Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom With Poppy Harlow And Jim

Interview a short time ago. Senator sanders, you are going to run for president . I am going to run for president , thats correct. Whats going to be different this time . Were going to win. That would be a difference. Ryan nobles joins us now. You were out on the campaign trail with sanders. Whats the level of excitement . There is a lane for Bernie Sanders. He has a lot of loyal support he had in 2016. There are a lot of people pointing out hes not officially a democrat and, b, he is older compared to the rest of the field. The big thing sanders has going for him is the Democratic Party is closer to where he is on hot button issues. In 2016, many issues like medicare for all, free college tuition, a 15 minimum wage were considered to be radical. Now it seem s to be the price o entry in the 2020 democratic field. Bernie sanders wants to make it clear to democratic voters while all the candidates are talking about the issues now, he was the leader. Take a listen. In 2016 many of the ideas that i talked about medicare for all, raising the minimum wage to 15 an hour, making public colleges and universities tuitionfree, all of those ideas people said, oh, bernie, they are so radical. The American People wont accept those things. Do you know what happened over three years . All of those ideas and more are now part of the political mainstream. Of course he has a distinct advantage because he has a vast network of online donors. He never turned off that spigot from the 2016 campaign. He announced at 7 00 eastern time. They have donations pouring in from all 50 states. No matter what, Bernie Sanders will be a force to be reckoned with. A lot of candidates would envy that network. Ryan, thank you very much. Now we discuss with dana bash and jeff zeleny, senior White House Correspondent in New Hampshire today. Thanks to you both. Dana, i wonder, big picture. Bernie sanders, one of his chief advantages in 2016 is he was really the only option b for democrats. Now you have a very crowded field including specifically a crowded field left of center. To the left end of the party. Where does he fit in today . Hes clearly the original of the modern day part of the field. But hes now in a crowded part of the field. Maybe one of the most telling examples of that reality for Bernie Sanders is a statement that democracy for america put out. This is a Progressive Group that endorsed Bernie Sanders early on in 2016. Now this group is saying that although they did in 2016, blessed with a diverse field of candidates we are looking forward to seeing how sanders and the movement behind him make the case for Political Revolution in a very different 2020 contest. Again, i think that says it all. On the revolution theme, you know your history, jim. Sometimes revolutions eat their leaders. This might be the case. Or maybe its not. Thats quite a phrase. Jeff zeleny, sanders is right when he says a lot of the positions that were outliers in 2016, particularly between sanders and Hillary Clinton health care for all, et cetera, if they are not main stream, you have several other Democratic Candidates who were staking out positions there. Does that make it harder for sanders to distinguish himself, to stand out in this field . I think it does in the sense that hes not the one alternative. Hes not the alternative on the policy side. Hes not the only alternative to anyone but Hillary Clinton. It makes it much harder in many ways. One thing he has going for him, of many things, hes done it before. He knows what it takes to run for president. He has the supporters. One thing i detect above all from any democratic voter, any independent voter, they dont know who they are supporting yet. This is the beginning of this. They want to find someone to defeat donald trump. Thats the difference maker in the entire election from four years ago. At that point it was an open seat. The fact that all of these democrats are running against donald trump is going to sort of change everything in terms of how voters are looking for someone. Speaking of donald trump, he is just welcoming senator sanders into the race. He issued a statement a few moments ago. Of course hes talking about socialism. So Bernie Sanders even running for president again is playing directly into the trump argument where he believes the Democratic Party, all the candidates simply are socialists. Bernie sanders is still an independent. Hes running as a democrat. This is one of the complicating factors for the party. No question at all a difference for Bernie Sanders is that hell be compared visavis can he beat donald trump. A lot of democrats, yes, they want parity and pragmatism. Who can attract voters here . Thats a challenge for him. There is more to discuss. Another of a half dozen senators trying for the democratic president ial nomination wrapping up her first visit to New Hampshire. Of course i speak of senator Kamala Harris. Cnns kim la is traveling with her in manchester. What message is she trying to stake out there, particularly as her competition grows in this race . Reporter getting to jeffs point about 2020 being a different game than 2016, senator harris is trying to stake out a new path, a new way forward. This is a chance for the people in this room, a New Hampshire tradition to shake the hand of somebody, see the candidate up close. Something vitally important in New Hampshire. This room is absolutely buzzing about senator Bernie Sanders jumping in. I talked to people who said they are very excited to see a big name jump in for the democrats. I spoke to another woman with the 2020 perspective. She said, quote, i wish he would just go away. I am sick of old white guys. She wants to see Kamala Harris get in. She wants to meet her. To give you a sense of some of the energy we have seen, i want you to look at some of this video. This was the senators town hall last night in portsmouth, New Hampshire. They packed this church. People filled it. Hundreds of people. The fire marshal had to close the doors. They filled the basement, the sanctuary. People outside refused to leave, even as the snow came down hard on them. The senator came outside to thank them and asked them to go inside. Just one snapshot of some of the energy for some of the new people in the race. Jim . Crowd size, something to watch in the rallies. Thank you very much. The panel is back, dana and jeff. This goes to the point we were discussing before. Visiting New Hampshire. A key first state. Harris