Transcripts For MSNBCW The Last Word With Lawrence ODonnell

Analysis and discussion of the days top stories and compelling issues from Lawrence ODonnell. Daniels and other women during the campaign. It was always so clear to him that he did something wrong that he lied about it when he was asked about it on Air Force One, which became the next question in the briefing. So many people now look back at that tape of him on Air Force One saying he knew nothing about these payments, when in fact we now know he knew everything about those payment, so has he lied. Thats a ridiculous accusation. The president has done nothing wrong and there are no charges against him. So now it is a ridiculous accusation if you ask the question has the president lied after the whole world has watched the president lie on Air Force One. Mr. President , did you know about the 130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels . Then why did makele cohen make that. You have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael is my attorney and youll have to ask michael. Do you know where he got the money to make that payment . No, i dont know. Did he lie to the American People when he talked about this on Air Force One. No. The president addressed this a number of times. Well, its all about the minds of trump voters now. Can they watch the president lie on Air Force One and hear the White House Press secretary say, no, he didnt lie and be okay with that . There are going to be fewer and fewer White House Press briefings now because every one from now on will include questions that would be asked in an Impeachment Hearing in the Judiciary Committee in the house of representatives where the impeachment process beginning. In Federal Court yesterday the prosecutor described for the judge the evidence that proves Michael Cohens guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the crimes that he says he committed with donald trump. Prosecutors said that that evidence includes, quote, records obtained from an april 9th, 2018 search, including hard copy documents seized Electronic Devices and Audio Recordings made by mr. Cohen. Audio recordings made by mr. Cohen. We know donald trump is on at least one of those Audio Recordings already released by Michael Cohens tv lawyer. And i have spoken to alan about how to set the whole thing up with funding. Yes. And its all the stuff, all the stuff. Because you never know. Correct. So im all over that. And i spoke to alan about it. When it comes time for the financing, which will be what financing . Well have to pay. Pay with cash . No, no, no. I got it. Check . Donald trump is not the only coconspirator identified yesterday by the prosecutors. In their charges document the Prosecution Team identified david pecker, the chairman and ceo of the company that controls the National Inquirer as one of the companies that bought the silence. So will david pecker be charged with a crime or will he cooperate with prosecutors to avoid being charged with a crime . Is david pecker already cooperating with federal prosecutors and telling them everything he knows about the president of the United States. But david pecker is not the only person under pressure tonight along with Michael Cohen from federal prosecutors, for both of the Illegal Campaign contributions that Michael Cohen helped arranged, he had more help committing that crime, help that was identified in the prosecutors charging document this way, quote, he coordinated with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls about the fact, nature and timing of the payments. This is the single most overlooked piece of the evidence in the case against Michael Cohen as we know it now. At least one person other than donald trump in the Trump Campaign was involved in the meetings and phone calls and knew about the payments, including the timing of the payments. Now, who would that be . Donald trumps favorite press operative, hope hicks . The prosecutors know who that person or people are who worked in the campaign and knew all about the illegal payments. Those people are under pressure tonight unlike any they have been under before. Are some of those people on Michael Cohens recordings . The prosecutor did not say recording. She said recordings, plural. How many . What is the likelihood that Michael Cohen made a recording of every person in the campaign who was involved in this crime. Thats the question you are asking yourself tonight if you worked in the Trump Campaign. There is so much more evidence that is going to come out about the crimes that donald trump is now accused of having committed with Michael Cohen and other members of the Trump Campaign. We have seen not even the tip of the iceberg of the evidence that Michael Cohen has, and that is why the fbi took the unprecedented step of raiding Michael Cohens home and office and hotel room. They dont do that with attorneys every day, very, very rare. They did it because they had reason to believe just how rich that Evidence Trove would be. We know david pecker is in trouble tonight, and we have ever reason to believe that david pecker, like Michael Cohen, will do nothing to protect donald trump when he has to choose between telling the fbi the truth or protecting donald trump. Thats an easy choice. And it is an easy choice for hope hicks or Kellyanne Conway or whoever the members of the Trump Campaign are who helped Michael Cohen commit those crimes. They are not going to take any chances now trying to protect donald trump now that the man who once boasted he would take a bullet for donald trump has delivered the smoking gun in the investigation of donald trump. How many other smoking guns are there . And who can give them to the Special Prosecutor . That