Realities. Democrats are dealing with the evidence provided by witnesses under oath while republicans are spouting conspiracy theories and using their playbook, which includes throwing mud on the process, the evidence, and the witnesses. The huge contrast was on full display this past wednesday and friday as diplomats collided with congressional members over the dueling narratives each side was trying to prove. Last week next week, i should say, should prove to be even more dramatic as the process continues full steam ahead with potential fireworks coming when gordon sondland, the u. S. Ambassador to the european nation. One person who wont be on that stage, former matches governor patrick who declared his candidacy for the nomination this week. But we start with the latest analysis on the impeachment drama this week in washington. Joining me now, republican strategist and msnbc analyst susan del percio and david brock, chairman of the american bridge 21st century, a Democratic Political organization. But first, breaking news. Minutes ago we got fresh new transcripts from the joint depositions of Deputy Assistant to the president Timothy Morrison and Vice President pences special adviser on europe and russia, Jennifer Williams. According to congressman adam schiff, the testimony shows that President Trumps july 25th phone call with ukrainian president zelensky immediately set off alarm bells throughout the white house. Both witnesses provided the committees with firsthand accounts after personally listening to the call in the white house situation room. Joining us now for the latest, nbc News White House correspondent mike viqueira. Mike, what can you tell us . Good evening, al. Youre right, that testimony from gordon sondland, the eu ambassador, is mentioned in these transcripts at the center of these allegations that have led to the dramatic hearings this week. Lets start with Jennifer Williams and the transcripts that were released an hour ago by the Intelligence Committee in the house of representatives. Well start with jennifer weapons , that top aide on europe and russia to Vice President pence who was on that july 25th call. She says the call in her view was more political in nature, so it struck me as unusual and inappropriate. She further testified that i guess for me it shedlight on possible other motivations behind a Security Assistance hold. That, of course, refers to that 400 million that was held allegedly because President Trump wanted president volodymyr zelensky, the newly elected president of ukraine to go before cameras and call for an investigation into the bidens and burisma. Now lets talk about tim morrison who succeeded fiona hill, another transcript that was released, succeeded her as the Top National Security council aid on russia and europe. His testimony according to the transcript, some of this was already known, but in short order after that pivotal july tad call between the two president s, he thought the contents would leak and he was concerned how the contents would be used in washingtons political process, but he said he did not have auto view on whether the call was proper. It did not focus as much on what i heard it would focus on, which was president zelenskys reform agenda, talking again about that call. Then he talks about a meeting on september 1st, a meeting in warsaw around another european summit meeting. He witnessed a conversation between the eu ambassador, gordon sondland, and a top aide to president zelensky, andriy yermak. Sondland told tim morrison after that meeting what could help the cannes move that aid, that 400 million is if the prosecutor general in the Ukrainian Government would go to the mic and ask that he was opening the burisma investigation. So a lot more on that alleged quid pro quo. I know thats a term that democrats dont want to be using anymore. What theyre terming bribery now as revealed in these transcripts that have been released now. Prerc there was testimony from another Administration Official today. This individual named mark sandy testifying, just leaving an hour ago. This person from the omb is the one that conveyed to other agencies that that 400 million in military aid to the right russian irregulars, that that aid was on hold allegedly because the president wanted that investigation announced by president zelensky before cameras. Reverend al . Many thanks to you, nbcs mike viqueira. Id like to turn back to my panel. Susan, now these transcripts just released an hour ago, you have williams saying that it seemed more political. You have morrison saying that trpgit did not deal with president zelensky would do. Doesnt this further help the democrats case . It does. And its also furthering the narrative. I think that the democrats, adam schiff has been very wise in having a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning was setting up the stage. Thats what we heard from tdipl. Now were going to hear how the functioning goes. Omb releases the money, its a boring process, but thats where u to go to get the money released. Who oversees that . The president s acting chief of staff, mulvaney, who wont testify front of the congress. And then it will be wrapped up in a bow from people who were on the call. Thats been very good. The republicans have nowhere to go. It was clear from the first day of testimony. Its clear today. They dont have a narrative to counter what happened, which is the president sought to have political gain using taxpayer