saying she is not a democratic socialist. Why does she consider that important . Well, first of all, New Hampshire is different than a lot of states for a lot of reasons. The fact that shes even going to New Hampshire and making the case that shes going to be in New Hampshire is noteworthy. You think, maybe not. Of course shes running for president. Why wouldnt she go to New Hampshire . There are a lot of neighboring politicians, neighboring candidates who are running. Elizabeth warren, massachusetts, neighbor. Bernie sanders, vermont, neighbor. Others who have been there who are better known in New Hampshire. This is Kamala Harriss first trip to New Hampshire. When you think about it those of us who covered president ial politics, when the person is born or able to walk and thinks about running for president they make a trip to New Hampshire. The fact that this is her first is interesting. It allows them to see a fresh face, but things dont change much in New Hampshire. If she wants to make a play in New Hampshire theyll expect her to be in their living rooms day in, day out. Thats how you win New Hampshire. I dont care what year it is. Jeff zeleny, you wrote a great piece about amy klobuchar, another entrant to the race who is trying to stake out a more centrist position and her willingness to say no to democratic voters. There was a towcnn town hall la night. Have a listen. No medicare for all . It could be a possibility in the future. Im looking at something that will work now. Yes or no, do you support free college for all . No. Im not for free college for all. They are aspirations. We can get close. I dont think well get rid of industries in the u. S. That, jeff zeleny, is an intentional message. No doubt about it. I was struck sitting in the audience. She was saying no a lot and not pandering at all. One thing we see from so many president ial candidates in New Hampshire, other places, they come and essentially say what the voters want to hear. Senator klobuchar wasnt doing that. Aspirationally she said she supports these things, but the fact is the government cannot support free college for all. In her view, medicare for all will not work. She was talking about a pragmatic approach. Is there a market for that type of realism . Is there a market for the political reality here that these things are difficult . Shell try it out. Its the same thing shes been talking to voters about. She was in iowa over the weekend, wisconsin as well and then here in New Hampshire. She sounded like a senator. In many president ial campaigns gone by thats too wonky and doesnt sound good to voters. It might be more appealing in this sense where facts are at a premium. She was bringing her knowledge and experience here. If that Still Matters anymore, she certainly has a good argument to make on some of these things. But with Bernie Sanders jumping in, all of the other the energy is on the lefthand side of the party. Will she be able to find a lane more in the middle . Well see. She certainly is leaning in to that despite how much the winds are blowing from the left. Oh, those iowa and New Hampshire voters will be busy. We have a year to go. Dana bash, jeff zeleny, thank you very much. Former acting fbi director dra Andrew Mccabe said he had reason to suspect President Trump was a National Security threat and thats why the fbi opened an investigation. An investigation he says that top leaders in congress didnt object to when they were informed. Plus, 16 states are suing to block the president s National Emergency declaration. How will this play out in court . Its going to be a long battle. Back on the bench, Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg has returned to the Supreme Court for the first time after her surgery. Well be there live. Stay with us. If you have moderate to severe psoriasis, Little Things can be a big deal. Thats why theres otezla. Otezla is not a cream. Its a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. With otezla, 75 clearer skin is achievable. Dont use if youre allergic to otezla. It may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Otezla is associated with an increased risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. Tell your doctor about your medicines, and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ready to treat differently with a pill . Otezla. Show more of you. Ready to treat differently with a pill . No one will love you. Like i do no one will hold you. Like i do dare to be devoted. Jared®. Dare to stop searching, with jareds unparalleled selection of diamonds. And price match guarantee. Dare to be devoted. Only at jared®. At to cover the essentialsyou have in retirement, as well as all the things you want to do. Because when youre ready for what comes next, the only direction is forward. Discover. O i like your card, but im absolutely not paying an annual fee. Discover has no annual fees. Really . Yeah. We just dont believe in them. Oh nice. You would not believe how long ive been rehearsing that. No annual fee on any card. Only from discover. Dad hiding when i was supposed to be quitting. I thought, i should try something that works. I should try nicorette. Nicorette mini relieves sudden cravings fast. Anytime. Anywhere. Nicorette mini. You know why. We know how. Did you order a counterintelligence investigation into the president . I did. Is that tantamount to saying you felt there was reason to suspect that he was a National Security threat . Is that what it means . It is saying that we had information that led us to believe that there might be a threat to National Security. In this case, that the president himself might, in fact, be a threat to the United States National Security. Those are remarkable words. We have heard a lot of comments about the investigation through the years. Thats a former acting director of the fbi saying the fbi had evidence to suggest they made no conclusions, but to suggest the president himself was a threat to National Security. A short time ago mccabe also released an interview with the atlantic where he says the fact is we were building to this point for months before jim was fired of course jim comey we had several cases under the umbrella investigation of the russia case. The suspicion built over months. Remarkable things to hear. Cnn justice correspondent evan perez is with me now. Not only did mccabe confirm the fbi was concerned the president was a threat but they kept congress informed, the gang of 8. How did they react . Thats right. I think what mccabe is trying to