discussion is next. And we have more breaking its absolute confidence in 30,000 precision parts, or it isnt. Its inspected by mercedesbenz factorytrained technicians, or it isnt. Its backed by an unlimited mileage warranty, or it isnt. For those who never settle, its either mercedesbenz certified preowned, or it isnt. The mercedesbenz certified preowned sales event, now through august 31st. Only at your authorized mercedesbenz dealer. Heartburn and gas . Now fight both fast new Tums Chewy Bites with gas relief all in one relief of heartburn and gas tum tum tum tums new Tums Chewy Bites with gas relief who would have guessed . An Energy Company helping cars emit less. Making cars lighter, its a good place to start, advanced oils for those hardworking parts. Fuels that go further so drivers pump less. Improving efficiency is what we do best. Energy lives here. Encounters with President Trump, including mr. Trumps knowledge of the deals. Joining our discussion now, barbara, a former federal prosecutor, professor of law at the university of michigan. And a former senior aid to president obama and a former Chief Counsel to the senate Judiciary Committee. I saw David Johnston there, but someone left him out of my Tell Prompter there. Running the organization dcreport. Org, which studying the trump organization. Barbara, first to you, this information just reported by the Wall Street Journal that david pecker, who was clearly identified in yesterdays proceeding of Michael Cohens guilty plea is now, its confirmed by the Wall Street Journal, he is already cooperating with the prosecutor and had already cooperated with the prosecutor before they even made that presentation yesterday, which seems to make sense when you read every part of that presentation. Yeah. This is very significant news, i think, because i think one of the skepticisms of what Michael Cohen had to say is just, you know, hes talking out of his own selfinterest. Now to have david pecker, someone speaking against his own selfinterest to have provided that information is strongly kor corroborative. Chances are, they are documentation that supports that as well. Very significant piece of news there. And ron, president today telling fox news something kind of vague about his knowledge of the payments when he was asked about did you know about the payments. He said later, later. We have no idea what that was supposed to mean. Here is david pecker, according to the Wall Street Journal, saying that President Trump was part of arranging the payments and that President Trump had knowledge of the deals and knowledge of the deals being arranged. Thats right, lawrence. I think your introduction made such an important point, which is we know so much more about this today than we did yesterday. But to paraphrase an old pop song, not half as much as were going to know tomorrow. Robert mueller knows a lot of things we dont know yet. Thousands, Tens Of Thousands of pages from Michael Cohens office, months of investigation starting to come to light now, the scope of it is really quite stunning. But there is still a lot here we dont know. All we do know is it is going to point in a very bad direction for the president. He clearly lied to the American People. He clearly lied to anyone who he talked to about it. And, you know, we now have two witnesses corroborating the fact he directed people to commit a crime. Thats a very serious piece of business with a lot of unknown stuff still out there. David johnston, you have been following donald trump. I think the easiest prediction you could have made for us tonight is that of course david pecker is going to cooperate with federal prosecutors. The Wall Street Journal has beat us to even making it as a prediction. They have got it as already underway. Well, and the other people are going to step forward now. Donald has always been able to beat back law enforcement, beat back grand jurying, compromise people, get people to advance his interest. And now all these other people understanding that donald trump is only loyal to donald are going to start abandoning him. And this is a dangerous time for our country because donalds erratic behavior will likely become much, money more erratic. He will have a lot of internal conflict over this because, remember, in his delusional mind he is greater than all of us. Were idiots. Were stupid. We dont know, and he is the superior person. In the material revealed by the prosecutor yesterday, we saw a description of members of the Trump Campaign, unnamed members of the Trump Campaign, as full participants in this criminal conspiracy for these Illegal Campaign contributions to be made. And i think we have every reason to believe tonight that they are at least under as close scrutiny as david pecker is from the prosecutors and whoever they are, they are likely already cooperating with the prosecutors. Yeah. Whoever they are, you know bob mueller knows who they are and you know they know bob mueller knows who they are. But if i could make a quick point about david pecker, an interesting part about the information, the statement of facts that he pleaded to is that in 2015, a year before this all goes down, there is an agreement with pecker and ami to handle the problems and the hush agreements that would be necessary. Arguably, that would be the beginning of the criminal conspiracy here. So that puts pecker really in the hot seat. Thats such an important point that harry made. I noticed that when i was reading it i didnt highlight it the way harry just did. Im so glad he did because this introduces an element of premedation and rather distant premedation from the events that actually erupt the next year with the two women that created the dynamics that forced or encouraged, i