C. As President Biden prepares to address the nation. Good evening from new york. Im chris hayes. I will be with my colleagues in washington. We are moments away from a very rare primetime Oval Office Address from the president of the United States. It comes amid a desperate situation in the middle east as the war there between israel and hamas enters its 13th day. Nearly 200 kidnapped civilians, including american citizens, are still being held hostage, some unaccounted for. Militants continue to fire rockets into israel, and israels missiles strike targets in gaza, a worsening humanitarian crisis leaving people with limited access to food, medicine, and clean water for more than a week. President biden just returned from israel. Its the second time for the president to visit an active war zone. He visited kyiv in february and tonight is expected to make an appealed to the American People to continue supporting ukraine and israel. Its likely to take billions of dollars in Military Assistance for the two countries in addition to 100 Million Dollars in humanitarian aid for gaza and the west bank. This comes as the white house continues efforts to help negotiate a safe return of the hostages, which biden has called his top priority. It also comes as attorney general Merrick Garland warned us of rising threats to arab, jewish, and muslim communities here in the u. S. We will have analysis and reaction afterwards. Lets hear from the president. Good evening, my fellow americans. We are facing an Inflection Point in history. One of those moments when the decisions we make today are going to determine the future for decades to come. Thats what id like to talk with you about tonight. Early this morning i returned from israel. They tell me im the First American president to travel there during a war. I met with the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet, and most movingly i met with israelis who had personally lived through the horror of the attack by hamas on the 7th of october. More than 1300 people slaughtered in israel, including at least 32 american citizens. Scores of innocents, from infants to elderly grandparents, israelis, americans taken hostage. As i told the families of americans being held captive by hamas, we are pursuing every avenue to bring their loved ones home. As president , there is no higher priority for me than the safety of americans held hostage. The terrorist group hamas Unleashed Pure Unadulterated evil on the world, but sadly the jewish people know perhaps better than anyone that there is no limit to the depravity of people when they want to inflict pain on others. In israel i saw people who were strong, determined, resilient, and also angry, in shock, and in deep pain. I also spoke with president abbas, the Palestinian Authority, and reiterated that the United States remains committed to the Palestinian Peoples right to dignity and selfdetermination. Terrorists dont take that right away. Like so many others, i am heartbroken by the tragic loss of palestinian life, including the explosion at the hospital in gaza, which was not done by the israelis. We mourn every innocent life lost. We cant ignore the humanity of innocent palestinians who only want to live in peace and have an opportunity. The assault on israel echoes nearly 20 months of war, tragedy, and brutality inflicted on the people of ukraine. People that are very badly hurt since putin launched his all out invasion. But not forgotten, the mass graves, the bodies found bearing signs of torture, rape used as a weapon by the russians, and thousands and thousands of ukrainian children forcibly taken into rushes, stolen from their parents, its sick. Hamas and putin represent different threats, but they share this in common. They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy, completely annihilated. Hamas says its purpose for existing is a destruction of israel in the murder of jewish people. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian People. Hamas uses palestinian citizens as human shields, and innocent palestinian families are suffering greatly because of that. Meanwhile putin denies ukraine has or ever had real statehood. He claims the soviet Union Created ukraine and, just two weeks ago he told the world that if the United States and our allies withdraw, if the United States our allies will withdraw as well. Military support for ukraine would have, quote, a week left to live. But we are not withdrawing. I know these conflicts can seem far away. Its natural to ask, why does this matter to america . So let me share with you why making sure israel in ukraine succeed is vital for Americas National security. History has taught us that when terrorists still pay a price for the terror, when dictators dont pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction. They keep going. And the constant threats to america in the world keep rising. So if we dont stop putins appetite for power and control in ukraine, he wont limit himself just to the ukraine. Putin has already threatened to remind, quote, remind poland that their western land was a gift from russia. One of his top advisors has called estonia, latvia, and lithuania, Russias Baltic provinces. These are all nato allies. For 75 years nato has kept peace in europe, and has been the cornerstone of American Security and if putin attacks a nato ally, we will defend every inch of nato which requires an calls for. Well have something that we do not seek, make it clear, we do not seek to have american troops fighting in russia or fighting against russia. Behind europe, we know that our allies, and maybe most importantly our adversaries and competitors are watching a response in ukraine as well. If we walk away and let putin erase ukraines independents, with the aggressors Around The World be emboldened to try the same . Its a risk of conflict and chaos could spread in other parts of the world. The endo