the department of justice work its process. and the president's message at this point is if you want to wear a mask do so. now, i can tell you that here at the white house and those who travel in the company of the president, so in the vans that we take to travel with him on air force one, masks are still in place. they have the authority to do that. and they are exercising that. and we continue to see a lot of people who are in meetings with the president wearing masks. but the much broader rule, that remains a real question mark about how long or if there would be any next steps coming from the federal government. garrett? >> kelly o'donnell, as we look at pictures of the president in new hampshire, he's been there talking about infrastructure pl wep do another segment focusing on those comments a bit later. but kelly, while i still have you i want to play a comment from dr. richard besser, the former acting cdc director, about some of the context around this court decision and ask you a follow-up question on the other side. take a listen. >> if the cdc loses its power to prevent the spread of infectious diseases between states or coming into the country, we are all at great risk. >> besser's argument here is that if the white house doesn't appeal this decision, if the cdc loses its authority, we are potentially at more risk in the next pandemic or the next phase of this one. how much weight do you think that argument carries as the white house tries to decide how to plot a way forward on this or whether to just let this issue go? >> well, it should be one of the things that is being intensely debated because preparation and looking down the line has been one of the sort of hallmarks of how this administration has tried to distinguish itself compared to its predecessor, having the preparedness about pandemics, having a chief of staff who in his previous federal service had been the ebola czar. remember that. when that was a very infectious disease that had a tiny footprint comparatively to covid. and inevitably, the experts tell us there will be other variations of coronavirus if not related to covid-19, other kinds of pandemics. and having public health authority is important to try to provide people a life-saving and in many ways we've seen economic impact-saving directions and advice and counsel. and so if the cdc loses that power, that could be very difficult. most often it is a state-run situation where state by state health measures are put into effect. when it comes to a pandemic of this kind of magnitude where every state is affected, then the cdc is involved. so there is an important power to try to preserve, and that's one of the questions we're asking about how does the government in this administration feel they should try to protect that power? we see it in things like title 42, which has been discussed a lot in the immigration context. and we know from our experience of these last couple of years there are a lot of issues that come up in public health and more are expected. garrett? >> all right. kelly o'donnell and gary grumbach, thank you both. dr. hilton, thank you for waiting in the tv equivalent of a waiting room here with us. help me -- let's talk about the context here a little bit of just where we are in the pandemic and to the degree that this decision will have a big impact, right? we've seen cases going back up a little bit, but deaths have been decreasing. hospitalizations are extremely low. what kind of impact do you think the end of this mask mandate, these mask mandates across the board may have given where we are right now? >> i think this will have tremendous impact. what we have to remember is we're only capturing about 15% of our cases at this point in the united states of america because more people are doing home tests. so what does it mean when we're seeing increases across the country of caseloads? it means a lot. and particularly we're looking at the timing. this is two weeks that we've seen an increase in our cases. and what happened two and three weeks ago but spring break when we had a lot of travel and our college students going about the globe and then coming back home and transmitting covid-19 around their community. so when we're lifting our mask mandates in these mass trans-its, knowing full well that at this point only 65% of americans are fully vaccinated, only about 30% of americans are actually boosted at had point, we know that under 5 years old cannot even be vaccinated, and then if we're thinking globally we're looking at a situation where 65% of the globe is vaccinated but of those poorer countries only about 15% of the persons in those poorer countries have received one dose of the covid vaccine. so when we're thinking about air travel you don't know who is sitting beside you. and when the pilot said you can take off your mask i don't think people looked to their left and right to say is this person vulnerable beside me, have they been vaccinated, are they immunocompromised, and instead we just took our masks off. we know on an airplane when we're in trouble and crisis we say put the mask on yourself, the oxygen mask, and then turn to your neighbor and help them out. and this is a time in this