should say, donald trump and Michael Cohen and others in the campaign to commit this crime. And so it wasnt something that was suddenly upon him and these inexperienced people just kind of frantically tried to put something together to protect the candidate. This was something planned. This was a premeditated, planned million plan. Yeah. It has all the ear marks of a conspiracy. And then they pull the trigger as the election approaches, very close to the election. Anybody who was involved in the agreement to violate the Campaign Finance laws, even if they did nothing more than agree, could be on the hook here. We know that there were many overt acts in these payments, in the Financial Transactions that went along with them. Anybody that was part of that agreement could be guilty of conspiracy. That likely includes all of these people identified by code name only in the current charging documents, but whose identities will become known over the coming months. It may be that some are already cooperating and it may be that President Trump is one of those coconspirators. And david the president now saying that i talked about this. I talked about the payments and in his answer to fox news today, he says something about the fact that i tweeted about the payments. That is something that happened only after Rudy Giuliani had that moment on tv where he blurted out Donald Trumps involvement in the payments not long after donald trump had denied any knowledge of the payments. Well, donald has told so many lies here about so many things that i dont think he could keep them straight. I cant keep them straight without a written list. And so and there are problems going beyond this. I think it is very significant that Michael Cohen was served with a subpoena about the Trump Foundation matters which also could involve criminality by donald trump and his family and he immediately responded to that subpoena to the State Department of taxation and said, gee, i want to tell you everything i can. Nine weeks ago, we said they need to do a criminal investigation of the Trump Foundation. And, ron, the congress now wants to hear more possibly from Michael Cohen. Michael cohen is willing to testify to congress. Not only that, there is a report today that Michael Cohen himself responded to a contact from the new York State Attorney general that was interested in hearing what he might know about the Trump Foundation and things that the new York State Attorney general is investigating. So Michael Cohen as we see him now appears to be it is impossible for him to be more eager to get out there and testify about donald trump. Thats right, lawrence. And it is important to remember that, though it sounds kind of technical, the significance of this new York State Attorney general investigation you just mentioned and that david just mentioned is this, it is an investigation in which Donald Trumps pardon power has no power. He cannot pardon state crimes. So if donald trump goes over the top here and starts pardoning everyone, the new York State Attorney generals investigation is going to continue. It is an investigation that can send people to jail. And it is an investigation that donald trump can obstruct. Thats why it is so important. Thank you for starting us off tonight. Really appreciate it. When we come back, you did not miss the republican outrage today after the president was accused of federal crimes in Federal Court yesterday. Well cover that next. What happens to that outrage . And later the president of the United States praised his convicted former campaign chairman, and he has refused to rule out a pardon for Air Force One<\/a>, which became the next question in the briefing. So many people now look back at that tape of him on Air Force One<\/a> saying he knew nothing about these payments, when in fact we now know he knew everything about those payment, so has he lied. Thats a ridiculous accusation. The president has done nothing wrong and there are no charges against him. So now it is a ridiculous accusation if you ask the question has the president lied after the whole world has watched the president lie on Air Force One<\/a>. Mr. President , did you know about the 130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels<\/a> . Then why did makele cohen make that. You have to ask Michael Cohen<\/a>. Michael is my attorney and youll have to ask michael. Do you know where he got the money to make that payment . No, i dont know. Did he lie to the American People<\/a> when he talked about this on Air Force One<\/a>. No. The president addressed this a number of times. Well, its all about the minds of trump voters now. Can they watch the president lie on Air Force One<\/a> and hear the White House Press<\/a> secretary say, no, he didnt lie and be okay with that . There are going to be fewer and fewer White House Press<\/a> briefings now because every one from now on will include questions that would be asked in an Impeachment Hearing<\/a> in the Judiciary Committee<\/a> in the house of representatives where the impeachment process beginning. In Federal Court<\/a> yesterday the prosecutor described for the judge the evidence that proves Michael Cohens<\/a> guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the crimes that he says he committed with donald trump. Prosecutors said that that evidence includes, quote,\rrecords obtained from an april 9th, 2018 search, including hard copy documents seized Electronic Devices<\/a> and Audio Recordings<\/a> made by mr. Cohen. Audio recordings made by mr. Cohen. We know donald trump is on at least one of those Audio Recordings<\/a> already released by Michael Cohens<\/a> tv lawyer. And i have spoken to alan about how to set the whole thing up with funding. Yes. And