mosul airport. we begin with executive reporting about white house request to fbi to knock down immedia media trump officials had contact with russian intelligence. here is jim with the details. >> reporter: reason cnn learned that the white house rejected reports to about communications during the 2016 presidential campaign between donald trump's associates whether -- and russian intelligence. they sought the help of of the bureau to say the that reports were wrong and there had been no contacts the officials said. you may recall that cnn reported on this just over a week ago and so far the white house is not commented on the record -- i should say the fbi is still investigating the alleged communication. several members of the house tell cnn that congress is still investigating them as well. that investigation has begun. they have started to direct documents et cetera. they will call witnesses of communication between white house is fbi is unusual because the decade old restrictions on contacts. limits communication with fbi on pending investigation. trump administration's effort run contrary to proceed memos issued in 2007 and 2009. limited investigation between fbi and white house. they rejected the request because the alleged communication ares subject of an ongoing investigation. jim sciutto, cnn washington. >> you're looking at your map. the cnn tells president assigned department to help build case tor for l travel ban. but some are taking issues with the assignment in order to fit a policy rather than shaping policy to fit the intelligence. officials say say it's not best indicator for terrorist activity. >> president trump will speak at annual gathering at cpac on friday. at the last cpac they were trying to derail his campaign. no hard feelings because mr. trump vanished in it's wake of his upset. he said this new administration is determined to seize an historic moment. >> my friends, this is hard times. [ applause ] >> this is the chance we have worked so hard for so long to see. this is the time to prove again that our answers are the right answers for america. >> joining me now is california talk radiohost and john thomas. we heard from mike pence. the star was steve bannon. some say the real president in the white house. he opened up about the scenes going on in the white house. listen to steve bannon. >> if you look at the opposition party and how they portray the campaign how they portrayed the transition now portraying the administration it's always wrong. only the first day that kellyanne and i started, we reached out to sean spicer and katy. the same thaem that did the transition. if you remember the campaign was the most chaotic by the media's description, most unprofessional had no idea what they were doing and you saw them crying and weeping on the 8th. >> the white house strategist steve bannon. this was not just average run the mill anger prioriti, this i to tear out your gut kind of -- where is this coming from. >> there's no secret steve bannon doesn't like the media. >> right. >> it's because republicans see consistently that editorial board across the country tend to be screwed against republicans. if you look at trump administration what they went through in the primary when they said they never had a chance and their polling, the polling said they didn't have a chance. they are tired of it. >> not everyone is the chief strategist in the white house and he has to work with him, doesn't he? >> no. we are starting to see this. the biggest issue i see is the tone this sets and it's a dangerous one used by auto cats by -- that's the tool used. you start by making everybody question the media so those who hold them accountable are suspects. then you make dangerous to our country. you heard bannon say he want to doe destroy it. >> yes. >> let's listen to both of them. >> he laid out an agenda with those speeches with the promises he made. our job is to execute on that. he focused on that. >> he went on to talk about a new world order. this is something we never heard in the white house before. >> he is a nationalist. he focused on agenda. one thing he recognizes is that president trump did not get elected because of his favorability number, he got elected because of agenda. and he needs to stay focused no matter what. >> maybe he should go to some town halls we have seen. people don't want that agenda. >> he would never do that. that would put him in cross hairs to be challenged. the keyword is maniacal. we are seeing falsehoods on a tailly basis. he tweets it and we're able to fact check. he says military operation in relations to immigration. the president used those words. i cannot believe it's happening but it is. >> i guess, there's an obligation by the president to implement his promises on the campaign. how does that square with what steve bannon is saying? >> in relation to agenda? >> not everyone has -- >> you have to look at it the country is divided 50/50. trump has to focus on the people who voted for him. those are the people he needs again in michigan and pennsylvania if he want to stay in office. >> 50% of the american people don't support prum president trump. this is -- he doesn't have the support. he had a minority of the popular vote -- >> like president trump and liking agenda is two different things. >> i'm telling you