Were there any mistakes in that. Wait, wait, wait. How many times do i have to answer this question . I do get good ratings pup have to adm that. This is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. History. But the media, he said, are blinded to that by hate. Over the hour and 15 minutes, mr. Trump defended mike flynn, the National Security adviser he fired. He said alleged contacts between his campaign and russia are a ruse, and he bent history out of shape with a boast about the election. The president quoted an Approval Rating of 55 , but most other polls, like this from pew research, generally agree its lower. Our coverage of a remarkable event at the white house begins with Major Garrett. Mike flynn is a fine person, and i asked for his resignation. Reporter President Trump did not criticize his former National Security adviser for discussing u. S. Sanctions against russia in phone calls he had with russias ambassador during the transition. Instead, the president said he fired flynn for lying to Vice President pence about those i dont think he did anything wrong. If anything, he did something right. He was coming into office. He looked at the information. He said, huh. Thats fine. Thats what theyre supposed to do. The thing is, he didnt tell our Vice President properly, and then he said he didnt remember. So either way it wasnt very satisfactory to me. Reporter it is a potential violation of the law for a private citizen to conduct u. S. Foreign policy. The president said he did not instruct flynn to discuss sanctions with the Russian Ambassador. I didnt direct him, but i would have directed him because thats his job. Reporter the president blamed the Intelligence Community for leaking classified information about the contents of flynns communications. Ive actually called the Justice Department to look into the leaks. Those are criminal leaks. Reporter and mr. Trump lashed out at the media. The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake. Because so much of the news is fake. Its so important to the public to get an honest press. The press the public doesnt believu now, maybe i had something to do with that. I dont know. But they dont believe you. Reporter the president did acknowledge recent news reports about russian provocations. You mentioned the vessel, the spy vessel off the coast of the united states. Not good. Reporter there wasave missile test many interpreted as a violation of the agreement between the two countries and a russian plane buzzed a u. S. Destroyer. Is mr. Putin testing you, do you believe, sir gidont think so. I think putin assumes he cant make a deal with me anymore because politically it would be unpopular for a politician to make a deal i cant believe im saying im a politician but i guess thats what i am now. It would be much easier for me to be tough on russia but then were not going to make a dealey. Reporter do they damage the relationship no ill see what happens. Reporter this countrys ability to work with russia . It happened recently and i understand what theyre doing. Theyre doing the same thing now, again, maybe im not going to be able to do a deal with russia but at least i tried provocations . Im not going to tell you anything about the response i do. I dont talk about military response. When you ask me, what am i going to do with the ship, the russian ship, as an example, im not going to tell you. Hopefully i wont have to do anything, but im not going to tell you. Reporter the president s pick to replace flynn is retired vice admiral Robert Harward turned down the position after the white house refused to replace staff on the n. S. C. Hired by flynn. He named Alexander Acosta his second nominee to lead the Labor Department. Pelley Major Garrett at the white house. Thank you, major. The president said he has ordered an investigation into who leaked classified information to the media in the flynn affair. He blamed obama holdovers in the intelligence agencies, but this kind of information is also circulated in congress and the white house. Mr. Trump, who once invited russia to hack and leak hillary clintonsil leakers would pay a big price. Jeff pegues has more on the russia investigation. Can you say whether you are aware that anyone who advised your campaign had contacts with russia during the course of the election . No, nobody they know of. Reporter President Trump was asked by three reporters if any of his Campaign Staffers were in regular contact with russian operatives during the election. He denied any connections to the kremlin andis dmissed the investigation. Russia is a ruse. I have nothing to do with russia. Havent made a phone call to russia in years. Reporter the f. B. I. Counterintelligence unit is investigating whether the Trump Campaign coordinated with the russian government to undermine the candidacy of hillary clinton. That accusation is found in a 35page dossier compiled by a former british spy. It singles out former Campaign Chairman paul manafort, and Foreign Policy adviser carter page. In an interview page acknowledged traveling to russia close to 100 times since 1991. But he denied working with the russian government. Ive only said hello to a few russian officials over the course of the last year or so. Reporter manafort has also denied any inappropriate contact with russian officials. Last fall, u. S. Intelligence agencies concluded that russia had carried out a series of cyberattacks targeting Democratic Party computer networks. Hacking is a very hard thing to prove. So it could be somebody else. Reporter for months, President Trump refused to agree with the Intelligence Communitys assessment, but today in brussels, mr. Trumps defense secretary endorsed the conclusions. Right now, i would just say theres very little doubt that they have either