its all the stuff, all the stuff. Because you never know. Correct. So im all over that. And i spoke to alan about it. When it comes time for the financing, which will be what financing . Well have to pay. Pay with cash . No, no, no. I got it. Check . Donald trump is not the only coconspirator identified yesterday by the prosecutors. In their charges document the Prosecution Team<\/a> identified david pecker, the chairman and ceo of the company that controls the National Inquirer<\/a> as one of the companies that bought the silence. So will david pecker be charged with a crime or will he cooperate with prosecutors to avoid being charged with a crime . Is david pecker already cooperating with federal prosecutors and telling them everything he knows about the president of the United States<\/a>. But david pecker is not the only person under pressure tonight along with Michael Cohen<\/a> from federal prosecutors, for both of the Illegal Campaign<\/a> contributions that Michael Cohen<\/a> helped arranged, he had more help committing that crime, help that was identified in the prosecutors charging document this way, quote, he coordinated\rwith one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls about the fact, nature and timing of the payments. This is the single most overlooked piece of the evidence in the case against Michael Cohen<\/a> as we know it now. At least one person other than donald trump in the Trump Campaign<\/a> was involved in the meetings and phone calls and knew about the payments, including the timing of the payments. Now, who would that be . Donald trumps favorite press operative, hope hicks . The prosecutors know who that person or people are who worked in the campaign and knew all about the illegal payments. Those people are under pressure tonight unlike any they have been under before. Are some of those people on Michael Cohens<\/a> recordings . The prosecutor did not say recording. She said recordings, plural. How many . What is the likelihood that Michael Cohen<\/a> made a recording of every person in the campaign who was involved in this crime. Thats the question you are asking yourself tonight if you worked in the Trump Campaign<\/a>. There is so much more evidence that is going to come out about the crimes that donald trump is now accused of having committed with Michael Cohen<\/a> and other members of the Trump Campaign<\/a>. We have seen not even the tip of the iceberg of the evidence that Michael Cohen<\/a> has, and that is why the fbi took the unprecedented step of raiding Michael Cohens<\/a> home and office and hotel room. They dont do that with attorneys every day, very, very rare. They did it because they had reason to believe just how rich that Evidence Trove<\/a> would be. We know david pecker is in\rtrouble tonight, and we have ever reason to believe that david pecker, like Michael Cohen<\/a>, will do nothing to protect donald trump when he has to choose between telling the fbi the truth or protecting donald trump. Thats an easy choice. And it is an easy choice for hope hicks or Kellyanne Conway<\/a> or whoever the members of the Trump Campaign<\/a> are who helped Michael Cohen<\/a> commit those crimes. They are not going to take any chances now trying to protect donald trump now that the man who once boasted he would take a bullet for donald trump has delivered the smoking gun in the investigation of donald trump. How many other smoking guns are there . And who can give them to the Special Prosecutor<\/a> . That discussion is next. And we have more breaking\rits absolute confidence in 30,000 precision parts, or it isnt. Its inspected by mercedesbenz factorytrained technicians, or it isnt. Its backed by an unlimited mileage warranty, or it isnt. For those who never settle, its either mercedesbenz certified preowned, or it isnt. The mercedesbenz certified preowned sales event, now through august 31st. Only at your authorized mercedesbenz dealer. Heartburn and gas . Now fight both fast new Tums Chewy Bites<\/a> with gas relief all in one relief of heartburn and gas tum tum tum tums new Tums Chewy Bites<\/a> with gas relief\rwho would have guessed . An Energy Company<\/a> helping cars emit less. Making cars lighter, its a good place to start, advanced oils for those hardworking parts. Fuels that go further so drivers pump less. Improving efficiency is what we do best. Energy lives here. Encounters with President Trump<\/a>, including mr. Trumps knowledge of the deals. Joining our discussion now, barbara, a former federal prosecutor, professor of law at the university of michigan. And a former senior aid to president obama and a former Chief Counsel<\/a> to the senate Judiciary Committee<\/a>. I saw David Johnston<\/a> there, but someone left him out of my Tell Prompter<\/a> there. Running the organization dcreport. Org, which studying the trump organization. Barbara, first to you, this information just reported by the Wall Street Journal<\/a> that david pecker, who was clearly identified in yesterdays proceeding of Michael Cohens<\/a> guilty plea is now, its confirmed by the Wall Street Journal<\/a>, he is already cooperating with the prosecutor\rand had already cooperated with the prosecutor before they even made that presentation yesterday, which seems to make sense when you read every part of that presentation. Yeah. This is very significant news, i think, because i think one of the skepticisms of what Michael Cohen<\/a> had to say is just, you know, hes talking out of his own selfinterest. Now to have david pecker, someone speaking against his own selfinterest to have provided that information is strongly kor corroborative. Chances are, they are documentation that supports that as well. Very significant piece of news there. And