do here is push back prerhaps o criticism that starting this represented a coup of some sort against the elected president of the United States. Take a listen to what else he had to say. This was a recommendation that came from my team. I reviewed it with our lawyers and discussed it at length did you Tell Congress . I told congress what we had done. Did anybody object . Thats the important part here. Nobody objected. Not on legal grounds, constitutional grounds and not based on the facts. There you have his reaction there. He says the reaction from congress essentially was to proceed with the investigation. Hes doing a little bit of cleanup if you see the atlantic interview. People thought interpreted his previous comments to be this investigation was predicated because the president fired james comey. Hes saying it was more than that. There was evidence being gathered prior to it. Listen, its interesting there. Of course you are hearing from a lot of republicans, the president supporters says this was a coup. The gang of 8 included republicans. They had an opportunity to say this aint going to happen and they didnt do it. You have had a difference in Public Comments between mccabe and the soon to be former Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein. Tell us what we have learned from mccabes comments lately as to what those actual differences were. Well, i think certainly Rod Rosenstein doesnt view some of the comments about the 25th amendment, some of those comments about wearing a wire, he doesnt believe those were actually comments that were serious. You notice that the department of justice put out statements denying generally what mccabe is saying, but they are not attacking the central premise which is that Rod Rosenstein may have made the comments. Now we know Rod Rosenstein is telling people he plans to leave mid march. That tells us a little bit about what we are seeing is perhaps the end of the mueller investigation. We know one of the things Rod Rosenstein wanted to do was to stay in place until he knew the investigation was either done or almost done to protect the investigation. So the end because it is coming to an end not because hell walk the plank. No, no. We anticipated it was something he was planning to do already. These comments from mccabe arent exactly a surprise. Okay. Evan perez, thank you very much. Lets speak more about this Andrew Mccabe speaks to Anderson Cooper tonight on cnn at 8 00 eastern time. Here with me now, sean turner, former director of communications for the National Intelligence. And jeffrey toobin. Sean, if i could start with you, given your years of experience in the u. S. Intelligence community. When you have a former acting director of the fbi say the fbi had evidence to justify at least a question as to whether the president of the United States himself was a threat to Bernie Sanders<\/a>. He has a lot of loyal support he had in 2016. There are a lot of people pointing out hes not officially a democrat and, b, he is older compared to the rest of the field. The big thing sanders has going for him is the Democratic Party<\/a> is closer to where he is on hot button issues. In 2016, many issues like medicare for all, free college tuition, a 15 minimum wage were considered to be radical. Now it seem s to be the price o entry in the 2020 democratic field. Bernie sanders wants to make it clear to democratic voters while all the candidates are talking about the issues now, he was the leader. Take a listen. In 2016 many of the ideas that i talked about medicare for all, raising the minimum wage to 15 an hour, making public colleges and universities tuitionfree, all of those ideas people said, oh, bernie, they are so radical. The American People<\/a> wont accept those things. Do you know what happened over three years . All of those ideas and more are now part of the political mainstream. Of course he has a distinct advantage because he has a vast network of online donors. He never turned off that spigot from the 2016 campaign. He announced at 7 00 eastern time. They have donations pouring in from all 50 states. No matter what, Bernie Sanders<\/a> will be a force to be reckoned with. A lot of candidates would envy that network. Ryan, thank you very much. Now we discuss with dana bash and jeff zeleny, senior White House Correspondent<\/a> in New Hampshire<\/a> today. Thanks to you both. Dana, i wonder, big picture. Bernie sanders, one of his chief advantages in 2016 is he was really the only option b for democrats. Now you have a very crowded field including specifically a crowded field left of center. To the left end of the party. Where does he fit in today . Hes clearly the original of the modern day part of the field. But hes now in a crowded part of the field. Maybe one of the most telling examples of that reality for Bernie Sanders<\/a> is a statement that democracy for america put out. This is a Progressive Group<\/a> that endorsed Bernie Sanders<\/a> early on in 2016. Now this group is saying that although they did in 2016, blessed with a diverse field of candidates we are looking forward to seeing how sanders and the movement behind him make the case for Political Revolution<\/a> in a very different 2020 contest. Again, i think that says it all. On the revolution theme, you know your history, jim. Sometimes revolutions eat their leaders. This might be the case. Or maybe its not. Thats quite a phrase. Jeff zeleny, sanders is right when he says a lot of the positions that were outliers in 2016, particularly between sanders and Hillary Clinton<\/a> health care for all, et cetera, if they are not main stream, you have several other Democratic Candidates<\/a> who were staking out positions there. Does that make it harder for sanders to distinguish himself, to stand out in this field . I think it does in the sense that hes not the one alternative. Hes not the alternative on the policy side. Hes not the only alternative to anyone but Hillary Clinton<\/a>. It makes it much harder in many ways. One thing he has going for him, of many things, hes done it before. He knows what it takes to run for president. He has the supporters. One thing i detect above all from any democratic voter, any independent voter, they dont know who they are supporting yet. This is the beginning of this. They want to find someone to defeat donald trump. Thats the difference maker in the entire election from four years ago. At that point it was an open seat. The fact that all of these democrats are running against donald trump is going to sort of