interfered or they have attempted to interfere in a number of elections in the democracies. Reporter the complexity of u. S. Russia relations was on display today when the chairman of the with his russian counterpart to discuss the fight against isis. Scott, that russian general is considered to be the mastermind of those electionrelated cyberattacks. Pelley jeff pegues tonight. Jeff, thank you. Mr. Trump also said he will issue a new travel ban next week. His earlier, temporary ban on all refugees and on citizens of seven predominantly muslim countries is blocked in court. Today, the president listed about 20 president ial orders that he says the media wont cover. We have covered them, and chip reid has found that not all of them are what they seem. I dont think theres ever been a president elected who in this short period of time has done what weve done. This administration is running like a finetuned machine. Reporter democratic senator dick durbin says that is wildly off the mark. Every new administration has its growing pains, but his. He had to dismiss his acting attorney general. He faced an executive order which was rejected by three different federal courts. And then he had to take the resignation of his National Security adviser. Thats never happened to any president in history. Finetuned machine . Off to a pretty rough start. Reporter the president complained that congress is block him. I cant get my cabinet approved. Reporter but democrats say his cabinet nominees so controversial, they deserve to be blocked, or at least delayed. One, Labor Department nomine noe andrew puzder, withdrew his name just yesterday. On the economy to be honest, i inherited a mess. Reporter in fact, he inherit an Unemployment Rate of less than 5 . By contrast, president obama inherit an economy in the deepest recession since the great depression. On foreign affairs, mr. Trump bragged about early progress. Weve already begun enormously productive talks with reporter but his calls with the leaders of taiwan, australia, and mexico may have resulted in more controversy than success. Some of the president s executive orders have been little more than symbolic statements. For example weve stood up for the men and women of law enforcement, directing federal agencies to ensure they are protected from crimes of violence. Reporter and as for the wall on the southern border i met with general, now secretary kelly, yesterday, and were starting that process. Reporter theres no new funding from congress, and no plan to get mexico to pay for it. President trump was asked by reporter april ryan today if he was going to work with the Congressional Black Caucus on his urban agenda. The president then asked ryan, who is african american, if she wanted to help set up a meeting. Later today, the white house thought better of it and decided to reach out to the c. B. C. On its own. Scott. Pelley chip reid on capitol hill. Thanks. Dickerson is joining us now from the set of face the nation. John, there was something you noticed today about the president repeating that his National Security adviser had done nothing wrong. Thats right. The Michael Flynn episode is about what penalty there is for not telling the truth in the trump administration. And today we got about the fourth explanation from the president on what his relationship was with Michael Flynn. The president said flynn had to resign because the former National Security adviser had lied to the Vice President about a conversation flynn had with the Russian Ambassador. But the president was fuzzo what flynn had lied about. The president suggested that flynns conversation with the ambassador was awe no big deal outreach that takes place during a transition. Mike was doing his job. He was calling countries and his counterparts. So it certainly would have been okay with me if he did it. I would have directed him to do it if i thought he wasnt doing it. I didnt direct him. But i would have directed him but that was the original story. The reason this became a firing offense is that flynn lied about talking to the Russian Ambassador about sanctions. The Obama Administration had issued in retaliation for russian meddling in the election, possibly undermining u. S. Foreign policy. When the Vice President asked him about the conversations with the Russian Ambassador, flynn said he had not talked about sanctions. Thats why he was asked to resign. But as the president described what happened, he wasnt clear about that. Pelley and critically, those conversations happened before the president was inaugurated when flynn was still a private citizen. Now, the president can do very little Going Forward without the support of congress. How do you think congress viewed this News Conference . The president loves to play to a room, even its a room full of reporters, and today was the president getting back to the oldtime religion, what worked for him on the campaign, the freewheeling, the pingponging with the press, the rid ciewlg of his opponent, even though he doesnt have one at the even did some impersonation. But the problem for the hill is the republicans fear that the president , while he has lots of power with the grass roots, what makes them anxious is his unpredictability and his lack of focus. They need him to be specific and push a specific message even when thats sometimes a complicated message. And todays performance doesnt dnt necessarily show he could do that. Pelley john dickerson. Well see you sunday on face the nation. And today, the president made a claim about the size of his electoral victory, a claim that wasnt remotely true. You said today that you had the biggest electoral margin since Ronald Reagan with 304, 306 electoral votes. In fact, president obama got 365 and well, im talking about republican, yeah. President