ron, president today telling fox news something kind of vague about his knowledge of the payments when he was asked about did you know about the payments. He said later, later. We have no idea what that was supposed to mean. Here is david pecker, according to the Wall Street Journal<\/a>, saying that President Trump<\/a> was part of arranging the payments and that President Trump<\/a> had knowledge of the deals and knowledge of the deals being arranged. Thats right, lawrence. I think your introduction made such an important point, which is we know so much more about this today than we did yesterday. But to paraphrase an old pop song, not half as much as were going to know tomorrow. Robert mueller knows a lot of things we dont know yet. Thousands, Tens Of Thousands<\/a> of pages from Michael Cohens<\/a> office, months of investigation starting to come to light now, the scope of it is really quite stunning. But there is still a lot here we dont know. All we do know is it is going to point in a very bad direction for the president. He clearly lied to the American People<\/a>. He clearly lied to anyone who he\rtalked to about it. And, you know, we now have two witnesses corroborating the fact he directed people to commit a crime. Thats a very serious piece of business with a lot of unknown stuff still out there. David johnston, you have been following donald trump. I think the easiest prediction you could have made for us tonight is that of course david pecker is going to cooperate with federal prosecutors. The Wall Street Journal<\/a> has beat us to even making it as a prediction. They have got it as already underway. Well, and the other people are going to step forward now. Donald has always been able to beat back law enforcement, beat back grand jurying, compromise people, get people to advance his interest. And now all these other people understanding that donald trump is only loyal to donald are going to start abandoning him. And this is a dangerous time for our country because donalds\rerratic behavior will likely become much, money more erratic. He will have a lot of internal conflict over this because, remember, in his delusional mind he is greater than all of us. Were idiots. Were stupid. We dont know, and he is the superior person. In the material revealed by the prosecutor yesterday, we saw a description of members of the Trump Campaign<\/a>, unnamed members of the Trump Campaign<\/a>, as full participants in this criminal conspiracy for these Illegal Campaign<\/a> contributions to be made. And i think we have every reason to believe tonight that they are at least under as close scrutiny as david pecker is from the prosecutors and whoever they are, they are likely already cooperating with the prosecutors. Yeah. Whoever they are, you know bob mueller knows who they are and you know they know bob mueller\rknows who they are. But if i could make a quick point about david pecker, an interesting part about the information, the statement of facts that he pleaded to is that in 2015, a year before this all goes down, there is an agreement with pecker and ami to handle the problems and the hush agreements that would be necessary. Arguably, that would be the beginning of the criminal conspiracy here. So that puts pecker really in the hot seat. Thats such an important point that harry made. I noticed that when i was reading it i didnt highlight it the way harry just did. Im so glad he did because this introduces an element of premedation and rather distant premedation from the events that actually erupt the next\ryear with the two women that created the dynamics that forced or encouraged, i should say, donald trump and Michael Cohen<\/a> and others in the campaign to commit this crime. And so it wasnt something that was suddenly upon him and these inexperienced people just kind of frantically tried to put something together to protect the candidate. This was something planned. This was a premeditated, planned million plan. Yeah. It has all the ear marks of a conspiracy. And then they pull the trigger as the election approaches, very close to the election. Anybody who was involved in the agreement to violate the Campaign Finance<\/a> laws, even if they did nothing more than agree, could be on the hook here. We know that there were many overt acts in these payments, in\rthe Financial Transactions<\/a> that went along with them. Anybody that was part of that agreement could be guilty of conspiracy. That likely includes all of these people identified by code name only in the current charging documents, but whose identities will become known over the coming months. It may be that some are already cooperating and it may be that President Trump<\/a> is one of those coconspirators. And david the president now saying that i talked about this. I talked about the payments and in his answer to fox news today, he says something about the fact that i tweeted about the payments. That is something that happened only after Rudy Giuliani<\/a> had that moment on tv where he blurted out Donald Trumps<\/a> involvement in the payments not long after donald trump had denied any knowledge of the payments. Well, donald has told so many lies here about so many things\rthat i dont think he could keep them straight. I cant keep them straight without a written list. And so and there are problems going beyond this. I think it is very significant that Michael Cohen<\/a> was served with a subpoena about the Trump Foundation<\/a> matters which also could involve criminality by donald trump and his family and he immediately responded to that subpoena to the State Department<\/a> of taxation and said, gee, i want to tell you everything i can. Nine weeks ago, we said they need to do a criminal investigation of the Trump