dollars to pay ransom to zelensky so he could not let his people could i on the border against russia. David, the president has several witnesses that said implicit implicitly and explicitly f he held that money and used that as a way to say to president zelensky and ukraine, youve got to publicly announce an investigation on my potential opponent, is that not an abuse of power . Is that not bribery or extortion . Absolutely, it is abuse of power and i think it is bribery. The constitution envisioned this bribery kind of charge. So i think what comes through these recent testimony that we heard today and through week is the National Security implications of this. Neither the nixon or clinton impeachment had to do with National Security. They started wednesday saying this was boring and hearsay. That prompted david holmes to come out friday and said he had firsthand evidence. And then just as the ratings were so good on wednesday and democrats were nervous, on friday President Trump starts tweeting. That makes the hearing incredibly riveting, and then everyone tunes in. So they dont have a narrative and the Public Education aspect of this is all on the democratic side. And the upside is more people are going to be appalled by not only the abuse of power and the bribery, but the National Security implications. Now, susan, friday, witnesses understand, former ambassador forced out of her job, dignified in many ways, ambassador yovanovitch was the perfect reasonable witness with credentials going back to the reagan administration, whien sh served in government. The president starts tweeting what she felt was intimidating the tweet disparaged her record and career as a diplomat for the state department. Later Intel Committee chair adam schiff read the tweet to her and then ill show you what happened in the exchange with schiff and the witness. Now the president in real time is attacking you. What effect do you think that has on other witnesses willingness to come forward and suppose wrongdoing . Well, its very intimidating. Designed to intimidate, is it not . I mean, i cant speak to what the president is trying to do, but i think the effect is to be equipmenting. Now, when ambassador yovanovitch says its intimidating and the president is doing this as shes testifying, we see even on fox news brett and chris wall strac taking the other side. Politically doesnt this start to say to some of the republican senators, wait a minute, we better start moon walking backwards because our constituents watch fox news and they seem to be taking an adverse position. Even ken starr, who was part of the clinton impeachment was on fox news saying, whoa, he didnt do this on the advice of counsel. Thats what republicans in the house and senate are so concerned about. They dont know what happens next with this president. The man has no discipline. He cannot control himself. If he hears his name or thinks he can make himself look good or someone else look bad, he will do it and not think of the consequences, which is not what you want from a president. Right. Its also what scares the elected officials because they dont know what else is out there. They are scared to death of sondlands testimony because he was there, he had the conversation with the president. A lot of people think that sondland even though hes had a little trouble with his testimony and had to rework it a big, hes not going to lie for the president. Thats for sure. Hes no roger stone. Is sondland the one that could really begin the end for this . Also the lets say the effort to try to get john bolton, who could also be vital in this, david. Right. I think bolton could be critical, but for the next week all eyes will be on sondland because theres drama and the fact that he changed his story. Two, it will be interesting to see what the republicans do. Theyve been acting as the Defense Attorneys for trump rather than as finders of fact. Will they try to smear sondland and say hes lying now. Its much more credible that he changed his mind or had better memory because on wednesday what he is will be consistent with what everybody else said, which there was a bribery here. Now, if you are in the senate, youre a republican, though you clearly are not one that the siding with the president on these matters and others. If you were a republican senator or an adviser to one, wouldnt about you nervous now, particularly if youre one of the 20 some odd senate seats that are up that you are now being asked to walk the plank and maybe destroy your political career if youre too close to an unpredictable, undisciplined president . Yes. What i would advise him to say is i am a potential juror and i will not comment, and thats the best they can do. All right. Well have more with suzanne and caved later in the show. Coming up, my next guest was one of the first members of congress to call for the impeachment and removal of President Trump. Representative Yvette Clarke of brooklyn is next. First, my colleague richard lui with todays top news stories. Thanks, rev. Stories were watching for you this hour, former nfl quarterback Colin Kaepernick is wrapping up workouts for at least 11 teams today. The 32yearold remains in the headlines. You might remember him from 2016, though, for kneeling during the National Anthem to protest systematic racism. The action ladyled to intense backlash, including President Donald Trump who tweeted his criticism of kaepernick and other athletes taking a knee. Many, however, are