change everything in terms of how voters are looking for someone. Speaking of donald trump, he is just welcoming senator sanders into the race. He issued a statement a few moments ago. Of course hes talking about socialism. So Bernie Sanders<\/a> even running for president again is playing directly into the trump argument where he believes the Democratic Party<\/a>, all the candidates simply are socialists. Bernie sanders is still an independent. Hes running as a democrat. This is one of the complicating factors for the party. No question at all a difference for Bernie Sanders<\/a> is that hell be compared visavis can he beat donald trump. A lot of democrats, yes, they want parity and pragmatism. Who can attract voters here . Thats a challenge for him. There is more to discuss. Another of a half dozen senators trying for the democratic president ial nomination wrapping up her first visit to New Hampshire<\/a>. Of course i speak of senator Kamala Harris<\/a>. Cnns kim la is traveling with her in manchester. What message is she trying to stake out there, particularly as her competition grows in this race . Reporter getting to jeffs point about 2020 being a different game than 2016, senator harris is trying to stake out a new path, a new way forward. This is a chance for the people in this room, a New Hampshire<\/a> tradition to shake the hand of somebody, see the candidate up close. Something vitally important in New Hampshire<\/a>. This room is absolutely buzzing about senator Bernie Sanders<\/a> jumping in. I talked to people who said they are very excited to see a big name jump in for the democrats. I spoke to another woman with the 2020 perspective. She said, quote, i wish he would just go away. I am sick of old white guys. She wants to see Kamala Harris<\/a> get in. She wants to meet her. To give you a sense of some of the energy we have seen, i want you to look at some of this video. This was the senators town hall last night in portsmouth, New Hampshire<\/a>. They packed this church. People filled it. Hundreds of people. The fire marshal had to close the doors. They filled the basement, the sanctuary. People outside refused to leave, even as the snow came down hard on them. The senator came outside to thank them and asked them to go inside. Just one snapshot of some of the energy for some of the new people in the race. Jim . Crowd size, something to watch in the rallies. Thank you very much. The panel is back, dana and jeff. This goes to the point we were discussing before. Visiting New Hampshire<\/a>. A key first state. Harris saying she is not a democratic socialist. Why does she consider that important . Well, first of all, New Hampshire<\/a> is different than a lot of states for a lot of reasons. The fact that shes even going to New Hampshire<\/a> and making the case that shes going to be in New Hampshire<\/a> is noteworthy. You think, maybe not. Of course shes running for president. Why wouldnt she go to New Hampshire<\/a> . There are a lot of neighboring politicians, neighboring candidates who are running. Elizabeth warren, massachusetts, neighbor. Bernie sanders, vermont, neighbor. Others who have been there who are better known in New Hampshire<\/a>. This is Kamala Harris<\/a>s first trip to New Hampshire<\/a>. When you think about it those of us who covered president ial politics, when the person is born or able to walk and thinks about running for president they make a trip to New Hampshire<\/a>. The fact that this is her first is interesting. It allows them to see a fresh face, but things dont change much in New Hampshire<\/a>. If she wants to make a play in New Hampshire<\/a> theyll expect her to be in their living rooms day in, day out. Thats how you win New Hampshire<\/a>. I dont care what year it is. Jeff zeleny, you wrote a great piece about amy klobuchar, another entrant to the race who is trying to stake out a more centrist position and her willingness to say no to democratic voters. There was a towcnn town hall la night. Have a listen. No medicare for all . It could be a possibility in the future. Im looking at something that will work now. Yes or no, do you support free college for all . No. Im not for free college for all. They are aspirations. We can get close. I dont think well get rid of industries in the u. S. That, jeff zeleny, is an intentional message. No doubt about it. I was struck sitting in the audience. She was saying no a lot and not pandering at all. One thing we see from so many president ial candidates in New Hampshire<\/a>, other places, they come and essentially say what the voters want to hear. Senator klobuchar wasnt doing that. Aspirationally she said she supports these things, but the fact is the government cannot support free college for all. In her view, medicare for all will not work. She was talking about a pragmatic approach. Is there a market for that type of realism . Is there a market for the political reality here that these things are difficult . Shell try it out. Its the same thing shes been talking to voters about. She was in iowa over the weekend, wisconsin as well and then here in New Hampshire<\/a>. She sounded like a senator. In many president ial campaigns gone by thats too wonky and doesnt sound good to voters. It might be more appealing in this sense where facts are at a premium. She was bringing her knowledge and experience here. If that Still Matters<\/a> anymore, she certainly has a good argument to make on some of these things. But with Bernie Sanders<\/a> jumping in, all of the other the energy is on the lefthand side of the party. Will she be able to find a lane more in the middle . Well see. She certainly is leaning in to that despite how much the winds are blowing from the left. Oh, those iowa and New Hampshire<\/a> voters will be busy. We have a year to go. Dana bash, jeff zeleny, thank you very much. Former acting fbi director dra Andrew Mccabe<\/a> said he had reason to suspect President Trump<\/a> was a National Security<\/a> threat and thats why the fbi opened an investigation. An investigation he says that top leaders in congress didnt object to when they were informed. Plus, 16 states are suing to block the president s National Emergency<\/a> declaration. How will this play out in court . Its going to be a long battle. Back on the bench, Justice Ruth Bader<\/a> ginsburg has returned to the Supreme Court<\/a> for the first time after her surgery. Well be there live. Stay with us. If you have moderate to severe psoriasis, Little Things<\/a> can be a big deal. Thats why theres otezla. Otezla is