Foundation<\/a>. And, ron, the congress now wants to hear more possibly from Michael Cohen<\/a>. Michael cohen is willing to testify to congress. Not only that, there is a report today that Michael Cohen<\/a> himself responded to a contact from the new York State Attorney<\/a> general that was interested in hearing\rwhat he might know about the Trump Foundation<\/a> and things that the new York State Attorney<\/a> general is investigating. So Michael Cohen<\/a> as we see him now appears to be it is impossible for him to be more eager to get out there and testify about donald trump. Thats right, lawrence. And it is important to remember that, though it sounds kind of technical, the significance of this new York State Attorney<\/a> general investigation you just mentioned and that david just mentioned is this, it is an investigation in which Donald Trumps<\/a> pardon power has no power. He cannot pardon state crimes. So if donald trump goes over the top here and starts pardoning everyone, the new York State Attorney<\/a> generals investigation is going to continue. It is an investigation that can send people to jail. And it is an investigation that donald trump can obstruct. Thats why it is so important. Thank you for starting us off tonight. Really appreciate it. When we come back, you did not miss the republican outrage\rtoday after the president was accused of federal crimes in Federal Court<\/a> yesterday. Well cover that next. What happens to that outrage . And later the president of the United States<\/a> praised his convicted former campaign chairman, and he has refused to rule out a pardon for Paul Manafort<\/a>. Fact is, every Insurance Company<\/a> hopes you drive safely. But allstate actually helps you drive safely. With drivewise. It lets you know when you go too fast. And brake too hard. With feedback to help you drive safer. Giving you the power to actually lower your cost. Unfortunately, it cant do anything about that. Now that you know the truth. Are you in good hands . Jushis local miracle ear t at helped andrew hear more of the joy in her voice. Just one hearing test is all it took for him to hear more of her laugh. And less of the Background Noise<\/a> around him. For helen, just one visit to her local miracleear is all it took to learn how she can share more moments with her daughter. Just one free hearing test could help you hear more. Laughter. Music. Life. Call now for your free hearing test from an Industry Leader<\/a> miracleear. Today frank thorpe made this Audio Recording<\/a> with mitch mcconnell. Do you have any reaction to the cohenmanafort news from yesterday . Do you think that its concerning at all . Do you think it will affect the midterms . You still support mueller, right . Absolute silence to all of those questions. Mitch mcconnell is one of the 16 current United States<\/a> senators who voted for the conviction and removal from office of the president of the United States<\/a> in the Senate Impeachment<\/a> trial of bill clinton and today with the president of the United States<\/a> accused of two felonies\rby a coconspirator in those felonies that donald trump is accused of something far worse than what bill clinton ever did, and here, here is the longest serving republican senator today. And in terms of the substance of the payments, i mean, this was hush money paid to porn stars. What do you make of that . Well, im not very happy about it. Ill put it that way and it should never have happened to begin with. Not very happy about it, a little chuckle. He was even more unhappy with president bill clinton who was never accused offer committing felonies, quote, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. This isnt about sex. This is about abuse of the office of the president. This is abuse of power. It is about obstruction of justice, trying to stop the investigation or deter the investigation or disrupt the did not come from new york city, did not live on fifth avenue because in tonights breaking Orrin Hatch News<\/a> from the New York Times<\/a>, orrin hatch said this to the New York Times<\/a> i think most people in this country realize that donald trump comes from a different world. He comes from new york city. He comes from a slam bang difficult world. It is amazing he is as good as he is. If anything, you have to give him applause for the way he has run the country has president. New york city has more than triple the number of americans than the entire state of utah that orrin hatch represents, but he believes that those three Million People<\/a> in utah are real americans. New yorkers are not, and therefore New Yorkers Cannot<\/a> be judged by the moral code of the people in utah or anywhere else in the country. And if a rich republican becomes president of the United States<\/a>, well, you got to give him credit. Could be worse. Joining our discussion now, mick murphy, a republican strategist. And back with us is ron klein. You know many of these republican senators. I used to work with orrin hatch\rin the senate. I never would have predicted he would have said it is okay if you are from manhattan. It is not okay if you are from little rock. Maybe i have been around politics too long, but im always reminded of count business marks quote that the greatest lies are told after the hunt, before the marriage and in the election. In this 80 day period it is not the right time to look for the kind of moral leadership id like to be seeing coming from the republican party. That said, im depressed enough to think if we had Epically Rogue Democratic<\/a> president now, i have a feeling the republicans would be full of high moral dungeon. After what we learned from cohen, the president was involved in directing at least\ran alleged crime and