Transcripts For WRC NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt 20170517

Most important state night of all. Nightly news begins rights now. From nbc news world Head Quarters in new york. This is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening, there are several major developments breaking as we come on the air tonight related to the russia controversy swirling around the president t. Justice department has just appointed a special counsel to lead a new investigation into russian influence in the election and whether there was coordination with might bes of the trump campaign. The department naming former fbi chief Robert Mueller as special counsel. The decision abound to the growing pressure from capitol hill after the president s firing of fbi director james comey, who was leading his own russia investigation and the cascade of stunning developments that have followed in recent days. Justice correspondent Pete Williams has the breaking details from our washington newsroom. Pete, what do you know . Rte lester, after serving as the Deputy Attorney general for three weeks, Rod Rosenstein took himself out of overseeing the russia investigation, turning that over to Robert Mueller, saying the move is in the Public Interest so the public can have confidence in the outcome. Mueller is the former fbi director, he served 12 years in that job. He was actually held over two extra years before james comey became the fbi director. And next to j. Edgar hoover, mueller is the longest serving in that job. He will have the full authority to investigate the matter that any u. S. Attorney would. That includes the power to file criminal charges. Congressional democrats have been pushing for the appointment of a special counsel since rosenstein was confirmed and since attorney general Jeff Sessions took himself out of making any decisions about the investigation. Mueller is now 72. He took over as fbi director just a week before 9 11 and more recently, the nfl chose him to review its handling of the ray rice Domestic Violence case. He is now in private law practice here in washington, be going to resign from that firm to avoid any potential conflicts. So the immediate effect of this is to mean the investigation is going to take longer because mueller will have to get up to speed on the case. He can use existing department prosecutors to help him. He can ask to have others brought in from outside. No reaction yet tonight from the white house and Administration Officials tells nbc news that the White House Counsels Office was informed of muellers appointment after the order bringing him on was signed this afternoon, lester. Pete, does mueller have the authority to lead a truly independent investigation . Reporter well, we dont have independent counsel anymore like ken starr during whitewater. That law expired in 1999. So now we have these special counsel. They do have the right to do anything a normal federal prosecutor would do if he wants to expand the investigation, though, hell have to get permission from the Deputy Attorney general Rod Rosenstein. But it seems like at this point if mueller asor lester. Pete, thank you. There is another story break income washington involving comments reportedly made by a powerful republican about trump, putin and money. Lets go to our chief white house correspondent. Halle jackson, what can you tell us about that . Reporter lester, this is a potential explosive report that could do real damage between the relationship with President Trump and the washington leaders. The Washington Post is reporting that House Majority leader Kevin Mccarthy told republican colleagues quote i think theres two people putin pays, rohrbaker and trump referring to the now president and the congressman. When lawmakers laughed, mccarthy added, swear to god. The post says on that tape, ryan is we heard interrupting immediately saying, no leaks. This is how we know were a real family here. The comments made last year. Tonight mccarthy told nbc news, its a bad [000 04 58;00] speaker for speaker ryan said this entire yearold exchange was clearly and attempt at humor. No one believe thad anyone was seriously saying donald trump or any of our members were paid by the russians. Whats more, the team has spoken out against russian interference in our election and the house continues to investigate that activity. Thank you. The line is quickly forming in washington this evening. Congressional committees anxious to put james comey under oath to hear from him. Whether President Trump did, in fact, ask him to back off the Michael Flynn part of the russia investigation. The former fbi boss remain silent since the president fired him last week. But word of the memo multiple sources say was written by mr. Comey has triggered allegations of instruction and calls for impeachment. Kristen welker has the latest. Reporter lester, good evening the acting fbi director was here on capitol hill meeting with lawmakers when word of that special counsel br a louder to hear from his predecessor, james comey, including by the chairman of the House Oversight Committee Jason chaffetz, who wants a hearing next week. Tonight, three different congressional committees now demanding memos, recordings and clarity about the president s conversations with former fbi director james comey. The Top Republican in the house speaking out for the first time about the president s latest controversy. Our job is to be responsible, sober and focus only on gathering the facts. Reporter did you want to see comey testify in an open hearing . I will leave it to the committees doing these investigations. Reporter House Speaker ryan also saying he is still confident in the president when pressed by reporters as he walked out the door. Do you still have full confidence in the president . I do. Reporter and with some republicans now making comparisons to richard nixon. I think weve seen this movie before. I think its reaching the point where its of watergate size and impeachment for the first time. Michigan republican congressman justin amash never shy about criticizing his Ontario Party or mr. Trump, telling the reporters this morning, he sees