pandemic that we need to turn to our neighbors and say are you vulnerable, are you not? and take that into consideration before we just flip our mask. >> what do you say to the viewpoint we've heard from some folks on this, the idea that the travel mandates were almost anachronistic when you might go from -- like i flew this weekend from -- i might have been at a restaurant in dallas where you don't have to wear a mask to an office building in washington, d.c. where you don't have to wear a mask and the only place where that mask wearing was used was on the plane. are they still effective meaningfully as a pandemic control measure in an environment where so many other mandates have expired? >> it is effective if that person sitting beside you on the plane actually is covid positive. and that's the problem with all of this is that you do not know who is covid positive and who is not. and it also is effective, again, if that person beside you is actually immunocompromised and it shouldn't take a person having to wear that on their shirt in order to deserve protection. and unfortunately, what we're starting to do more and more is turn over public health measures to corporations because it was the very airlines that had the cdc put pressure on them to change the mandate of quarantine from ten days to five days back in december when omicron was surging because their staff, their pilots, their flight attendants were all out sick. right? and we had cancellation of flights left and right throughout the holiday surge. so these same corporations have to understand there are consequences when we remove those protective barriers that's not just death and hospitalizations. we concentrated a lot on that, and that is very important. but what we also know is that long covid does exist, that people with simple infections, simple infections and mild cases, have consequence that's are spanning years of where they're no longer having the same function of their body. and just to give the public an idea, even -- i'm an anesthesiologist. we do surgeries. there are studies that announce even if you had a covid infection, not a severe case, not a moderate case, you are at home recovering from covid, if you have surgery within seven weekser chances of death associated with pulmonary complications and complications with your surgery increases 25 times in elective cases. so that's the impact. you may not see it on the outside. but covid-19 definitely does change the way your body is functioning on the inside. >> all right. dr. ebony hilton, thank you for your time and for your expertise. and up next, infrastructure week is back. president biden's midterm pitch in new hampshire. what he just said. next. stick around. next stick around nina's got a lot of ideas for the future. and since anyone can create a free plan at fidelity, nina has a plan based on what matters most to her. and she can simply focus on right now. that's the planning effect. from fidelity. ♪ i'm defeated ♪ and she can simply focus on right now. ♪ feel mistreated ♪ ♪ i'm so angry, i'm singing a song ♪ ♪ cause i'm paying so much ♪ ♪ for home internet and that's just wrong! ♪ ♪ i've got t-mobile home internet! ♪ ♪ i feel happy ♪ great ♪ very happy! ♪ good for you ♪ look how much money i'm saving right now ♪ wait, really? ♪ there's no hidden fees, ♪ ♪ no price hikes, one cord ♪ ♪ bro, wow ♪ introducing t-mobile 5g home internet. just $50 bucks a month. it's that simple. ♪ ♪ president biden just finished speaking in new hampshire, where he touted his biggest legislative success ahead of this year's midterms. the president at portsmouths harbor emphasizing the billions in federal dollars to improve the state's ailing infrastructure. >> instead of turning away business we're sending a message. this port is open for business and will be for a long time. and we're sending the same message with our investments in roads and bridges here in new hampshire. >> this is part of a week-long push by the president to remind voters of that accomplishment, with stops in portland, oregon and seattle later this week. want to bring in nbc white house correspondent mike memoli who is with the president in portsmouth. quite a few stops on air force one for you and for the president this week. why the full-court press now and why those cities? >> reporter: well, garrett, it's interesting. as a fellow road warrior from the 2020 campaign, you'll remember one of the last times i was here was with then candidate joe biden, who left the state in a hurry before the polls even closed on primary day. not only did he skip ahead to south carolina, obviously on the road to winning the nomination, he never came back to new hampshire in the general election. this is a state he won in 2020 against donald trump by eight percentage points. but now new hampshire is home to two of some of the hottest midterm races we're going to see. senator maggie hassan, the democrat, seeking a second term as well as chris pappas, a congressman from here. this is a swing district that has gone back and forth so often. so it's interesting to see the president with his approval rating obviously on the downward trend, this is a astate that's much more competitive. but it's