expressing concern about todays workouts saying its only a publicity stunt to help the nfls image. Five injured after a High School Shooting after a Football Game last night. Terrified fans running from the bleachers, players rushed off the field in that chaos. At least two people are hospitalized with serious injuries. Just days away from execution, rodney reeds death sentence was put on hold last night. A texas Court Ordered the delay demanding new evidence including claims of false testimony. Reed had been scheduled to be executed wednesday. More politicsnation with reverend al sharpton right after the break. Rsion of best ball. Because here, you can choose any car in the aisle, even if its a better car class than the one you reserved. So no matter what, youre guaranteed to have a perfect drive. [laughter] vo go national. Go like a pro. See what i did there . Nongmo, made with naturally sundown vitamins are all sourced colors and flavors and are gluten dairy free. Theyre all clean. All the time. Even if sometimes were not. Sundown vitamins. All clean. All the time. 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And if someone trys well let you know. Xfi advanced security. If its connected, its protected. Call, click, or visit a store today. A damning week for President Trump after revealing public impeachment hearing testimonies from distinguished members of the state department, but is it enough to move the needle of public sentiment regarding the president s actions . Joining me now is democratic congresswoman Yvette Clarke of new york, a member of the Homeland Security committee and of the congressional black caucus. First of all, let me ask you, what is the flavor like on the hill . I mean, off camera they cant say flavor with republican and democratic congresspeople, how are they reacting off camera to what the proceedings have brought so far . Well, theres so much energy on the hill right now, but its a somber mood. You know, members are very focused on the fact that were going through an impeachment inquiry, that different witnesses are coming in, that its now before the public. And the public is responding, theyre on capitol hill, press is on capitol hill. So were very, very aware, acutely aware of the historic moment that were in. Now, when you say were very aware of the moment that were in, you were one of the first members of congress to call for impeachment. Do you feel like the proceedings so far has leaned toward justifying your position and others that were early on this that were told this is a witch hunt when we have obviously people that are testifying that whomever this whistleblower was was saying something that was reality . Absolutely. Reverend al, i feel extremely justified in taking the position that i have. This is what were experiencing right now, is something that doesnt fas smell test. And i felt very early on that the election that was held in 2016 didnt fas smell test. The bottom line to it is that we know there was russian interference, and here we are again seeking International Interference. Donald trump is seeking International Interference in the 2020 election. Because at the end of the day if hes asking for a public announcement of an investigation, not even saying it has to lead to a conviction or theres ed, Just Announced the investigation, that would be enough to smear his opponent and affect on elections. And weve seen that same play in the last election, right . So it was very important that we got to this impeachment inquiry because we do not want to see a repeat of what took place in 2020. And beyond that, donald trump is not above the law. He has brought in a culture of corruption that goes wide and deep at the federal government at this stage. Its our responsibility to bring this to light for the American People to see, that indeed theres been a massive breach of our constitution. I want to show you something. Adam schiff spoke earlier today in california and commented on just how dangerous he believes the president is. Take a listen. There is nothing more dangerous than an unethical president who believes that he is above the law. Your response is almost like he was hearing you in advance. Its true because our National Security is at risk. The other thing we found about donald trump is when he wants to distract from his personal concerns, he will do anything in terms of deflecting. That could mean attacking a certain segment of the population, witnesses that are giving their testimony. He does so many things to distract and they oftentimes end up being things that harm people. We have to look at this at multiple levels because, indeed, our National Security is at risk. Our domestic tranquility is at risk. Ukraine was under direct threat from russia. Let me take you off the hill for a minute. In your district in brooklyn, are people talking about this . Do you think the public is engaged in this impeachment inquiry to the degree that you and others in the congress and in the senate are saying, wait a minute, we need to be cautious here . Reverend, there is not a place that i dont go to in my district where someone is walking up to me saying impeach him. Theyre very in tune with whats going on, whether its in church, the supermarket, a community meeting. People are very concerned because the 9th Congressional District sitsz in the bullseye of just about every meanspirited and cruel policy that the Trump Administration has pursued. So they are very conscious of whats t