grounds for impeachment if the comey memo is true. Earlier you said the president should be impeached if the comey comment is true. I have nothing further to add. Reporter do you upg the president obstructed justice . I have nothing further to add. Reporter they are largely standing be i the president. At this point i, you know, have not said anything that is that alarming. If you polled his supporters today, he will have roughly the same support as in the election. Reporter trying to chemicalize on the gop discord a democrat calling for impeachment on the house floor. I will not be moved. The president must be impeached. Reporter today reaction pouring in for trump voters in those districts, lincoln carolina. To see how he is pushing against the system that does have checks and balances for a reason. My opinion of him is quite different tan before. Reporter kenosha, wisconsin. Everything he does is getting picked on, pulled apart. Trump is always going to hold on to his true believers. The people that put him over the top are independents who wanted to shake things up in washington. And this may not be the way they imagined shakings things up. Reporter kristen welker, nbc news the capitol. Saving jitters on wall street. The dow plunging 372 points, its worst day since september. Is this the ends of the socalled trump bump and what does it mean for investors . Nbc correspondent stephanie rule joins us. What is behind this . Think a about the trumps rally. This was based on President Trumps pro business promises, tax reform, infrastructure, spending, de regulation. Where are they . Theyre hanging in the back. Right now all focus is on russia. Special prosecutor has been named. Were not talking about that agenda anymore. Think about President Trump and his administration, very wall street heavy. The market liked that. With the talk of the president being unhappy, maybe some shakeups. We dont know who will be left standing. The market likes predictability. They like stability. Those are two things we are not getting from the president right now. If you are an average small investor, this is not a time to do anything major. No changes. Its a hang tight, follow the news, but dont move around. All right. Goods to have you. Thank you. Turning overseas now where u. S. And european officials today began hammering out details of an expected ban on passengers carrying Laptop Computers or other devices on to any flight from europe to the u. S. It comes amid reports that isis has found a new way to smuggle bombs on to planes in personal electronics. Lets get more on this from nbcs tom costello. Reporter in brussels today the home lands sec trying to tell authorities of an escalating threat to aviation. Isis has blown a hole in the side of a plane over somalia and downed a russian jetliner over egypt. The discussion today, whether to ban passengers from bringing on board laptops, ereaders, tablets or dvd players. Already passengers arrive in the u. S. From ten airports from the middle east and in africa are required to check those devices in luggage which goes through better explosives screening. Now, the u. S. Wants to expand that ban to flights coming from europe to the u. S. For them to take steps to eliminate carryon laptops demonstrates to me that they believe that this is a credible risk. Its a significant risk and its imminent. Reporter but it could have a huge impact on anyone flying transatlantic. 426 flights across europe arrive in the u. S. Every day. According to travel website hopper. Com, thats 105,000 passengers a day. 15,000 of them besse and first class passengers many in coach use laptops on board. Now airlines are pushing back. Concerned it could lead to confusion with some passengers choosing not to fly. It could be a great inconvenience to all travelers. Especially business travelers. Because on these long flights you work all the time. Reporter tonight no agreement from brussels on the specifics of a laptop ban. The americans and europeans will meet again next week in d. C. And a formal rollout could be weeks away. Tom costello, nbc news, walk. Now to a deadly tornado outbreak that roared across the heartland carving a path of destruction,fell demolishing homes as families run for cover. Tonight that threat isnt over. Millions are on alert. Nbcs Jacob Rascone reports from the storm zone. Reporter in the heart of tornado aalley, on the ground. Pumm pummeling oklahoma. This family trying not to panic. Were all scared. Reporter rocky and linda, their daughter and her family cramming into this tiny scattered thunderstorm shelter installed annual last year. We did a little bit of praying. We only have each other. Reporter 100 homes damaged or demolished here. One of 26 tornadoes reported in 24 hours from the texas plains up through wisconsin where a trailer park nearly wiped off the map. The Trailer Court looks like it might have been leveled. Our officers, deputies and firefighters lifted parts of trailer homes off of people. Reporter two people died in that latest outbreak, a total of 34 tornadorelated fatalities so far this year, nearly twice as many in all of last year. The survivors the dining table went through this window setting out in th f their blessings. It can be fixed. It can be fixed. Reporter but the threat is not over. Tonight severe storms firing up from iowa into minnesota. Tomorrow 20 Million People at risk for isolated tornadoes, strong winds and damaged hail. Reporter the National Weather service says the tornado that hit here in oak city was at least an ef2. Winds speeds up to 135 miles an hour, Strong Enough to tear the rooves from this home or every other home in this neighborhood as they now gin to rebuild. Lester. Thank you. Still ahead, beating colon cancer. How a few steps can raise survivors chances of living longer, why they may want to go ahead and have that glass of wine with dinner tonight. 