also interesting to see that both of those lawmakers were here with the president today. both of them touting the bipartisan work on the infrastructure while the president then in a refrain throughout the speech as he he was talking about what's in it for new hampshire, what's in it for the country, kept talking about maggie, chris and i. maggie, chris and i. so we're not seeing daylight at the moment between president biden and these democratic candidates. the question of course is as we get closer to the fall will that be the case? the president moving on from here to portland and to seattle, where he'll be raising some money for the party but also again appearing with some of those lawmakers who are integral in getting the infrastructure bill passed. now, it's important for the president. the white house really feels it's important that with so much downward pressure on his numbers, with democrats fearing a midterm blowout they need to tell their own story. and that's why we're seeing them certainly recognize that urgency and step up the pace as well, garrett. >> mike, thanks. we saw the president there shaking hands with new hampshire's republican governor chris sununu, who a lot of of republicans wanted to run in that senate race. without him in it may be chris pappas who has the harder job defending that seat. mike memoli in new hampshire, thank you. and up next, why a growing number of democrats running for senate are distancing themselves from president biden, at least on one major issue. plus how a group of voters may have a shot at disqualifying marjorie taylor greene from even running again. and doug. ♪ harp plays ♪ only two things are forever: love and liberty mutual customizing your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. (emu squawks) if anyone objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace. (emu squawks) (the crowd gasps) no, kevin, no! not today. only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ we're back with a look at some of the other top stories we're following right now. just when you thought it was time to break out the shorts, as much as a foot of snow falling in parts of the northeast, leaving more than 240,000 people without power this morning, mostly in new york state. you're looking at the snow in syracuse on your screen. but that area will fall out later this week when we are expecting warmer weather. moderna says its new modified covid shot can handle multiple variants. the new dose combines the original covid-19 formula to also target the beta strain, all in one shot. the company hasn't said yet if they're going to submit their new vaccine for fda authorization. and dozens of people are missing in south africa and more than 440 are dead after massive fl city of durban. one of the deadliest natural disasters in that country's history. and a federal judge is now allowing a legal challenge to marjorie taylor greene's re-election bid to move forward. the challenge from the activist group free speech for people says the congresswoman's role in the january 6th attack on the capitol makes her ineligible to run under the 14th amendment, which blocks any candidate who "engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding federal or state office." no response yet from greene's office or her lawyer on this latest ruling from the judge, but in her own lawsuit he she denies aiding in the insurrection and claims that the georgia law that activists are using to target her here is unconstitutional. when i hear constitutional question i think pete williams. we bring in now our justice correspondent. pete, so marjorie taylor greene says this lawsuit won't be resolved by georgia's primary anyway. she says this particular georgia law is unconstitutional. what's really going on here and what are the odds her name will be off this ballot by the time georgia voters have a chance to go vote? >> zero. the ballots have been printed. her name is on the ballot. so that question asked and answered. you're right. this lawsuit is about the constitutionality of the georgia law that allows any voter who can vote for a candidate to challenge that candidate's qualifications. now, georgia isn't alone in having this kind of a law. but marjorie taylor greene's lawyers say well, it violates her first amendment rights and the judge here has said no, there's no constitutionally recognized first amendment right to be a candidate. secondly, she says, it violates her rights under the constitution because only congress can be the judge of its own members. and the judge said that's true, its own members once they're elected. but the constitution also gives states the authority to decide the qualification of candidates and that's the difference. for all these reasons there are a number of claims that marjorie taylor greene's lawyers make here. so this ruling is not about whether she committed insurrection. it's whether the georgia law that allows this challenge is constitutional. and the judge says it is. she's rejected the constitutional challenge. so this other word challenge, this challenge to her candidacy moves forward now through the process. >> any idea, pete, when we might have a more definitive answer on whether or