as we're see you now that people he done the best job of selling the affordable care act which i'm not a fan of it. suddenly people are saying i need it. it's better defense than president obama. >> the approval of the aca is surprising. >> a couple of hours donald trump did interview with news agencies throwing out there it would be a good idea for nuclear arms race. >> it would be green no one have one. if countries are going to have nukes we're going to be at the top of the pack. >> again, this seems so cavalier about something that's serious issue. >> the presidential takes serious. he says we need to rebuild our military. you're going to be the best. i think it's consistent with who he is. >> three years ago if you were having a discussion of nuclear arms someone said i'll bring in donald trump to get his take on what he think, would people take him seriously. >> no. a better choice would be kim jong-un from north korea. this is borderline insane when we talk about spending money having nuclear arms race. i have heard in the past republicans trying to defend him, those are not the words he using. words have meanings. >> we had that again today the secretary of homeland security was in mexico talking about the fact there's no deportation and clarifying things coming from the white house. listen to this. >> no, repeat, no use of milita military forgs in immigration operation there's no use of military force in immigration. at least half get that right because it continuely comes up in the reporting. >> one more sound byte because of this. >> we're getting bad dudes out of the country and at a rate that nobody's ever seen before and they are the bad ones. and can it's a military operation because what has been allowed to come into our country when you see gang violence that you read before is because people are here illegally. they are rough and can tough but not like our people. >> the president says reporter, we get accused by the public of -- >> part of president trump charm is he plain spoken in terms of his intention. does it require intention it was made clear military operations is not on the table. >> when the president used that term? >> we have the passcy act. 1890 is when it's from. on the other hand i would say hiring ten thousand new i.c.e. agents will look like military force on top of it we find out there's reports of dhs lying to local police about what they were doing. i'm for getting gang members, critical out of the country, deporting, but now they are lying and rounding up people. >> we have never had that policy where we start knocking on everybody's door, that's deportation force. >> thank you. john, next on cnn newsroom, chilling new details how half brother was murdered. we'll bring you that story live. next. with e*trade you see things your way. you have access to the right information at the right moment. and when you filter out the noise, it's easy to turn your vision into action. it's your trade. e*trade. ♪ ♪ ♪ only at&t offers you all your live channels and dvr on your devices. data-free. entertainment. your way. only from at&t. tbut what if it didn'tm. have to be? at blue apron, we're building a better food system. where we value quality and flavor over quantity and shelf-life. where chefs and farmers work together to make farms healthier, grow higher quality ingredients, and deliver them in-season, ripe and ready to cook. because food is better when you start from scratch. blue apron. welcome back. we have news develop out of the malaysia. kim jong-nam was poisoned. at least two women are in custody and authorities asked interpoll. what more authorities telling you regarding this highly toxic nerve agent? >> yes, this is first time they identify what they believe killed kim jong-nam, calling it a nerve agent. it's a lethal weapon, something used in the 1950s in maul amount it could be lethal. you can see onset within minutes or up to 18 hours after exposure. it shuts down breathing. paralyzes your breathing. we know he reported feeling dizziy. police here in malaysia say the women were trained to apply poison in his face. that's what you're seeing in the video whether you see a woman approach from the front and the back. >> we have two women, held in custody. what are other men. there are other people involved here? >> yes, this continues to widen and expand. at this point they have two women in custody. and can another man. he was arrested in malaysia. they are looking for three more who they believe in the country. they asked north korea for help in finding the people. they believe may have provided that chemical weapon. it's believed those four suspects have returned to pyongyang at this point. they say only a small amount is needed it. it could have been difficult to dete detect while being transported. >> do we know what happened to the body waiting for next of win to arrive? >> yes. it's at center of what is increase diplomatic fight between malaysian officials and north korea. they said they keep body until family members arrive and provide dna samples. the malaysia are acting in relos angeles in diplomat norms. malaysia not given it up. >> thank you. another day of mixed signals from the trump administration. this time from mexico. rex tillerson met on thursday. kelly praised trade relations calling it dynamic. they said