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John torres. Reporter for the first time, a study shows how stage 3 colon cancer survivors, like jeff moroso can improve theirds follow a healthy lifestyle. I have been pretty religious about doing all my exercise,. It makes a difference. Reporter nearly a thousand cancer colon survivors were studied for seven years. Those that followed lifestyle guidelines from the american cancer societies had a 42 lower risk of dying and a 31 lower chance of the cancer coming back. I think magnitude is the benefit. I dont think anyone appreciates how much better they might actually do. Reporter the guidelines are simple, get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Eat a diet rich in vegetables and whole grains, limit processed and red meat and a separate study found eating tree nuts twice a week or more helps patience live longer. One theory for how lifestyle can stop cancer. It helps your body metabolize energy better, keeps the glucose insulin levels low, which seems to be, provide kind of an environment that inhibits the growth of your cancer. Reporteno study, the role of alcohol. Just one drink per day for women and two per day for men lowered the risk of death even more by 51 . The study focused on colon Cancer Patients. Is this something all cancer parents should be thinking about . Based on the everyday we have today, i think it would benefit everyone. Reporter more than enough evidence to benefit survivors, now four years cancerfree. Dr. John troerz, nbc news san francisco. We are back in a moment with a soldier behind one of the largest Intelligence Leaks in u. S. History tasting freedom once again. Break through your allergies. Try new Flonase Sensimist allergy relief instead of allergy pills. Its more complete allergy relief in a gentle mist experience youll barely feel. 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Former president obama commuted her sentence as one of his final acts in office. Now to a violent melee caught on camera on whats known as embassy row in washington. A wild scene as protesters clashed with body guards from turkeys president who had just met with President Trump. Our chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell as the video and the fallout. Reporter you can call at this time body guard riot. Security men guarding turkeys president erdogan outside the embassy tuesday in one of washingtons fanciest neighborhoods. 11 people injured, two seriously. Two protesters arrested. Only blocks from former president obamas house and where ivanka trump and Jared Kushner live as well as secretary of state rex tillerson. Erdogans men wearing dark suits, stomping on victims. The police chief today. It appears to be unprovoked. It appears to be very brutal. Hours after President Trump rolled out the red carpet for turkeys strong man. It is a great honor to have president erdogan from turkey here. Reporter everyones crackdown on dissidence back home, including jailing 140 january journalists last year. None of it mentioned at the white house. Outrageous. We should stand for something, we should say that is not the way we do things in america. A dictator in turkey may do it. Its not the way you do it in america. Reporter tonight the state department is protesting to turkey t. Police chief says to responsible will be held accountable, but erdogans men have probably already left the when we come back in a in a moment, forget those over the top when we come back, forget those promposals. It all depends on the luck of the draw. Good chicken. I dont think ive ever tasted chicken like this. Blueberries and pumpkin. Wow. That was my favorite bite so far. Not even kidding. I mean that was. Oh spinach mmm. Thats like three super foods. Pretty, uh, well. Super. Now i got kind of a pumpkin, chicken thing going on. 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Ask your dermatologist about otezla today. Otezla. Show more of you. All umm. Ed. You wouldnt want your painter to quit part way, i think you missed a spot. So when it comes to pain relievers, why put up with just part of a day . Aleve, live whole not part. You want this color over the whole house . Weve done well in life, with help from our advisor, we made it through many market swings. But weve never been the type to just sit back. Not when weve got so much more to give when you have the right financial advisor, life can be brilliant. Ameriprise finally tonight, prom season is upon us. In the midwest, there is one high school where everyone gets a date. No one is left out. Its a rite of passage. As nbc Kevin Tibbles explains, its a part of a tradition that will you go to prom with me reporter in an era when asking a date to the prom can be extravagant to say the least. At the catholic high school, they take the time honored approach. Its kind of like being a part of one of the greatest traditions i think in probably all high schools. Reporter because for more than 90 years, in free port, illinois the young men and women have held a prom draw where each boy picks a girls name out of a raffle. Cayley lentz. Yeah reporter it began in the 1920s when people were poor and came from a nearby orphanage. They wanted to make sure those children experienced a wonderful night. Reporter since then the kids have always voted to keep the tradition alive. Its definitely something i dont ever forget. Reporter after picking a name the boys will perform a skit to reveal who the date will be. Reporter the best part, no one says no. Its harder to explain like the excitement thats in the room, but clearly everyone is sharing. Reporter they were prom dates in the 70s and remain friends to this day. It was difficult worrying about asking girls out and i might not have gone to prom but for the fact that there was a drawing. Reporter on this years big night, the tuxes and gowns are all perfect and so is the we all grew up together, to be able to do this with your friends, it really brings you closer together. Reporter here, everyones a king and queen. Kevin tibbles, nbc news, freeport, illinois. Reporter that will do it for us on a wednesday night. Im lester holt, for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night hollywood, is this the new man in taylor swifts life . Plus, we sure didnt see coming and the romance rumors that follow christie around. A rather highprofile politician. He was on the top of the world, then came trump. Jimmy fallon is telling all