not she could move forward in this re-election bid? >> yeah, well, if she lost this process, by the way, if the state accepted the challenge and said yep, she's an insurrectionist, she can't be on the ballot, then even though her name is already on the ballot then votes wouldn't be counted. that's what's at stake here. >> got it. >> and the issue is whether or not the challenge can proceed. the state says that it will and they'll move very quickly to get this resolved, that they've always moved quickly in the past when these questions have come up. >> all right. pete williams, thank you very much. and from the house now to the senate, where democrats are running for senate are running away from president biden's latest immigration move. a new report out from politico detailing how some swing state senate candidates are now coming out against the president's plan to drop title 42. you'll remember that's the immigration policy the trump administration enforced at the start of the pandemic to keep migrants from crossing the border to try to slow the spread of covid. president biden announced an end to title 42 early this month, catching flak not just from republicans but now from members of his own party who are worried about this year's midterms. i want to bring in the reporter on that byline, politico's congressional bureau chief, my pal from the hallways of congress burgess everett. so burgess, just how serious is this backlash now getting against the white house and their plan to drop title 42? >> well, it's serious enough that the senate's homeland security chairman, who also happens to be the chairman of the party's campaign arm in the senate, gary peters, says he agrees with those candidates and those senators' criticisms of the biden administration's plan to change this policy. so it's very rare to get a break like this on the democratic side. and what's most interesting to me in talking to a bunch of these campaigns as well as the senators themselves who are up for re-election in about five swing states is that there's not many of them standing with the administration. in fact, tom nelson of wisconsin is the only one that we found in our reporting this week who is standing with the administration. >> so we've got a politico morning consult poll that came out this month that calls this biden's most unpopular move yet. you can see the numbers on the screen. 34% supporting. only 60% of democrats. he's upside down with independents. talk about the politics of this here if you are a senate candidate perhaps in a place like wisconsin or pennsylvania or ohio maybe. is this a place where candidates are trying to distance themselves from president biden to show they can kind of go their own way? how does the politics play out in these senate race where's it's not a democratic incumbent? >> yeah, totally. in these open seat races you typically wouldn't have candidates breaking from the administration this early. so that's something that's really interesting to me. also this policy is going into place in more than a month. so you've got to think at some point the administration is going to find a way to maybe cool these criticisms because i find them to be unsustainable. i mean, the election is more than six months away. you can't have members of your own party tossing bombs at the president about this for six months. the other thing is in the actual senate we saw this sort of derail the covid aid bill that had come together between mitt romney and chuck schumer. republicans are going to want to attach the delay of this to everything that comes through congress. so that'll make democrats up in these tough races take tough votes if that's the way this plays out. i find this to be an unsustainable position right now for president biden and democrats to be in. >> well, so that end, you guys over at politico have these new forecasts out. your forecast today shows republicans likely to take the house and as the key races that would decide the senate leaning republican. if this is an unresolved issue or if title 42 is removed and you still have democrats on the opposite side of it, does this become -- does this leapfrog even inflation perhaps to become the issue that republicans will really seize on to try to run on as we get into the months where more voters are starting to think about the midterm elections? >> i think the issue with this isn't necessarily that it's as broad as inflation because that's going to affect every voter, every person in the country, hits them in the pocketbook. the problem for this is that in maybe appealing to more conservative or moderate voters these democrats might turn off more liberal voters who want folks to stand up and back up the biden administration right now on this title 42 change. democrats complained when the trump administration and activists, they worried it would lead to an end to asylum claims. i do think you're going to start to see democrats start to worry about losing their coalition and breaking apart if this were to continue. and these senate races will be super close. a lot of talk about -- that race was decided by 1,000 votes in 2016. if you lose 1,000 supporters based on your immigration position, that could