pacific, the middle east, especially in the middle east, iran is supporting russia in ukraine, and it is supporting hamas, another terrorist groups in the region. It will continue to hold them accountable, i might add. United states and its partners across the region are building a Better Future for the middle east. One where the middle east is more stable, better connected to its neighbors, and to innovative projects like the india Middle East Europe Rail Corridor that i announced this year at the summit of the world s biggest economies. More predictable markets, more employment, less rage, less grievances, less war. It benefits the people, would benefit the people of the middle east and would benefit us. American leadership is what holds the world together. American alliances are what keep us, america, safe. American values are what make is a partner that other nations want to work with. To put all that risk and we walk away from ukraine, we turn our backs on israel, its just not worth it. Thats why tomorrow im going to send a congressman and urgent Budget Requests to find Americas National security needs to support our critical partners, including israel and ukraine, its a smart investment thats going to pay dividends for American Security for generation. Help us keep american troops out of harms way. Help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren. In israel we must make sure that they have what they need to protect their people today and always. The Security Package i am sending to congress and asking congress to, it is what it will sharpen israels qualitative military edge, which we have committed to. The qualitative military edge. Were going to make sure iron dome continues to guard the skies over israel. Were going to make sure other hostile actors in the region know that israel is stronger than ever and prevent this conflict from spreading. At the same time, when the president and i discussed again yesterday, the critical need for israel to operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as best they can, and the people of gaza urgently need food, water, and medicine. Yesterday, in discussions with the leaders of israel and egypt. I secured an agreement for the first shipment of humanitarian assistance from the United Nations to Palestinian Civilians in gaza. A masters not divert or steal this shipment, wheeler provided opening for sustained delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance for the palestinians. As i said in israel, as hard as it is, we cannot give up on peace. We cannot give up on a two state solution. Israel and palestinians deserve to live in safety, dignity, and peace. And here at home, we have to be honest with ourselves. In recent years too much hate has given too much acts oxygen, fueling racism, antisemitism, islamophobia. Right here in america. It is also intensified in the wake of recent events that led to the horrific threats and attacks that both shock us in break our hearts. On october 7th, Terror Attacks have triggered deep scars and terrible memories in the Jewish Community. Today, jewish families worried about being targeted in a school, wearing symbols of the facebook faith walking down the street, or going out about their daily lives. I know many of you in the Muslim American community, the arab american community, the palestinian american community, and so many others, are outraged, saying to yourself, Here We Go Again with islamophobia and distressed we saw after 9 11. Just last week a mother was brutally stabbed. A little boy, here in the United States, a little boy who had just earned six years old was murdered in their home outside of chicago. His name was widely her. A proud american. A proud palestinian american family. We can stand by when this happens. We must without equivocation denouncing antisemitism. We also without equivocation must denounce islamophobia. To all those of you hurting, i want you to know, i see you. You belong. I want to say this to you. You are all american. You are all american. This isnt a moment, in a moments like these, when fears, suspicion, anger, rage run hired, we have to work harder than ever to hold on to the values that make us who we are. We are a nation of religious freedom, freedom of expression. We all have a right to debate and disagree, without fear of being targeted in schools or workplaces are in our communities. We must renounce violence and vitriol, see each others not as enemies but his fellow americans. When i was in israel yesterday, i said that when americans experienced the hell of 9 11, we felt enraged as well. We saw it and got justice. But we made mistakes. I caution the government of israel not to be blinded by rage. And here in america, let us not forget who we are. We reject all forms, all forms of hate, whether against muslim, choose, or anyone. Thats what great nations do. And we are a great nation. On ukraine im asking congress to make sure we continue to send ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves in their country without interruption. So ukraine can stop putins brutality in ukraine. They are succeeding. When putin invaded ukraine, he thought he would take kyiv and all ukraine in a matter of days. Over a year later, putin has failed. He continues to fail. Kyiv still stands due to the bravery of the ukrainian people. Ukraine has regained more than 50 of the territory Russian Troops once occupied. Backed by u. S. Led coalition of more than 50 countries Around The World, all doing its part to support kyiv. What would happen if we walked away . We are the essential nation. Meanwhile, putin has turned to iran and north korea to buy Attack Drones and ammunition to terrorize ukrainian cities and people. From the outset i have said, i will not send american troops to fight ukraine. All ukraine is asking fors help for the weapons in the capacity, the capability to prove invading Russian Forces off their