there's no pass deportation. earlier the white house, president trump called trade deficit between the united states and mexico unsustainable. said the deportation of undocumented immigrants will be military operation. >> joined by foreign minister, he joins me from mexico city. thank you for joining us. we heard the u.s. homeland security secretary john kelly said there will not be massive deportation instead they will focusing on the criminal element. how do you view the discusses? >> i will leave it when secretary kelly changes the drafting of the guidelines he made public two days ago with a serious of measures that implied mass deportations. if he changes those guidelines i'll believe him. until he does that, i will believe not a word ask nobody should because what he says in mexico is irrelevant as long as the guidelines published continue to say they will hire 15,000 more cbp agents as long as those guidelines say they will deport anybody all over the u.s. territory not just within a hundred miles of a border not only in the u.s. for 14 days or two years. and also those who can be suspected of having committed a chargeable act whatever that means. so i don't care what kelly says. i'm interesting in what the exsective decrease say. >> what we heard was president trump talk of military operation of bad dude. how does mexico make of the mixed message and consistents of this administration in. >> in this case they are not mixed. decrees are decrees. they are written texts. these are not statements. these are guidelines issued by secretary kelly to the i.c.e. ask cbt agents in the field. the guidelines say that the u.s. will try to send none mexican nationals back to mexico to await asylum hearings. secretary kelly says, no we're not going to to that. changes the guidelines. i think this is hypocrisy of this administration. we need to listen to the right one. >> give me the view of mexico you are talking about sundendin thousands back in mexico. if this happens, how can mexico handle this? >> i think that on this account, i agree completely with president pena nieto who said under no circumstance will mexico admit any deport tee, none who is not a next can national. if they are hundred duran or equal mally, united states has to send them back. that's the u.s. problem. and i think on this all mexicans agrees, there's no way we are going to admit anybody back to mexico who is not mexican. >> quickly, what leverage does mexico have on this front? >> it has enormous leverage which is open southern border of hundreds of thousand of hundred durans and gaud mallian people. and being ap helped and i think we should use it. >> thank you, very much. great to talk you to, sir. >> thank you, esa. coming up 11:27. w we come back -- now president trump has done the opposite. knowing where you stand. it's never been easier. except when it comes to your retirement plan. but at fidelity, we're making retirement planning clearer. and it all starts with getting your fidelity retirement score. in 60 seconds, you'll know where you stand. and together, we'll help you make decisions for your plan... to keep you on track. ♪ time to think of your future it's your retirement. know where you stand. ♪ time to think of your future ♪ ♪ i'm back! get to the chopper! ♪ hasta la vista, baby. mobile strike! download and play now. free, from the app store. welcome back. to our viewers. 11:30 on thursday night. i'm john. >> and i'm isa soares. senator is accused aiding illegal drug trade in the system. she denies the charges. they called social yoe pathic. >> she was heckle by a topples protesters. she had slogans written on her body. la pin continued to speak. which she described as bureaucracy monster. >> sean spicer said police are expected to enforce -- even if states where it's legal. >> high profile conferences known as cpac these are happy days. >> president trump rescinded guidelines on transgender. >> the clapping and the cheering of white house appeal by allows them tho use bathroom that correspondent with their identity. warning of the impact this could have on kids already marginalized and misunderstood. transgender students increase risk for bullying, violence, self-harm, policy excludeing faciliti faciliti facilities consistent identity. we strongly believe that transgender students should be treated as equal. ♪ >> the 16-year-old girl who sang the national anthem at trump's inauguration asked the president to rethink his decision. she knows a lot about this she transgender woman. >> what i want to say to donald trump is can we sit down ask talk. how can we make transgenders safe. we want to calmly sit down with imhad. >> there's a way to create federal law or something, something that's going to happy with transgender discrimination. >> welcome. can you can explain how much of this big deal this bathroom issue is. there's locker room, clothing, even if kids can attend the program. >> we're talking about basic protection of the group in our community. they are at 43% risk of suicide and death. we have opened up discrimination up in the schools. when the president promised to protect transgender community. he now going against the fundamentals of what he was elected on. this is what's dangerous. what's next? our transgender kplun community is at risk. >> what would be impact right now