not a cream. Its a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. With otezla, 75 clearer skin is achievable. Dont use if youre allergic to otezla. It may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Otezla is associated with an increased risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. Tell your doctor about your medicines, and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ready to treat differently with a pill . Otezla. Show more of you. Ready to treat differently with a pill . No one will love you. Like i do no one will hold you. Like i do dare to be devoted. Jared\u00ae. Dare to stop searching, with jareds unparalleled selection of diamonds. And price match guarantee. Dare to be devoted. Only at jared\u00ae. At to cover the essentialsyou have in retirement, as well as all the things you want to do. Because when youre ready for what comes next, the only direction is forward. Discover. O i like your card, but im absolutely not paying an annual fee. Discover has no annual fees. Really . Yeah. We just dont believe in them. Oh nice. You would not believe how long ive been rehearsing that. No annual fee on any card. Only from discover. Dad hiding when i was supposed to be quitting. I thought, i should try something that works. I should try nicorette. Nicorette mini relieves sudden cravings fast. Anytime. Anywhere. Nicorette mini. You know why. We know how. Did you order a counterintelligence investigation into the president . I did. Is that tantamount to saying you felt there was reason to suspect that he was a National Security<\/a> threat . Is that what it means . It is saying that we had information that led us to believe that there might be a threat to National Security<\/a>. In this case, that the president himself might, in fact, be a threat to the United States<\/a> National Security<\/a>. Those are remarkable words. We have heard a lot of comments about the investigation through the years. Thats a former acting director of the fbi saying the fbi had evidence to suggest they made no conclusions, but to suggest the president himself was a threat to National Security<\/a>. A short time ago mccabe also released an interview with the atlantic where he says the fact is we were building to this point for months before jim was fired of course jim comey we had several cases under the umbrella investigation of the russia case. The suspicion built over months. Remarkable things to hear. Cnn justice correspondent evan perez is with me now. Not only did mccabe confirm the fbi was concerned the president was a threat but they kept congress informed, the gang of 8. How did they react . Thats right. I think what mccabe is trying to do here is push back prerhaps o criticism that starting this represented a coup of some sort against the elected president of the United States<\/a>. Take a listen to what else he had to say. This was a recommendation that came from my team. I reviewed it with our lawyers and discussed it at length did you Tell Congress<\/a> . I told congress what we had done. Did anybody object . Thats the important part here. Nobody objected. Not on legal grounds, constitutional grounds and not based on the facts. There you have his reaction there. He says the reaction from congress essentially was to proceed with the investigation. Hes doing a little bit of cleanup if you see the atlantic interview. People thought interpreted his previous comments to be this investigation was predicated because the president fired james comey. Hes saying it was more than that. There was evidence being gathered prior to it. Listen, its interesting there. Of course you are hearing from a lot of republicans, the president supporters says this was a coup. The gang of 8 included republicans. They had an opportunity to say this aint going to happen and they didnt do it. You have had a difference in Public Comments<\/a> between mccabe and the soon to be former Deputy Attorney<\/a> general Rod Rosenstein<\/a>. Tell us what we have learned from mccabes comments lately as to what those actual differences were. Well, i think certainly Rod Rosenstein<\/a> doesnt view some of the comments about the 25th amendment, some of those comments about wearing a wire, he doesnt believe those were actually comments that were serious. You notice that the department of justice put out statements denying generally what mccabe is saying, but they are not attacking the central premise which is that Rod Rosenstein<\/a> may have made the comments. Now we know Rod Rosenstein<\/a> is telling people he plans to leave mid march. That tells us a little bit about what we are seeing is perhaps the end of the mueller investigation. We know one of the things Rod Rosenstein<\/a> wanted to do was to stay in place until he knew the investigation was either done or almost done to protect the investigation. So the end because it is coming to an end not because hell walk the plank. No, no. We anticipated it was something he was planning to do already. These comments from mccabe arent exactly a surprise. Okay. Evan perez, thank you very much. Lets speak more about this Andrew Mccabe<\/a> speaks to Anderson Cooper<\/a> tonight on cnn at 8 00 eastern time. Here with me now, sean turner, former director of communications for the National Intelligence<\/a>. And jeffrey toobin. Sean, if i could start with you, given your years of experience in the u. S. Intelligence community. When you have a former acting director of the fbi say the fbi had evidence to justify at least a question as to whether the president of the United States<\/a> himself was a threat to National Security<\/a>, whats your reaction and how significant is it . I have a couple of different reactions. Theres been a lot of discussion about all of the talk regarding wearing a wire and what Rod Rosenstein<\/a> did leading up to the opening of the investigation. I think if you could put the discussion aside and just look at the facts, just look at all of the evidence that was out there that suggested that the president , that people around the president , that others who were in the president s atmosphere were having something going on behindthescenes, something happening with regard to russia. If you just look at that, then the fbi would have been derelict in its duties if it had not opened a counterintelligence investigation to simply ask the question whats going on here . From my perspective looking at it through a National Security<\/a> lens they did what they should have done with regard to asking if there was something there. While i have