president s cant do that. So we have crossed a line now and a fuse has been lit that may not pay off until after this election as the parties lock into their positions. But this is like rust, it doesnt stop. It is the beginning of a real turn to the trump presidency. Ron, you were there listening to those speeches during the clinton impeachment trial, as i was. Yeah. And i know you cannot have lived through that and not be hearing those speeches today just as you walk the streets. You remember what Chuck Grassley<\/a> was saying, what Lindsey Graham<\/a> was saying. I remember what all 16 of these republican senators were saying then, and im listening to their silence or there, in orrin hatchs case, their amusement today. Not to excuse what president clinton did, it was wrong. But what President Trump<\/a> is\ralleged to have done in a sworn statement is to have engaged in a criminal conspiracy to try to influence the election. These payments to Stormy Daniels<\/a> went out the last two weeks of the campaign. Jim comey is making his charges about Hillary Clinton<\/a> in her emails, donald trump is paying off someone to suppress information that would have had a big impact on this campaign. It is a very, very serious charge. These republicans in the house and senate who were inspectors when it came to Hillary Clinton<\/a> emails are now inspectors when it comes to the crimes piling up against donald trump. One of the prices may be in terms of Robert Mueller<\/a>. The whole rational for not indicting a president is it is up to the congress to hold the president accountable. If the congress is going to walk off that job, Robert Mueller<\/a> may see his job a little differently. And mike murphy, the republicans running in these\rswing districts, in districts that can go the other way or in districts that have previously felt safe and we have seen theyre losing 20 Point Margins<\/a> in some districts, how would you advise a republican running in these districts where Donald Trumps<\/a> popularity is way below even the Republican Office<\/a> holders popularity . Yeah. There is no easy way out. If i told them the truth, which i would do, it would be to build a time machine, go back to two years and find some character and address trump from day one. Thats the solution. Problem is, dont have time machines. So what a lot of them are going to do is dig in, scream about nancy pelosi, put their head down and try to force their way through it. This is the kind of wave election, most likely, looking at what we learned from the Special Election<\/a> where mere political tactics of evasion will not save you if you are in one of those dangerous seats. A few are trying to distance\rthemselves here and there from the president. But again it is awful late. And the sins that have been committed are big enough that people are already starting to make their judgment. To there is no clever political trick to get people out of this mess, one that i think frankly being a bit complicit in trumpism for too long has put them into. Sometimes politics is just as difficult as it looks. Mike murphy, ron klein, thank you very much. Coming up, a President Candidate<\/a> who promised to drain the swamp of criminal lobbyists now thinks lobbyists committing crimes is perfectly okay. What happened to the Zero Tolerance<\/a> presidency, or does Zero Tolerance<\/a> only apply to mothers on the southern border and not to lobbyists in washington . Doug, doug \rdoug, where do we get a replacement Chili Pepper Bulb<\/a> . So well design the insurance solution that fits your business. Its a very niche bulb. Its a specialty bulb. Paul manafort . I have Great Respect<\/a> for what hes done in terms of what hes gone through. You know, he worked for Ronald Reagan<\/a> for years. He worked for many, many people. Many, many years. And i would say what he did some of the charges they threw against him, every consultant, every lobbyist in washington probably does. No matter how many times you listen to that answer you are not going to hear an answer to the question of whether he would pardon Paul Manafort<\/a>. President trump is trying to excuse Paul Manaforts<\/a> crimes by saying that most lobbyists in washington would commit the same kind of crimes, so the President Candidate<\/a> that promised to drain the swamp now thinks lobbyists committing crimes perfectly okay because they all do it. Paul manaforts own lawyer didnt even bother to say that Paul Manafort<\/a> is a good man yesterday. Paul manafort was found guilty on eight federal felonies. Instead, Paul Manaforts<\/a> lawyers simply thanked the judge for a pair trial and said Paul Manafort<\/a> was examining his options. Not that Paul Manafort<\/a> was going to appeal or fight it all the way to the supreme court, examining his options which means Paul Manafort<\/a> is deciding whether to continue to pay high priced Defense Lawyers<\/a> in another defense case in washington, d. C. Next month where he is more likely to lose than the case he already lost, or the other option, start working on reducing his prison time by cooperating with and working with Special Prosecutor<\/a> Robert Mueller<\/a>. President trump has been portraying Paul Manafort<\/a> as a victim of the Special Prosecutor<\/a>. What if Paul Manafort<\/a> switches from claiming hes not guilty to confessing that he is guilty and reaches a deal with Robert Mueller<\/a> to plead guilty. How can Paul Manafort<\/a> be the victim of a witch hunt if Paul Manafort<\/a> himself says hes guilty. Thats next. [upbeat music] now im gonna tell my momma that im a traveller transitions\u2122 light under control\u2122\rtransitions\u2122 presents four new colors style colors by transitions\u2122 its a revolution in sleep. The new sleep