land. Their Defense Systems to shoot down Russian Missions before the destroy ukrainian cities. Let me close with this. Earlier this year i boarded Air Force One for a secret flight to poland. They, are i boarded a train, blacked out windows for a tenhour ride each way to kyiv, to stand with the people in ukraine, ahead of the one Year Anniversary of their brave fighting against putin. And im told i was the First American member of a war zone since president lincoln. With me, was just a small group of security personnel, and a few advisers. When i exited that train, president zelenskyy, i didnt feel alone. I was brining with me the idea of america. The promise of america to the people who are today fighting for the same things we fought for, 250 years ago. Freedom. Independence. Self determination. As i walk through kyiv with president zelenskyy, with Air Raid Sirens sounding in the distance, i felt something ive always believed more stronger than ever before. America is a beacon to the world. Still, still. Whereas my friend Madeleine Albright said, the indispensable nation. Tonight, there are innocent people all over the world who hope because of us. Who believe in a better life because of us. Who are desperate not to be forgotten by us. And are waiting for us. But time is of the essence. I know we have our divisions at home. We have to get past them. We cant let petty partisan angry politics get in the way our responsibilities as a great nation. We cannot and will not let terrorists like hamas and tyrants like putin when. I wont let that happen. Its at moments like these, we have to remember who we are. The United States of america. The United States of america. Nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together. My fellow americans. It President Biden has a very difficult rhetorical task. In just around 15 minutes, weve been together an argument on behalf of support of Ukrainian Military assistance and Israeli Military assistance. Weaving together those two conflicts as parallel, saying that each of those nations, ukraine and israel, face entities that want to annihilate neighboring democracy. He referred to the u. S. As the indispensable nation. He warned against the forces of antisemitism and told about the murder of a sixyearold palestinian american boy in illinois. Joining me now to talk about what we just heard are my msnbc colleagues joy reid, host of the reidout and jen psaki, host of inside with jen psaki. Jen, as someone who worked in a white house to a communications, that was quite a task he had in front of him. What do you think . I mean, first i think we should take a moment and recognize, Vladimir Putin is someone joe biden met with two years ago. And now he just compared him to hamas in his speech. Right . That is significant road putin has traveled. What also stuck out to me, chris, is that he continued to say, if we walk away. If we walk away. And the consequences. And what i heard there is him run in the public of the importance of this. He also said, terrorist, if terrorists dont play a price, if dictators dont pay a price, this will continue. So what i heard from him is just a reminder to the public of why this is so important for the United States to be engaged. Why the United States is an indispensable power, needs to be engage in these conflicts. I think it was very important, and i dont think its going to satisfy everybody who is hurting right now, and feels in pain right, now but that he talked about not just antisemitism. But also islamophobia. And those are two concerns also if weve seen grow of course across the country. Other a tricky verbal speech there. No question. But i do think, hopefully, what he did was remind people of the stakes here and also take it back to the domestic impact. He talks, joy, about, when he was talking about some of the things weve seen domestically. He talked about jewish families, and i am sure everyone has experienced this firsthand, worried about jewish day schools, worried about sending their children, worried about wearing yarmulkes and the straight after the days after the attack. He talked about the motor of in illinois, who was murdered by a man, and, right according to his wife and a sheriffs Statement Listening to conservative radio urging americans not to turn on each other. What did you think about that section of speech . This is the thing that joe biden does better than most politicians. The sort of empathy. And being able to relate and connect to the pain of very different communities. And i think he did that very well, as biden does, and talking about the pain of the Jewish Community who is terrified. They attack by hamas raised these fear that are ancient, in some ways, like decades. And at the same, time there is this little bow, at the six year old boy who didnt deserve to pay for that with his life. Hes just a child, and you, have you, know muslim and arab communities who are not just afraid, but theyre also angry. And in many incidents, theyre angry at him. This was a difficult tight rope for him to, walk because right now, a lot of muslim and arab communities are actually angry, not just about whats happening in gaza, and looking at the horrors there and the bomb that exploded near the hospital, theyre also angry at joe biden. And im not sure that his expressions of empathy to that much to degrade that anger, because it was difficult for him to pull this tightrope off describe two unlike conflicts. Everyone understands very clearly what russia is doing to ukraine. As he, said describing ukraine as being a gift that was given by russia. And they can take it back anytime. But these are not unlike. These are unlike conflicts, and the case of russia and ukraine, it is a country trying to annihilate a neighboring democracy. In the case of israel and the palestinians, this is a conflict taking place within one country. And the territories it occupies. And so these are not