concerns about the discussion over wearing a wire and things along those lines, what mccabe did in terms of going to the general counsel, talking to the gang of 8 and talking to his brain trust was the right thing to do in order to get to the bottom of it. He was following protocol. Absolutely. Jeffrey toobin, lets look at it from a legal perspective here. Youre fbi and you already have opened an investigation into russian interference and then you have a president who made Public Comments<\/a>, one seeming to support the views of the russian president. Hes also made decisions as president , as head of state to give the impression hes trying to interfere in the investigation. From a legal perspective, is that seen in the courts in any investigation as evidence that someone might be compromised in some way. You have to remember the fbi has dual responsibilities. It handles counterintelligence which is not a criminal process, which is simply a National Security<\/a> process of finding out who is trying to interfere with the operations of the American Government<\/a> on behalf of foreign powers. Then there is also the traditional fbi Law Enforcement<\/a> obligation. Both of those are implicated by what mccabe and his colleagues saw in may of 2017. They saw that it looks like russia is trying and perhaps succeeding in manipulating the white house. Thats worthy of a National Intelligence<\/a> investigation counterintelligence. He also saw firing james comey who was running a criminal investigation of the president himself and people around him, thats potentially a criminal obstruction of justice. It seems to me mccabe was entirely justified in opening both sides of the investigation and rather than treasonous as the president described him in a tweet yesterday, this was a patriotic act on the part of Andrew Mccabe<\/a>. Legally. This word coup or attempted coup, attempted democratic coup being thrown around from the president and his supporters. From a legal perspective, anything you have seen now, does it substantiate the allegation or from a legal perspective were these folks trying to do their jobs in the midst of a counterintelligence investigation . Quite the opposite of a coup. At every step, at least as far as we know, mccabe tried to do things by the book, as we just discussed. He consulted the general counsel. He consulted colleagues. He consulted the Deputy Attorney<\/a> general. When they decided to proceed they went to the gang of 8 of congress. This is how the fbi is supposed to function. Its also important to point out they didnt bring a criminal case against the president. They didnt try to have him removed from office under the 25th amendment. So all they did was conduct a good faith investigation which did not lead to anything that would suggest a coup. So i think it is a completely frivolous accusation. Sean turner, ceo of news max, a rightleaning news operation, is speculating that the president might fire the director of National Intelligence<\/a>, dan coats, on the kar argument that dan coats disagreed with the president publicly. To be clear coats was expressing the view of the u. S. Intelligence community. If the president were to dism s mu mishim would it be seen as personal about coats . Its their findings here. There is no doubt thats a larger broad side attack on the Intelligence Community<\/a>. Unfortunately its not the first one. Look, it is the case that it is not unusual for president s to challenge the Intelligence Community<\/a> on assessments. There have been times the president said to the Intelligence Community<\/a> and Senior Intelligence<\/a> officials, go back, make sure you understand, ask hard questions. What makes this different is that the president isnt just pushing back on the Intelligence Community<\/a>. The president actually said according to mccabe he believed putin over his Intelligence Community<\/a>. Thats a completely different scenario. I think if coats goes and to be candid with you, i think that would be a mistake on the part of the president. The president needs people around him who will speak truth to power. If coats goes, that sends another Chilling Effect<\/a> through the Intelligence Community<\/a>. Its difficult. Sean turner, jeffrey toobin, thank you very much. 16 u. S. States now suing to stop President Trump<\/a> from using his Emergency Powers<\/a> to build a wall on the border. They argue the president is breaking the law. Is he . Well discuss it next. 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And its simple, easy, awesome. Right now 16 states are suing the Trump Administration<\/a> over the president s decision to declare a National Emergency<\/a> to fund his desired border wall. The states argue the president doesnt have the authority to reallocate congressionally approved funds. Here is connecticuts attorney general. The president is breaking the law. Hes shredding the constitution. Hes declared a National Emergency<\/a> where there is none. Its pretty clear that hes perverting the National Emergencies<\/a> act to do something that congress explicitly for bid him from doing which is building a wall. Well speak to the Colorado Attorney<\/a> general joining the suit in the next hour. Jeffrey toobin is with us and susan page. Jeffrey, i want to begin on the legal issue here. Californias attorney general says, quote, probably the best evidence is the president s own words. Remember in that ceremony on friday the president said, oh, well, i didnt have to do it, i just wanted to do it faster. He waited weeks and months to do this through the government shutdown. From a legal perspective, the Public Comments<\/a> and his actions, does it undermine his case legally for an Emergency Declaration<\/a> . It hurts the case, but i wouldnt say it is a fatal blow. If you look at the National Emergencies<\/a> that have been declared, several of them dont have a lot of urgency about them. There is a National Emergency<\/a> about prohibiting importing diamonds from sierra leone which is not something most people think of as an emergency. The real issue i think here is that congress explicitly did not authorize the expenditure of this money. The president is trying to go around it with the National Emergencies<\/a> act. Thats never been done before. Thats the key thing. This goes back to the truman case nationalizing industries during the korean war. Its when congress if congress has been silent on it, its one thing. If congress has been somewhat supporti supportive its another. Congress had chances to allocate funding