of the decision by the president trump administration. >> i can el it you what the kids are thinking. i can tell you what the parent are thinking. they are hurt. i spent most of my day having to hold it because they are in fear to use the restroom, from preschool to high school. parents and children are in fear to move outside of their protected classrooms with their teachers they trust because they are afraid of getting bullied. they are afraid of going home. her daughter won't talk to her. another bullying accident she is not sure how to respond. all she can do is hug her daughter and tell her it will be okay. >> she fell in line with the white house. she explained where the administration had taken this action. listen to this. >> this issue was a very huge example of the obama administration over reach to suggest a one-size-fits-all to issues best dealt with and solve at local level. and i have made clear from the moment i have been in this job that it's our job to protect students and to do that to the fullest extend we can. >> it's a states right issue. states like alabama or mississippi they can take vulnerable kids in the school, right? >> no. they are not going to hear the cases. the kids are marginalize in l school. you think a family struggling with trying to get their son or daughter integrated into society can afford to fight some sort of high-level case that goes to the supreme court. that's not going to happen. this protection that was moved it broke down the fundamentals of the united states which is to p protect the least of these. >> you touched on this, donald trump was asked about this issue. i want to go back to what he said. listen to this. >> caitlyn jenner were to walk into trump tower you would be fine with her using any booth room she chooses? >> that is correct. >> can you explain candidate can say one thing but president trump does complete opposite. >> it's a lie. this is a multitude of lies. this is a boldface lie. he ran on this premise. people that are transgender, kale li caitlyn jenner. now he turned his back to say we're not going to like look out for the children of the class any more. this is just a beginning. there is not a legislative order, there is just a guidance of what could be a lot of lawsuits coming to the supreme court. >> it's a difficult time for families dealing with this. thank you for being us. >> thank you for having me. >> retaking destroyed airport could be crucial in trying to -- we'll bring that story after the short break. on intel? that means you can take a universe of data - in your case literally - and turn it into medical discoveries, diagnostic breakthroughs... ...proof that black holes collapse into one singularity. i don't know what that is. but yes. innovation runs on supercomputers... ...and supercomputers run on intel. you are super smart. and super busy. ♪ ooh! ufo! false alarm, eyelash! hello. welcome back. retake the city from isis. iraqi troops make their way to the western part. following this story, live from istanbul. what advantage for iraqi forces of having total control of the airport? >> there's a big portion of the western side of the tie gres river but it's their first stronghold which they are string board to take other parts of the city as well. infrastructure it's rendered unuseable. after three years under isis control. they are hoping to secure nearby villages as they push north ward into densely part of the city. securing the key part of mosul is key. as you pointed out that would be fierces battle from sometime from here, john. >> as far as retaking the western half of the city of mosul, do we know how much progress the iraqi forces have made so far? >> so far, if you look at geography, they managed to kp capture that. they are trying to get key like the power plant as well as former military base. at present we're not entirely sure whether they manage and secure that. this have former isis head quarters. securing this territory before going forward will be crucial. the key assets before moving north towards more densely part of the town. for the architecture the terrain is difficult. >> how many civilian remain trapped. what happens to them as iraqi forces move in? >> 650,000 vicivilians are trapped. the cities are narrow, the buildings are older, that's where biggest risk of civilian casualty. it's going to be difficult for the iraqi forces to distinguish friend and foe. they not going to send in military vehicles because the streets are too fair narrow. people are expecting it to take some time. >> thank you. member of the ukraine policy said it presented plan to trump's new lawyer. that's something the lawyer and the white house denies. the ukraine is speaking. he spoke on nick pate ton walsh. >> >> reporter: it began with the story of how one ukrainian pm dined with donald trump's personal lawyer. found his left field ideas passed on and was then caught in a diplomatic storm. now investigated for treason in his own home land. >> michael flynn best person trump administration if he likes is going to huge support. >> reporter: he gave us a interview and tells us of a january dinner in manhattan he had with michael cohen arranged by phillip. >> we spoke for 25 minutes where i presented my peace plan how to stop the war, how to finish this. he says listen, this is gentleman is