number 360 smart bed is on sale now, from 899, during sleep numbers biggest sale of the year. It senses your movement, and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. It even helps with this. So you wake up ready to put your pedal to the metal. And now, all beds are on sale. Save 50 on the new sleep number 360\rlimited Edition Smart<\/a> bed. Plus, 24month financing and free home delivery. Ends saturday. Sleep number. Proven, quality sleep. But lets be honest, nobody likes dealing with insurance. Which is why esurance hired me, dennis quaid, as their spokesperson because apparently, im highly likable. See, they know its confusing. I literally have no idea what im getting, dennis quaid. Thats why theyre making it simple, man in cafe. And more affordable. Thank you, dennis quaid. Youre welcome. Thats a prop apple. Id tell you more, but i only have 30 seconds. So heres a dramatic shot of their tagline so youll remember it. Esurance. Its surprisingly painless. Pardoning Paul Manafort<\/a> with President Trump<\/a>. Joining us our discussion is franklin ford. Franklin, you have been following the Paul Manafort<\/a> story closely. Youve asked the question in your latest reporting on this. How much longer can he take this, basically . How long longer can he afford this . As he considers his options, is he going to decide to flip . What is the best state of our understanding of Paul Manaforts<\/a> options, at this point . Right. Its hes facing a very expensive set of choices. We know hes financially constrained based on everything during the last trial. So over the course of the next couple of weeks, before the trial kicks off in washington, d. C. , hell need to decide if he has faith that he can get the\rpardon from donald trump or does he have to forge ahead and potentially take the risk of seeing jail time . Of squandering the rest of his Family Fortune<\/a> . I think Paul Manafort<\/a> is a guy able to live in denial up until this point. He had incredible selfconfidence and selfdelusion. I think that the time for denial and selfdelusion essentially ended. Even somebody with incredible capacity for selfdelusion has to face certain extremely obvious facts. And, barbara, here is what the New York Times<\/a> is reporting about the president s own discussions with rudy about pardoning Paul Manafort<\/a>. Its giuliani is the source. He said the two have discussed the political fallout should mr. Trump grant a pardon. Yesterdays plea and this is giulianiing. Theres the confirmation. Rudy and the president discussing a pardon. I think a pardon, at this moment in the procedural posture of the case would be so extraordinary. You know, a pardon is ordinarily reserved for people shown remorse. It shows forgiveness and allowing someone to get on with their life after theyve completed their sentence. Usually after five years have passed so you can see the person has done things to get on with their life and be a contributing member of society. To grant a pardon at this stage would be extraordinary. Weve completed the first trial. He hasnt been sentenced yet. Hes facing another trial that starts in a few weeks. So a pardon at this stage, i think would like political. You know, ordinarily what you often see is the president s granting more controversial\rpardons on the way out of office. Maybe we would get one down the road. I think if we did one now, it would be politically risky for trump. Theres another complication and Paul Manafort<\/a> could become a witness for the Special Prosecutor<\/a>. Because Paul Manafort<\/a> could then be subpoenaed. He would have no fifth amendment protections against the things hes been pardoned for. Yeah. Exactly. And, you know, we exist right now in Something Like<\/a> a cave where weve seen Paul Manaforts<\/a> weve seen a lot about Paul Manafort<\/a> revealed in the way he operated during the campaign and the risks he was willing to take in abuse the campaign for its own selfinterests. We dont know how it stitches together to whatever broader narrative Robert Mueller<\/a> is pulling together. But Donald Trumps<\/a> behavior, as you suggest, clearly shows he thinks that theres something that Paul Manafort<\/a> would be able to provide to the special\rprosecutor that will be damning and lead in the direction of him. Yeah. Barbara, anyone else a politician would want to avoid any association of manafort. Wouldnt want to talk about it. Donald trump seems eager to say good things about him. Thank you for joining us tonight. Tonights last word is next. Cra. What, really . Craig and shelia broke up . No, craig . What happened . I dont know. Is she okay . Craig and sheila broke up craig and sheila . As long as Office Gossip<\/a> travels fast, you can count on geico saving folks money. Craig and sheila broke up what . Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. Jushis local miracle ear t at helped andrew hear more of the joy in her voice. Just one hearing test is all it took for him to hear more of her laugh. And less of the Background Noise<\/a> around him. For helen, just one visit to her local miracleear is all it took to learn how she can share more moments with her daughter. Just one free hearing test could help you hear more. Laughter. Music. Life. Call now for your free hearing test from an Industry Leader<\/a> miracleear. Adults are just kids with much, much better toys. Introducing the 2018 cclass sedan, coupe and cabriolet. The thrills keep getting better. Lease the c300 sedan for 399 a month at your local mercedesbenz dealer. Mercedesbenz. The best or nothing","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"https:\/\/comparemela.com\/images\/vimarsana-bigimage.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240618T12:35:10+00:00"}