for the wall and didnt do so. To be clear you are saying that may matter to a court. Thats right. The steel seizure case from 1952 which you are referring to speaks of those three categories. What the president has going for him though is that there is this law, the National Emergencies<\/a> act, which does give him power to declare an emergency. That wasnt true in 1952. Its never been defined just how emergency what an emergency is and thats what this case is really going to be about. Okay. I would be remiss in not noting the politics here. Politics are certainly part of this. We know the president s own pollsters believe that this regardless of the national polling, that this works for him in swing districts. I will note that a majority of republicans, 64 , they say want the wall. We have said many times the president acts to keep that base together. Does it matter to President Trump<\/a> if this drags out and he doesnt get what he wants . In effect, can he still use it as a sledgehammer, as you lead up to 2020. You heard in the News Conference<\/a> last week he went through a singsong how a bill becomes a law recitation that ends up with him winning in the Supreme Court<\/a>. When he finds the National Community<\/a> talking about his wall, he counts it as a win. Thats an issue thats fundamental to his appeal from the beginning of the campaign to today. He hammered this home in the midterms. The analysis from republicans post midterms is this lost him a lot of swing districts at least in the house. There is a marist poll out that shows 60 of americans think this is a bad idea declaring the National Emergency<\/a>. Among republicans, almost all republicans say, yes, we support the idea of declaring a National Emergency<\/a> here. On this, as on many things President Trump<\/a> does, it reinforces the base. It does virtually nothing to reach out to people who dont already support him. Jeffrey toobin, you have 16 states. They go to the 9th circuit where theres been friendlier atmosphere for these challenges. If you look back to the muslim ban, your best guess as to how this is wrapped up in court and is it likely a stay will be imposed . In other words, no action can proceed while the cases are being decided. Thats really the big question. Whether a District Court<\/a> judge will issue an injunction and say, no expenditures of funds while this case is being adjudicated. That could happen in a matter of weeks. Remember, there is also going to be more than one lawsuit here where its more than one judge may actually have the opportunity to issue that injunction. There is the case in california which is the 16 states, but also in washington, d. C. There is another similar case being filed. I expect there will be more. Each one of the judges will have the opportunity to issue an injunction. Then those cases will be appealed to the circuit courts of appeals and probably the Supreme Court<\/a>. So it is likely that there will be some judicial action on this issue in one court or another within a couple of weeks. This could go quickly. Jeffrey toobin, susan page, thank you very much. Well follow the story however quickly it goes. Its been more than a hundred days since the election and still there is no winner in one North Carolina<\/a> congressional race. Now the board looking to allegations of ballot fraud said it wont talk to the man at the center of it all. Stay with us. Hi im joan lunden. Todays Senior Living<\/a> communities have never been better, with amazing amenities like movie theaters, exercise rooms and swimming pools, public cafes, bars and bistros even pet care services. And theres never been an easier way to get great advice. 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If you hold it closer, it looks bigger. Eat your food my big sis likes to make tiny food. And im okay with that. Navy federal credit union. Our members, are the mission. This is an important update on a story of Election Fraud<\/a> alleged Election Fraud<\/a> in a u. S. Congressional race in North Carolina<\/a>. The North Carolina<\/a> board of elections said it will not force a man accused of tampering with absentee ballots to testify in a hearing about the alleged fraud in the congressional 9th district race. This comes after the former stepdaughter of gop operative Leslie Mccrae<\/a> testified yesterday. She said dallas paid her to collect and falsify absentee ballots last year. This is the only race from the 2018 midterms still undecided. The question is whether the absentee ballots helped turn the race in the favor of the republican candidate in that race. Cnn correspondent Diane Gallagher<\/a> has been following the developments in raleigh. This is remarkable. As the evidence mounts here, it appears something extremely fishy happened. What are the next steps . Reporter jim, that might be an understatement. The executive director of the state board of elections actually opened up by calling it a coordinated unlawful and substantially resourced absentee ballot scheme. The woman you were referring to, lisa brit, the worker, thats what she detailed here. She talked about being paid about 150 for every 50 absentee ballots she collected. That in itself is illegal in North Carolina<\/a>. She went on to go through exactly how her former stepfather, mccrae dallas, coached them through it. She talked about signing onto absentee ballots she didnt witness. Forging her mothers signature as a witness on absentee ballots, filling in blank races left on unsealed ballots and said dallas told the workers, nobody has anything on you. Just act like you dont know whats going on. She said he also told her to go ahead and plead the 5th yesterday. Thats not what she did. Dallas opted not to testify. Today, we are not sure what to expect. We were not expecting the bombshell testimony yesterday. That isnt what we have been getting leading up to this. Brick herself had conflicting information before the hearing. On the stand they are talking to a poll worker. Things just got going on day two here about ten minutes ago in raleigh. We dont have a list of witnesses. In total there are about 80 of them. We are unsure how many well get to. I did speak to the candidate mark harris people today. They said hes prepared to be called. They dont know. But if hes called today he plans to go ahead and testify. We also may hear from people who work at the Consulting Firm<\/a> that employed dallas. Really, jim, the question is whether the board will vote to have a new election or go ahead and certify harris as the winner. You are right to highlight that. Coordinated unlawful and substantially resourced absentee ballot scheme. Thats a remarkable thing for the investigation to find. Diane gallagher, we know youll stay on the story. In other news Nicholas Maduro<\/a> essentially telling President Trump<\/a> to mind his own business and accusing trump of making up a crisis abroad as a distraction. I just got my cashback match, is this for real . Yep. We match all the cash back new cardmembers earn at the end of their first year, automatically. Whoo i got my money hard to contain yourself, isnt it . Uh huh let it go whoo get a dollarfordollar match at the end of your first year. Only from discover. No one will love you. Like i do no one will hold you. Like i do dare to be devoted. Jared\u00ae. Dare to stop searching, with jareds unparalleled selection of diamonds. And price match guarantee. Dare to be devoted. Only at jared\u00ae. Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro<\/a> is firing back at President Trump<\/a> this morning accusing the president of manufacturing a humanitarian crisis in venezuela to distract from issues here in the u. S. However, video like this shows that the crisis on the ground there is very real. Desperate venezuelans, many of them young children, forced to find muchneeded medical treatment in hospitals in neighboring colombia. Nick paton walsh joins us live on the border. Whats been the response to this latest exchange between maduro and trump . Im curious if the people that you are seeing there who are suffering the real effects of this, are they welcoming President Trump<\/a>s entrance into this . Reporter any change frankly for these people here, you are seeing the massive traffic of thousands heading in to get daily food stops, any change is utterly vital. What Donald Trumps<\/a> speech has done to a large number of venezuelan expats, his speech was about appealing to the Venezuelan Military<\/a> who guard the border to basically change sides. We are walking up slowly towards a key deadline this weekend when the administration said they will get humanitarian aid into the country. Tons are being flown in by charities. We are hearing that many venezuelans on the other side are getting together potentially to try and get it, as well. There are dueling rock concerts to kind of escalate that sense of a Critical Mass<\/a> here. Donald trumps appeal to the military is being echoed by the interim president juan guaido calling out by name the man who runs the Border Guards<\/a> here and the National Guard<\/a> on the other side of the border here specifically calling on them to choose the people this coming weekend for that deadline. Donald trumps rhetoric muddied the urgent appeal for humanitarian aid. They are talking about the need to defeat socialism in the region and the potential for freedom in human history. The real urgency and the potential for violence is unfortunately this weekend. That deadline, everybody here wants aid. The opposition guaranteeing it will get across. Will the military let it and could there be confrontation . It is a remarkable thing. Nick paton walsh is right there. Thanks very much. She see back, Supreme Court<\/a> Justice Ruth Bader<\/a> ginsberg returning to the bench for the First Time Since<\/a> her cancer surmg surgery. Advice for what you need today and tomorrow. Because when youre with fidelity, theres nothing to stop you from moving forward. [indistinct conversation] [friend] ive never seen that before. I have. All of you. How you live, what you love. Thats what inspired us to create americas most advanced internet. Internet that puts you in charge. That protects whats important. It handles everything, and reaches everywhere. This is beyond wifi, this is xfi. Simple. Easy. Awesome. Xfinity, the future of awesome. Right now in washington, Supreme Court<\/a> Justice Ruth Bader<\/a> ginsberg is back on the bench. Her return coming as justices issue important orders this morning. This marks the first time we have seen her on the bench since she had cancer surgery this past december. So have we heard from Justice Ginsburg<\/a> since her return to the bench. Reporter we should hear from her any moment because arguments begin at 10 00 this morning. She actually missed oral arguments for the first time in her career here at the Supreme Court<\/a> for the course of about two weeks in december and january and a bit of february. That is because of her cancer surgery that she under went on december 21. Justice ginsberg was back here at the Supreme Court<\/a> on friday for the regular closed door conference with all of the justices when they determine which cases they will take up. This will be the first time Justice Ginsberg<\/a> is hearing the oral arguments since december 6. We know while she has been out, she has been keeping up with the cases. She has been reading the transcripts from arguments she missed. We know that she is typically very vocal up on the bench here. Well get to see just how vocal she is on her first return to the bench since early december. This is a busy docket for this Supreme Court<\/a>. Which important case did the court decide to take up or decline today . Reporter several orders coming out today about cases that they will and wont take. Most notable perhaps relates to the Robert Mueller<\/a> grand jury proceedings. The Supreme Court<\/a> today granting a motion from the government that means we could get more of a glimpse into this mystery grand jir subpoena. Its of this unnamed foreign owned corporation that has been fighting this grand jury subpoena. The Supreme Court<\/a> telling the government today you can redact some of the sealed documents and perhaps that will get out to the public and well get a bit more information in this case that has been shrouded in mystery. Big question is what that foreign country is. This news today. The iconic Fashion Designer<\/a> has died. The german designer was at the forefront of fashion as the creative director for Luxury Brands<\/a> such as chanel and fendi. There he is there. Questions about his health began after he missed a fashion show early last month. Karl lagerfeld was 85 years old. Top of the hour this tuesday morning. Im jim sciutto in washington. This morning an already crowded field of democratic president ial hopefuls is bigger by one, Bernie Sanders<\/a> second place finisher in the 2016 democratic race says that in 2019 his socalled radical progressive ideas are now in the mainstream in the party. 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