potential he wants to send your message to trump administration. >> reporter: mr. cohen says the dinner happened. but he says cohen insisted that be given to national security adviser michael flynn who resigned 24 days into job because to kplent comments on sanctions on russian. >> did you mention that end up on michael flynn's desk? >> no. he mentioned his name first in my meetings, he said listen, michael flynn most powerful man who can help you who can provide information to president trump. >> reporter: the white house denies c denies contact with them on this issue. in 2014 then sent military help to the separatist to the east where the war drags on. he hints his plan involved russian. he told cnn of text message that continued fake news wasn't so ridiculous i would be anger. i acknowledge a brief meeting took place but deny delivering documents to white house or general flynn. something i stated to the new york. according to the times, he left envelope on his desk. the white house says it has no record of receiving such a document. mr. flynn did not respond to request for comment. both have rejected the plan. he has been expelled from has to hurry off to meet president, although he denies it. he promises to return. moment after he leaves, ukrainian announce he is being investigated for treason for suggesting the plan. >> nick, what have you been hearing? >> we have heard back from fe licks satyr, one of the man, mr. satyr through a legislatuaw confirms it was discussed and it involved peaceful in exchange in crimea. he goes on to say, importantly here, because it was a war situation, mr. cohen, donald trump's daughter, mr. cohen thought it was national security advis adviser flynn issue. we have two saying it was discussed and two denying peace being as i say again, we don't know if it got to michael flynn. it's a complicated issue. what's at stake is the perception of foreign policy and diplomacy and what many see as the chaotic trump white house. a private initiative can be seen certainly not publicly with all of the reports potentially landing on the desk of one of the most powerful men in the white house. many are delighted to find there were initiatives to end this very protracted war but, of course, too, would be alarmed at the scope for unofficial initiatives given the pressure that the west is trying to put on russia. >> anything peyton walsh in kiev, thanks very much, nick. john. pope francis says bad christians damaging the church going so far may not be christians at all. details in a moment. with e*trade you see things your way. you have access to the right information at the right moment. and when you filter out the noise, it's easy to turn your vision into action. it's your trade. e*trade. why is my son having trouble i[beep]ol? finding lowest airfare to istanbul. no. i'm tired of fighting with my son over his homework. [beep] home wok restaurant. need a review? no! he's smart but his mind wanders. [beep] seven wonders of the world. why don't you understand me? [beep] i do. i was trying to show how connor feels every day. redirecting to understood.org narrator: join parents and experts at understood.org. a free online resource about learning and attention issues to help your child thrive. now christians who do not live by christian values, at a homily in rome pope francis says those who expose others might as well be atheists. >> reporter: the pope's remarks came during a reflection on a gospel passage in which jesus says not to cause scandal. pope francis says one of the ways in which christians give scandal is by leading a double life, by being hypocrite call. he gave the example of a business owner who goes to mass and says he's a good christian but then doesn't pay his workers a just wage. the pope says the problem with this is that other people see that behavior and says, if that's being a christian, then it's better to be an atheist. the pope in these comments is not advocating athiesm over christianity. he is telling christians to be better christians to live out more coherently what they believe and what they do so that other people who see them will not think it is better to be an atheist. delia gallagher, cnn, rome. you have been watching cnn "newsroom." i'm isa soares on cnn. john vause, it's been a pleasure. >> thank you for watching. stay with us. news continues next with george howell and natalee holloway. this is the food system. but what if it didn't have to be? at blue apron, we're building a better food system. where we value quality and flavor over quantity and shelf-life. where chefs and farmers work together to make farms healthier, grow higher quality ingredients, and deliver them in-season, ripe and ready to cook. because food is better when you start from scratch. blue apron. exclusive cnn reporting. the white house ask the fbi to push back on media reports about russia. up ahead here, why the feds denied that request. police now know what killed kim jong-un's half brother. it is a toxic nerve agent used in chemical warfare. private homes turning into safe houses. the growing underground network that's ready to help undocumented immigrants. it's all ahead here. welcome to our viewers in the united states and around the world, i'm natalie allen. >> it's good to have you here. >> i'm george howell. this is cnn "newsroom."