neighboring countries, in the middle east. It is israel and its occupied territories. It is an internal fight inside that country. And, you know, the issue of occupation was not brought up by President Biden. You know. Its difficult. There are not the same conflict. I, i think he did mention, we should say he mentioned talking to the president of the Palestinian Authority, which has no real role in gaza, controls the west bank. And saying he told a boss he supports essentially dignity and self determination, thats the phrase he used, for palestinians and hamas is evil attack did nothing to diminish but tara, point, joy and jen i think this is where the rubber hits the road and both these conflicts. If youre the best speech maker in the world, you are taking sides in both of them. And there are American Allies and there is going to be money and weaponry flowing, its gonna be a fair amount of money. Not in the context of the American Government budget, and by fact its basically around an error in the american budget, even in the defense budget. But in sheer dollar terms. So, on the both of the geopolitics of, this with an International Audience, and the domestic politics, theres a certain amount of straddling lets not really possible. That is true, and i also think a certain amount of things you can accomplish and a 15minute speech. And when i worked for President Biden, what i know of how he uses these moments and speeches and wards is he recognizes that hes going to have to play a role, and likely is behind the scenes right now, and encouraging netanyahu and the israelis, who he is stood behind publicly, very, very strongly, to exercise some caution. To exercise some consideration of civilians and civilian casualties. Hes going to need to use that leverage. That also may mean and i think likely means he could not get into details here about occupation or about the history of this conflict. Because he is still on a roll of playing chief diplomat. And the president of the United States. And as much as people want to hear those words and hear that recognition, i, mean some of these people who are leaving gaza have been refugees multiple times over. Right . Their grandparents have been refugees. The pain and suffering, the fact that people havent had a home is so visceral. But this wasnt the moment in the speech because he has to think about the role he has to play as president. There has been reporting on this about the sort of hug netanyahu strategy, right . That full and 100 public support. So as a means of whatever private conversations, back channels, whatever leverage there because nothing public is going to work. Although, he did reiterate, i think, the thing that you, and i agree with what i thought was the most significant thing he said about that 9 11 comparison. And he made to point about that which i thought were interesting and echoed things up in. Saying one, the sort of rage and the anguish and the grief leading to mistakes, thats the term he used. And also the fear of the kind of hysteria, trying to self censorship. A kind of heavyweight that hangs over discourse. That means that people either dont worry about what they say or they worry about their neighbors. Joy, i thought that was interesting. He himself used that touchstone in the speech, that was striking to me. Yes absolutely. This is probably the most difficult tightrope in the world with a president would have to wall. And trying to weave these to conflict together. Youre absolutely right. He talked about people, you, no need to be able to be america. And there is a sense of which biden is a nostalgic candidate. Trumps as well. Trump is a nostalgia for Supreme Court and a past. But bidens Nostalgia Politician too. Hes still refers to america as the essential nation. He still views america as the greatest peacemaker. And he still seems to believe that he can rhetorically call on americans to also be at Peace Rhetorically with each other. To be able to talk about this conflict and what it recognizes, as he, says we are all americans. Whatever our background, we are all the United States of america. Its the line he doesnt every one of his speeches. Its a difficult, because were in this movement were even joe biden is the moderate down the middle democrat who could possibly have been on it for democrats. Hes becoming divisive. But i think his continual call to return to this idea of United States of america and returned a civic dialogue is so vital. Joy reid and jen psaki, great to have you both. I appreciate it. Richard engel, chief Foreign Correspondent for nbc news, reporting tonight from jerusalem and has reported extensively from Ukraine Documenting the russian invasion. Good evening, richard. Im curious, as someone whos reported on these conflicts, and not just recently, going back years, what you thought of the speech . Well, i think there are big differences between this conflicts. Hes talking about, and obviously its a 15 minute speech, hes not going to get into the whole history of ukraine and the whole history of the israeli and palestinian conflict. And ukraine, its quite simple. The United States is working with nato, leading tonight, a part of nato. And theres uproar consensus, universal consensus, particularly in Eastern Europe that Vladimir Putin needs to be stopped. And that Vladimir Putin is trying to take over ukraine because he wants to connect russia to the Crimean Peninsula and he tried to take the whole country and now hes just trying to create a land bridge to connected to ukraine. Its a very simple story, easy for the United States not get involved, as long as that United States doesnt threaten Vladimir Putin directly, trying to unseat him from power. Both countries have nuclear weapons. They understand each other. Theres a whole history of the cold war. So there is that conflict. Here in the middle east, it is very different. Because prices bottom just not agree