obama 330, george h. W. Bush, 426, when he won as president. So why should Americans Trust i was told i was given that information. I dont know. I was just given. We had a very, very big ma should Americans Trust you when you accuse information of being faked. I dont know. I was given that information. Actually, ive seen that information around. But it was a very substantial victory. Pelley substantial, but not quite as substantial as the president said. Mr. Trump claimed 306 electoral votes. Well, two republican electors in texas went rogue. He only got 304. Three states put mr. Trump over the top, and his margin of victory in those three states combined was more than 77,000 votes 77,000 out of a total of 129 million cast nationwide. And finally, there was one other reason for the News Conference. Today, the moment it was over, mr. Trumps team went online with a fundraiser saying, i cant do it alone. I need you by my side to get the coming up next on the cbs evening news, immigrants walk off the job to send the president a message. And later, a sports heros secret connection to a civil rights icon. Well, when you have copd, it can be hard to breathe. It can be hard to get air out, which can make it hard to get air in. So i talked to my doctor. She said. Symbicort could help you breathe better, starting within 5 minutes. Symbicort doesnt replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Symbicort helps provide significant improvement of your lung function. Symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It should not be taken more than twice a day. Symbicort contains formoterol. Medicines like formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. Symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. You should tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking it. Symbicort could mean a day with better breathing. Watch out, piggies reathe better starting within 5 minutes. Get symbicort free for up to one year. Visit saveonsymbicort. Com today to learn more. Come close, come close. I like that. [ all sounds come to a crashing halt ] ah. When your pain reliever stops working, your whole day stops. Awww. Try this. For minor arthritis pain, only aleve is fda approved to work for up to 12 straight hours with just one pill. Thank you. Come on everybody. Aleve. Live whole. Not part. I discovered a woman my family tree, named marianne gaspard. So i took the ancestry dna test to find out more about my african roots. Ancestry really helped me fill in a lot of details. America were closed today when Migrant Workers walked off the job to demonstrate their worth. Jericka duncan has this. Reporter hundreds took to the streets of washington today with one clear message were not bad people. We want to work. We want to pursue the american dream. Reporter those words were echoed across the country as thousands rallied from chicago to raleigh to minneapolis, and scores of businesses, including restaurants, were shuttered. It was all in solidarity with imMigrant Workers who say President Trumps deportation policies threaten their livelihoods and their future in a third of American Service jobs are held by undocumented workers. Over 2 Million Immigrants work in the Restaurant Industry alone. Every business on this street is generally open. None of them are today. Reporter ben miller from pennsylvania and his wife, cristina martinez, who came here illegally from mexico, own el compadre in south philadelphia. Today, they kept doors closed. Do you think taking one day off really makes a difference . This is, like, just flexing. Reporter in other words, you want to just show the muscle. Reporter the major impact it could have by one day . Thats right. We support workers. We support protection for workers, for everyone thats work. Reporter nearby, labor too restaurant is operating with limited staff. Owners say they understand why workers like Josselin Bautista took the day off. If we dont work, how hard we work every single country is not going to be the same. Reporter organizers here in philadelphia say at least 80 restaurants shut down or had limited service because of the day without immigrants protest. Scott, another event is being planned already for may 1. Pelley jericka duncan, and well be back in a moment. I take movantik for oic, opioidinduced constipation. Had a bad back injury, my doctor prescribed opioids which helped with the chronic pain, but backed me up bigtime. Tried prunes, laxatives, still constipated. Had to talk to my doctor. She said, how long you been holding this in . laughs that was my movantik moment. My doctor told me that movantik is specifically designed for oic and can help you go more often. Dont take movantik if you have a bowel blockage or a history of them. Movantik may cause serious side effects, including symptoms of opioid withdrawal, he stomach or intestine. Tell your doctor about any side effects and about medicines you take. Movantik may interact with them causing side effects. Why hold it in . Have your movantik moment. Talk to your doctor about opioidinduced constipation. If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. The market. Redict but through good times and bad. At t. Rowe price. Weve helped our investors stay confident for over 75 years. Call us or your advisor. T. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. I thought i neededgled cigarettes to cope. I was able to quit smoking, and then i started running. Now i feel a lot better. announcer you can quit. For free help, call 1800quitnow. If you have moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis isnt it time to let the real you shine through . Introducing otezla, apremilast. Otezla is not an injection, or a cream. Its a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. Some people who took otezla saw 75 clearer skin after 4 months. And otezlas prescribing information has no requirement for routine lab monitoring. Dont take otezla if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Otezla may increase the risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Onitor your weight and may stop treatment. Side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ask your dermatologist about otezla today. Otezla. Show more of you. Pelley an illegal immigrant from mexico was sheltering in a church in denver to avoid deportation. Jeannette vizgaira entered the u. S. 20 years ago. In 2009, she was convicted of using a fake Social Security number to get work. She was allowed to stay while she appealed, but under new rules from the trump administration, now she must go. She said, this is not just an attack on me. Its an attack on the entire immigrant community. The church says shes welcome to stay. Today, the president s bill that canceled an Obama Administration rule that protected streams from coal mining waste. The president called it a job killer. But the Nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said the regulation would have created as many jobs as it eliminated. Mr. Trump has pledged to bring back coal mining. Coming up next, a Hometown Heros secret act of kindness. Osteoporosis and a high risk for fracture. I can tell you prolia® is proven to help protect bones from fracture. But the real proof . My doctor said prolia® helped my bones get stronger. Are your bones getting stronger do not take prolia® if you have low blood calcium, are pregnant, are allergic to it, or take xgeva®. Serious allergic reactions, such as low Blood Pressure; trouble breathing; throat tightness; face, lip, or tongue swelling; rash, itching or hives have happened in people taking prolia®. Tell your doctor about dental problems, as severe jaw bone problems may happen, or new or unusual pain in your occurred. Prolia® can cause serious side effects, including low blood calcium, serious infections. Which could require hospitalization; skin problems; and severe bone, joint or muscle pain. Only prolia helps strengthen and protect bones with 2 shots a year. I have proof prolia® works for me. Can it work for you . Ask your doctor about prolia® today. I have agerelated maculare degeneration, amd, he told me to look at this grid every day. And we came up with a plan my risk of progression, including Preservision Areds 2. My doctor said Preservision Areds 2 has the exact nutrient formula the National Eye Institute recommends to help reduce the risk of progression of moderate to advanced amd after 15 years of clinical studies. Preservision areds 2. Because my eyes are everything. Pelley we end tonight in detroit with a funeral was held today for Hometown Hero mike ilitch. Mr. I. , as he was known, died last week at the age of 87. He was a billionaire who gave a lot to his city, sometimes in ways that no one knew. Heres jim axelrod. Reporter as the line of mourners in downtown detroit made perfectly clear, the city just lost someone very special. I think mr. Ilitch was the most significant person in detroit. He was detroit. He loved detroit. Reporter mike ilitch built a billiondollar pizza empire with little ceasars, owned the detroit tigers, and won four stanley cups with the red wings. By all accounts, kind and philanthropic, it turns out as good as ilitch was, he was actually even better. Something i didnt expect. Reporter that is rosa parks. Yes, the rosa parks, an american icon. After the bus boycott in montgomery, she moved to detro detroit, where in 1994, a man broke into her home, beat, and robbed her. Damon keith is a federal judge and knew both mike ilitch and rosa parks. I said, mike, i dont want rosa parks going back to that bad neighborhood. Reporter so ilitch helped arrange for her to move to a much nicer apartme a sent checks like this one for the next 11 years, paying rosa parks rent for the rest of her life. He just believed in helping people. Reporter its only coming to light now after his death because mike ilitch never said a word about it when he was still alive. There are people of wealth in this country who are still concerned with the underprivileged and those who are deprived. Reporter rosa parks taught us all about dignity and resolve, and when she needed help, along came another teacher with a powerful lesson of his own the purest form of giving is when no one knows your name. Jim axelrod, cbs news, new york. Pelley you can do a lot when you dont care who gets the credit. Soos the cbs evening news for tonight. For all of us at cbs news, all around the world, good night. Have you tried the tissue test . Question, are my teeth yellow . Ugh, yellow. What do you use . Crest whitestrips crest 3d whitestrips whiten. 25 times better than a leading whitening toothpaste i passed the tissue test. Oh yeah. Crest whitestrips are the way to whiten i. Prilosec otc 7 years ago,my doctor recommended. 5 years ago, last week. Just 1 pill each morning, 24 hours and zero heartburn. Its been the number 1 doctor recommended brand for 10. Straight years, and its still recommended today. Use as directed. Right now on off script, what would america look like without immigrants . Today, we got a taste as restaurant workers decided to stay home. But first, National Security adviser Michael Flynn is accused of lying to the fbi. The Washington Post reports he denied to the fbi he discussed u. S. Sanctions against russia with the countrys ambassador to the u. S. Lying to the fbi could bring a felony charge. The president today held a combative News Conference with white house reporters. President trump said his administration inherited a mess. He listed his grievances against the news media and defended his National Security adviser. To be