cost you a senate race. >> every vote is going to count in those battleground states. burgess everett of politico, thank you for your reporting and for coming on today. >> thanks, garrett. still ahead, young gun reform activists are losing patience with democrats here in washington. we'll talk to one of them about why he's taking today's protest to new york. - i'm szasz. [norm] and we live in columbia, missouri. we do consulting, but we also write. [szasz] we take care of ourselves constantly; it's important. we walk three to five times a week, a couple miles at a time. - we've both been taking prevagen for a little more than 11 years now. after about 30 days of taking it, we noticed clarity that we didn't notice before. - it's still helping me. i still notice a difference. prevagen. healthier brain. better life. [sound of helicopter blades] i still notice a difference. ugh... they found me. ♪ ♪ nice suits, you guys blend right in. the world needs you back. i'm retired greg, you know this. people have their money just sitting around doing nothing... that's bad, they shouldn't do that. they're getting crushed by inflation. well, i feel for them. they're taking financial advice from memes. [baby spits out milk] i'll get my onesies®. ♪ “baby one more time” by britney spears ♪ good to have you back, old friend. yeah, eyes on the road, benny. welcome to a new chapter in investing. [ding] e*trade now from morgan stanley. as a main street bank, pnc has helped over 7 million kids develop their passion for learning. and now we're providing 88 billion dollars to support underserved communities... ...helping us all move forward financially. pnc bank: see how we can make a difference for you. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ we believe there's an innovator in all of us. ♪ ♪ that's why we build technology that makes it possible for every business... and every person... to come to the table and do more incredible things. never be afraid of your strength, because your body is capable of amazing things. own your strength, and see how far it takes you. tonal. be your strongest. you're pretty particular about keeping a healthy body. what goes on it... usually. ♪♪ in it... mostly. even what gets near your body. please please please take that outside. here to meet those high standards is the walgreens health and wellness brand. over 2000 products. rigorously tested. walgreens pharmacist recommended... and particularly kind to your wallet. ♪♪ ready to style in just one step? introducing new tresemme one step stylers. five professional benefits. one simple step. totally effortless. styling has never been easier. tresemme. do it with style. take a look at these scenes from new york city from a little more than an hour ago. those are body bags brought to chuck schumer's office by youth activists calling for urgent accident on gun safety. they are demanding legislation on background checks be brought before the senate for a vote. that's something to what he promised to do more than a year ago. >> now we don't have a republican majority. we have a democratic one. this time is going to be different. a democratic majority in the senate is going to act. i have committed to put legislation to expand background checks on the floor of the senate. we will debate it. we will vote on it. >> with me now is a cofounder of march for our lives, david hogg. i've asked senator schumer about that legislation a bunch of times, looking for updates. talk to me about why you took this action outside his office today and what response, if any, you got. >> we need action immediately to introduce background checks to the senate and we're not getting it from senator schumer despite him promising him that. we met with a member of his staff outside of the office and the staff said we're very committed to this issue and we're not afraid to introduce things that fail. i said well, obviously you can just introduce this in the first place. reality is i'm trying to show young people that our vote does matter. that we have an impact, but right now, it's really hard to do that if we don't even have this bill to introduce for a vote like schumer said he was going to do. >> you and i can do the math. there aren't 60 votes in the senate now for universal background check legislation, but you want this fight even if it's not going to pass. why? >> to show young people that their voice and vote especially matters when they do turn out and vote in the first place. sure, it may not pass because there's 60 votes, but think about the voting rights legislation that's been introduced. all the other bills that have been introduced in the senate that again, that member of chuck schumer's staff said they are not afraid to fail and he said themselves they're going to introduce background checks. mind you, a policy supported by over 80% of americans to the senate and bring it to a vote and we need to get people on the record about this, too, in the first place because the reality is the excuse of well, we don't have enough votes for this right now is always going to be there. i find it extremely hard to believe that democrats will ever have a filibuster proof majority in the next ten years let alone one