with his allies and the middle east on this one. That u. S. Has many more interest spread out across the region. It is much more vulnerable. Its much more likely to get drawn into this conflict. For the last week or so, weve been talking about the risk that this conflict could escalate into a middle eastern war. Its already happening. Were seeing hezbollah attacking the northern israel. Were seeing hamas obviously attacking israel. Were seeing syrian shia Militia Groups attacking u. S. Troops in syria. There was just an attack, also by shia Militia Groups, on a u. S. Base in iraq. U. S. Warships are already in the region. American military advisers are already here. And the Israeli Ground offensive, which could happen soon, has not even begun yet. And things could escalate soon. And then just earlier today, there are these missiles fired by a shia militia group, possibly fired towards israel, that the United States intercepted. So theyre not analogous conflicts. One, the u. S. , theyre both u. S. Allies. But one has a nato consensus and a broad backing of support. This one is much more divided. And the u. S. Is much more vulnerable and more likely to get pulled in. Thats really sound analysis. Im so glad we got a chance to talk to you tonight. Richard engel, thanks very much. Ronald klain served as white house Chief Of Staff and President Biden and he joins me now. I said at the top, last hour, these are extremely difficult issues, extremely difficult politics and diplomacy. But thats the job of president. How do you understand ronal klain the goal of tonights speech . I agree with me earlier before this page which is a time like this i say thank god joe bidens president , not donald trump. I thought that what so tonight was a safe and experienced president navigating some very difficult territory, doing so in a way that was persuasive and effective. I think he did everything he had to do in the speech. What unites the israeli conflict and the ukrainian conflict is that both need our support. The president into a funding bill from congress. Came into conflicts. Not a voting very persuasive another catch what he could need continuous support for ukraine. The alternative is allowing putin to take over ukraine. And who knows where goes from there. And whatever the Economic Cost of investing in defending ukraine, its cheaper than a geopolitical risk and potential gigantic cost of russian aggression unleashed in europe. Stopping putin in ukraine is a vital thing. He made the case for why its an Americas National interest. Its an important case to make. Because he has to get that funding bill for a very divided congress. He made very standpoint on israel. He reiterated his strong unambiguous condemnation of hamass brutal attack. Evil attack. And he made it very clear. He also made clear he has tremendous sympathy for the suffering of the Palestinian People. And whatever happens next, that has to be done in a wet minimizes civilian losses, civilian casualties. He powerfully tote about hate in this country. And both the jewish families fearful for their children going to school and for palestinian boy getting killed in illinois. And making it clear, hatred of all kinds is unacceptable in this country. He stands strong against, it we cant allow to happen. I thought it was a good speech, very well. Done for it well delivered. Very well executed. Making a lot of important points the American People needed to hear tonight. I want to follow up on his point about not 11. As of, it its something i think that haunts all of. Us for, maybe it was one of the fun word of experiences of my own political life and particular the aftermath. And particularly the saints that full and total consensus, and the wake of a horrific atrocity, it is natural and many ways. Utterly rational. Utterly justified for moral reasons. But can also lead to awful disaster. That the big lesson i learned. What do you say to people who fear we are going down the path again, and fear that the repercussions of what israel does there, over which we sort of dont really have control, there and independent nation, theyre reeling from this, could lead to the kind of cascade of events not unlike what we saw in what was dubbed the War On Terror and led to iraq . As Richard Engel indicated, this is obviously a very complicated area of the world. For a lot of it has been conflicts exist. And a lot of people with a lot of arms. And the potential the u. S. Military intercepted safely signals just how far this conflict could spread if its mismanaged. Thats what i think its very important to have President Bidens experience and wisdom at the helm in the white house. Look, i think that what the president s going to do is hes made very clear, whatever happens next has to be done in a measured and cheerful way. Obviously, the israelis are going to do what they do. But i think the president s senate every strong signal to the israelis that the Israeli Defense force, whatever the new and gaza had to be done that minimizes the harm to innocent civilians. The goal here is to stop hamas, which is killing innocent israelis and also innocent civilians in gaza as well. And so thats the goal. The goal is effective if we stop hamas without killing other innocent civilians. Thats the point he made very effectively. I should note, as of now, according to the tallies we have, and these are not independently confirmed numbers. There have been over 3000 civilian deaths, or over 3000 deaths and gaza. We cant know precisely who that is. That is before the Ground Invasion has started. There is obviously been a lot of civilian description there. Ron klain, thanks for joining us tonight. Thanks for having me. I want to turn to my colleague and friend, mehdi hasan, host of the mehdi hasan show on msnbc and peacock. As someone who grew up and thank in the uk and has spent time in Media Outlets not in the u. S. , im there is an International