that will actually vote on something like universal background checks. that's why we need people to join by texting join to 954954. help put pressure on them. >> how do you, march for our live, view the calculus behind putting pressure on schumer as opposed to the white house? the white house could take more action, but it's not going to have the same teeth as legislation. >> marnl for our lives has met several times with higher ups in the white house to get action and we have made some progress. not as much as i would like to have seen, but still some progress from the white house and that's what we're trying to get from the senate now. the other thing that i want to point out is look, we talk so much constantly on tv about what we don't agree on. we see politicians fund raising. we see it on twitter, cnn, fox, everywhere. what we don't see though is what we can agree on. even if it's background checks or funding for violence intervention programs, we need to find the one thing we can agree on because i can respect the fact people have different opinions that i have, but i can't respect the fact that we aren't doing anything about e. the reality is there's the equivalent of several parklands happening every day. >> working hard to keep this issue in the national spotlight. thank you for your work and thank you for coming on. >> thank you. and thank you all for watching this hour of msnbc. deadline white house starts right after this quick break. deadline white house starts right after this quick break n't. i grow all my own vegetables shingles doesn't care. we've still got the best moves you've ever seen good for you, but shingles doesn't care. because 1 in 3 people will get shingles, you need protection. but, no matter how healthy you feel, your immune system declines as you age increasing your risk for getting shingles. so, what can protect you? shingrix protects. you can protect yourself from shingles with a vaccine proven to be over 90% effective. shingrix is a vaccine used to prevent shingles in adults 50 years and older. shingrix does not protect everyone and is not for those with severe allergic reactions to its ingredients or to a previous dose. an increased risk of guillain-barré syndrome was observed after getting shingrix. fainting can also happen. the most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach. ask your pharmacist or doctor about shingrix. shingles doesn't care. but you should. with my hectic life, you'd think retirement would be the last thing on my mind. thankfully, voya provides comprehensive solutions, and shows me how to get the most out of my workplace benefits. voya helps me feel like i got it all under control. voya. well planned. well invested. well protected. at fidelity, you can make a free plan for what matters, even if you don't have it all figured out. it's more like...a feeling. turning that feeling into a roadmap...for free? that's the planning effect from fidelity. it's an important time to save. with priceline, you can get up to 60% off amazing hotels. and when you get a big deal... you feel like a big deal. ♪♪ priceline. every trip is a big deal. >> tech: when you have auto glass damage, trust safelite. this dad and daughter were driving when they got a crack in their windshield. [smash] >> dad: it's okay. pull over. >> tech: he wouldn't take his car just anywhere... ♪ pop rock music ♪ >> tech: ...so he brought it to safelite. we replaced the windshield and recalibrated their car's advanced safety system, so features like automatic emergency braking will work properly. >> tech: alright, all finished. >> dad: wow, that's great. thanks. >> tech: stay safe with safelite. schedule now. >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ hi there, everyone. it's 4:00 in new york. in the words of one prominent conservative lawyer, it is the clearest and most present danger to our democracy. that's the insidious big lie that the 2020 election was stolen. the conspiracy theory that led to the worst attack on the u.s. capitol in more than 200 years has a sequel. one that's being peddled on tv appearances and podcasts and in state houses across the country how the disgraced ex-president and his allies

Related Keywords

People , It , U S , No One , Progressive , Stevensons , Seat , Know , Boat Insurance , Thoms , Bathroom , Coats , Money Bundling , One , More , Movie , Home , Auto , Parents , Coat Wrangler , World War Ii , Afternod Russia , Msnbc , Ukrai Focus , Offensive , Eastern Ukraine , Crisis , Security Council , Pentagon , Update , Meeting , Stage , Military Operation , U N , Courtney Kube , Kyiv , Countries , Washington D C , Matt Bradley , Foreign Correspondent , Nbc News , Hallie Jackson , Haake , Retired Army , 5 Million , Peter Zwack , East , Russia , Ukraine , Defense Attache , Everything , Reporter , South , Ground , Plays Out , Region , Donbas , Difference , Something , Eight , Kind , Increase , Authorities , Shaping Operations , Air Strikes , Whimper , Bang , Tempo , Race , Things , Forces , Crosshairs , Country , Course , Fight , Vladimir Putin , Part , It East , Wouldn T , Ntz Eastern , Readjustment , Conflict , Thing , Victory , Humiliation , Steppe , Prairie , Terrain , Towns , Majority , Population , Fields , Analysts , Hasn T , Hearing , War Into Ukraine , Allegiances , Russian Military , Problems , Really , Outskirts , Beginning , Capital , Lack , Organization , Problem , Military Units , Logistics , Morale , Kharkiv , Fighting , Units , Zelenskyy , Blitzkrieg Attack , Russia Hasn T , Signaling , Military , Game Changer , Garrett , Stuff , Assault , Set , Pivot , Attack , Axes , Differences , There Aren T Large Population Centers , Number One , Two , Russians , Advantage , Offense , Rebetments , Sort , Wash , Defense , Effort , Couple , Izyum , Area , Central East , Arrayed , Forces Operation Area , Ukrainian Military There , Dnipro River , Issues , Addition , Sides , Support , Sea Of Azov , Southeast , The Crimea , Black Sea , Some , Areas , Beginnings , Operations , Donbas Area , Uptick , Activity , Battlefield , Invasion , Donetsk , 24 , Defense Official , Ground Movement , Shaping , Artillery , Question , Phase , Notion , Hold , Fact , Wall , Zwack , Objective , Parts , Force , Line , Contact , Growing Push , Main Line , Entrenchments , Northwest , Pincer , Mariupol , Don T Have A Number 10000 20000 Russian Troops , Pins , Stalingrad , 20000 , 10000 , Ways , World War I , Footage , Flank , Aspects , Rocket Launchers , Cold War , Fulda Gap , Turn , Ordnance , Fire , Counterbattery , Drones , Gigantically , Piece , Intangible , The X Factor , Troops , Spirit , Motivation , Number , Power , Bit , Grit , Belarus , Numbers , Brute Force , Ugly Attritional Fight , Ptsd , Shock , City , Pictures , Generation , Moxie , Capability , Worth Reiterating , Resistance , Side , Russia South , Throat , Bone , Battles , Cyborg Defenses , Epic , 2015 , 2014 , Epic Thing , South Down , Flow , Now , Coast , Odesa , Pentagon Briefing , Easter , Victory Day , May , Don T Go Too Far , 9 May , 9 , Joe Biden , Masks , Travelers , World S Busiest Airport , Experts , Time , Road , Mask Ruling , Plus , Marjorie Taylor Greene , Congresswoman , Ballot , Re Election , Spaghetti , Flight , Kickstart , At , Up Tg , Times , Breath , Doctor , Condition , Didn T Wait , Book , Atrial Fibrillation , Symptoms , Stroke , Doctors , Five , Protection , Chest Pain , Heartbeat , Shortness , Lightheadedness , Fatigue , Tick , Flea , Heart Racing , Trip , Broooo , Chew , Bravecto , Priceline , Yawn , Bravo , Big Winner , 3 , 12 , Body , Deal , Broooooo , Unison , Disappointed , Splash , Outside , Health , Brand , Standards , Wellness , Products , Walgreens , 2000 , Pharmacist , Wallet , Program , Smile , Statin Drug , Omelette , Bacon , Cheese , Plate , Pancoins , Omelette Purchase , Cholesterol , Levels , Coq10 , Ihop , Three , Statin Medication , Qunol , Qunol Coq10 , Technology , Internet , Choices , Needs , Lots , Business Internet , Business Solutions , Businesses , Security , Fiber Solutions , Choice , Largest , Speeds , Network , Provider , Gigs , 10 , Weight , Company , Voice , Price , Price Guarantee , Call Today , 9 99 , 2 , 49 99 , Most , Insulin Resistance , Reason , Don T , They Don T Work , Starvation , Release , Golo , Sugar Cravings , At Last , Stress , Eating , Fat , Administration , Judge , Reaction , Airplanes , Transportation , Striking , Buses , Requirement , Care , Airlines , Masking , Many , Car Services , Nation , Physician , Atlanta Airport , 180 , States , Melanie Hilton , Takeoff , Mask Mandate Removal , 31 , Oxygen Mask , Modified Covid , Folks , Cases , Airport , Half , Point , Plane , Handful , Pilot , 6 , 00 , Story , Freedom , Relief , Mask Mandate , Mandate , Vaccines , Safe , Little , Plans , Now Garrett , List , Airline , Southwest , Alaska Airlines , United , Delta , Response , Kelly O Donnell , White House , Kelly , Mask Mandates , Gary Grumbach , Uber , Lyft , Amtrak , Group , Colleagues , Move , Journalists , Travel Pool Today , Cdc , Data , Lead Agency , Variant , Decision , Order Cut , Sense , Places , Virus , Action , Position , Department Of Justice , Passengers , Airplane , Decisions , Decision Making , Train , Vaccine , Reasons , Family Members , Children , Comments , Message , Process , Room , Travel , Air Force One , Vans , Place , Authority , Steps , Meetings , Rule , Question Mark , New Hampshire , Segment , Government , Wep , Comment , Infrastructure Pl , Context , Dr , Acting , Spread , Court Decision , Listen , Director , Richard Besser , Argument , Risk , Doesn T , Diseases , Issue , Whether , Chief Of Staff , Pandemics , Hallmarks , Preparedness , Preparation , Predecessor , Disease , Footprint , Service , Ebola Czar , Kinds , Public Health , Variations , Coronavirus , 19 , New York State , Advice , Situation , Counsel , State Health Measures , Directions , Life Saving , Pandemic , Questions , Effect , Magnitude , Title , Immigration Context , Experience , 42 , Talk , Ebony Hilton , Waiting , Tv Equivalent , Waiting Room , Impact , End , Hospitalizations , Deaths , Degree , Board , 15 , Caseloads , Home Tests , Timing , Globe , College Students , Spring Break , Community , Transmitting , Its , 65 , 30 , 5 , Dose , Persons , Air Travel , Person , Left , Trouble , Mask , Consideration , Neighbor , Neighbors , Weekend , Idea , Viewpoint , Travel Mandates , Restaurant , Office Building , Dallas , Measure , Mandates , Control , Environment , Shouldn T , Positive , Pressure , Corporations , Measures , Order , Shirt , Quarantine , Staff , Flight Attendants , Holiday Surge , Pilots , Flights , Omicron , Cancellation , Ten , Death , Barriers , Consequences , Infections , Surgeries , Consequence , Exist , Function , Public , Anesthesiologist , Case , Complications , Studies , Chances , Covid Infection , Weekser , Seven , Surgery , Inside , 25 , Expertise , Ideas , Next , Pitch , Plan , Nina , Planning Effect , Fidelity , Anyone , Feel , Money , Song , T Mobile , Fees , Cord Bro , Price Hikes , Simple , Bucks , 50 , 0 Bucks , President , Midterms , Speaking , Success , Portsmouths Harbor , Business , Infrastructure , Port , Turning Away Business , Billions , Voters , Roads , Investments , Stops , Bridges , Accomplishment , Seattle , Portland , Oregon , Mike Memoli , Full Court Press , Cities , Portsmouth , On The Road , Campaign , Polls , Hurry , Road Warrior , Nomination , South Carolina , 2020 , Election , Races , Maggie Hassan , Points , Democrat , Term , Donald Trump , Chris Pappas , Swing District , Trend , Astate , Approval Rating , Lawmakers , Speech , Work , Both , Refrain , Candidates , The Party , Maggie , Infrastructure Bill , Blowout , Senate , Chris Sununu , Republican , Hands , Pace , Urgency , Job , Car Insurance , Shot , Love , Harp , Disqualifying Marjorie Taylor Greene , Liberty Mutual Customizing , Peace , Marriage , Crowd Gasps , Emu Squawks , Kevin , Liberty , Pay , Look , Morning , Stories , Foot , Northeast , Shorts , Snow Falling , Snow , 240000 , Variants , Weather , Screen , Beta Strain , Moderna , Formula , Authorization , Dozens , City Of Durban , Fda , South Africa , 440 , Challenge , Re Election Bid , Activist Group , History , Disasters , Insurrection , State Office , Capitol , Rebellion , Role , 14th Amendment , January 6th , 14 , Activists , Office , Lawyer , Georgia Law , Lawsuit , Ruling , Aiding , Pete Williams , Justice , Correspondent , Primary , Georgia , Vote , Name , Ballots , Chance , Odds , Zero , Voter , Constitutionality , Law , Georgia Isn T , Qualifications , Constitution , Lawyers , Rights , First Amendment Rights , No , First Amendment , Members , Congress , Qualification , Claims , Candidacy , Word , Answer , Estate , Insurrectionist , Yep , Stake , House , Politico , Immigration Move , Swing State , Immigration Policy , Start , Border , Migrants , Flak , Byline , Politico S Congressional Bureau Chief , Backlash , Hallways , Pal , Congress Burgess Everett , Policy , Criticisms , Senators , Homeland Security Chairman , Chairman , Campaign Arm , Gary Peters , Break , Swing States , Campaigns , Bunch , Reporting , Poll , Wisconsin , Tom Nelson , Politics , Independents , Pennsylvania , Ohio , 34 , 60 , Incumbent , Seat Races , Party Tossing Bombs , Six , Delay , Aid Bill , Chuck Schumer , Mitt Romney , Votes , Forecasts , You Guys Over , Forecast , Leaning , Inflation , Elections , Pocketbook , Change , Asylum Claims , Coalition , 2016 , 1000 , Thanks , Battleground States , Burgess Everett , Supporters , Immigration Position , Young Gun Reform Activists , Consulting , Protest , Patience , Taking Today , Szasz , Columbia , Missouri , Prevagen , Clarity , 11 , Life , Healthier Brain , Sound , Suits , Helicopter Blades , World , Baby One More Time , Baby , Nothing , Memes , Milk , Onesies , Britney Spears , Greg , Kids , Investing , Passion , Eyes , Chapter , Learning , Friend , Morgan Stanley , Pnc , Main Street Bank , Benny , E Trade , 88 Billion , 7 Million , 88 Billion Dollars , Communities , Bank , Innovator , Strength , Table , Strongest , Tonal , Style , Step , Benefits , Step Stylers , Styling , Tresemme , Office By Youth Activists , Scenes , Body Bags , New York City , Legislation , Gun Safety , Background , Accident , Background Checks , Floor , Act , Senator , Lives , Cofounder , Updates , Legislation A Bunch Of Times , David Hogg , Member , Fail , Reality , Matter , Bill , Schumer , Background Check Legislation , There Aren T , Math , Bills , Voting Rights , Well , Excuse , Record , 80 , Filibuster , Help Put Pressure , Live , Calculus , 954954 , 954954 Help , Progress , Ups , Teeth , Marnl , Tv , Politicians , Everywhere , Raising , Funding , Cnn , Twitter , Fox , Opinions , Violence Intervention Programs , Anything , E The Reality , Equivalent , Parklands , Spotlight , Doesn T Care , Moves , Vegetables , Break N T , Shingles , Shingrix , Immune System Declines , 1 , Everyone , Reactions , Ingredients , Guillain BarrÉ Syndrome , 90 , Fainting , Muscle Pain , Side Effects , Tiredness , Swelling , Shivering , Injection Site , Headache , Redness , Stomach , Fever , Shingles Doesn T Care , Voya , Last Thing On My Mind , Retirement , Workplace , Solutions , Well Invested , At Fidelity , Feeling , Matters , Hotels , Dad , Car , Windshield , Pop Rock Music Tech , Trust Safelite , He Wouldn T , Anywhere , Glass , Daughter , Smash , Pull Over , Crack , Safety System , Safelite , Features , Singers , Stay Safe With Safelite , Automatic Emergency Braking , Safelite Repair , Democracy , Danger , Conspiracy Theory , Words , Big Lie , 4 , Ex President , State Houses , Led , Sequel , Tv Appearances , Podcasts , Allies , U S Capitol , 200 ,