Audience here, its not like people are watching this over the world, but obviously what the american president says resonate throughout the world. Particularly this extremely intense tensions. And i wonder how you thought that speech landed, reflected through that perspective. Its a great question because he often forget about the rest of the world, given the provoking a Foreign Policy. President biden came to office, reminding everyone he had a lot of Foreign Policy experience. He knows world leaders, he has friends Around The World. While this crisis is showing us is a lot of arab leaders arent happy with. Him didnt want to meet with him. And we forget about the global south. We forget the rest of the world sees what we, so sees our double standards and doesnt like. Then we kind of Turn A Blind Eye to. Its interesting, he decided to do a rather bold Speech Linking Ukraine and israel because senior g7 diplomat spoke to the Financial Times this week and sit this content and got, that this war, it means the global south will never listen again. Theyre never going to listen to us about rules based orders. Will never get through to them. Because i see a double standard. Its interesting he did a whole thing about hamas and russia and looking them together, slightly axis of evil, putting them together. Because theyve really got little in common when you look at them. But a lot of the rest of the world would say if you look at ukraine and israel, biden and a lot of america may see ukraine and israel are on the same. A lot of people Around The World see russia and israel the same. They see russia invading another country and annexing land and dropping bombs on innocent civilians. And they say israel is really doing that and. Gazas role as the occupier of the west bank and gaza. That kind of stuff, i know we dont know about it here in the u. S. On television and in congress, im glad you asked. Because thats what the rest of the world is talking about. Thats what americas Foreign Policy is so popular, especially in the middle east. From my own view on this, which you can take relief, i think two parties, point they are very different conflicts along a million different axes. You can look at what the russians did in bucha for existence, this has now been essentially established, they went door by door killing children, torturing people. That does look like some of the things that hamas did at the same, time to air power, the vastly Different Air power, the bombing of civilians, i think youre right. Throughout world is being compared in exactly the other direction. Im curious what you thought of, again, there is 1 million different trip wires and tightrope shes walking here. He did talk about this sort of keeping the flame alive of palestinian self determination. Right . And i want to play the section where he talks about a twostate solution. Take a listen. I also spoke with president abbas of the Palestinian Authority and reiterated the United States remains committed to the Palestinian People to live with dignity and self determination. The actions of hamas dont take that there right away. What did you think of that . President biden was badly advised and his first couple of years and office by people in Foreign Policy circles who said dont worry about Israel Palestine, focus on the. Things focus on china, focus on high, one focus on other parts of the world. Then ukraine came along. Jake sullivan said the middle east is calmer now than any of my predecessors had to deal with. Well, Israel Palestine is kind of like covid. You may be over Israel Palestine, Israel Palestine is not over you. And now hes talking about the two that solution. Im glad he. Is of course were glad he is. But his allied with an Israeli Government that doesnt believe and the twos that solution. Netanyahus ministers are openly anti twostate solution. They are a pro annexation. So its slightly bizarre to say i talked to president abbas about to state, when the government youre writing a blank check for would talk about. It one coach of that for me. Tonight, there are innocent people Around The World hook because of us, who believe in a better life because of us, who are desperate not to be forgotten by us, and theyre waiting for us. I heard that line, and i thought, i wonder how the people of gaza feel tonight if they heard that line. Because they want. Hope they would like the United States true support her aspirations for freedom and south of domination. And a lot of palestinians say we just want the u. S. To support the principles they said they support. Let us have freedom, we are occupied people. Mehdi hasan, always good to talk to you. Thank you very much. There was a lot of other Important News today, including a new guilty plea from one of Donald Trumps allies and the republicans circle to elect a speaker, which believe me has like 90 twists and turns since i was left here but is somehow still in the same place, basically. Stay with us right, here will cover that next. Dont go away. It is day 16 without a speaker of the house and the republican conference still cannot agree on a candidate to fill the leadership vacuum. Tonight, after yet another day trying to get votes on capitol hill, congressman jim jordan of ohio is no closer to 217 votes he needs to win the gavel. On tuesday, as you may recall, the first round of voting, jordan received 200 votes, 12 fewer than democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries of new york. Yesterday, he tried again and suffered a net loss, winning the support of just 199 republicans. Then, for a brief period of time today, it looked like republicans including jordan were ready to move forward with a compromise plan. It would temporarily empower that man, speaker pro tem Patrick Mchenry of north carolina. That deal, though, apparently fell apart. Jordan went right back to work, lobbying support for third vote. We thought there might be a vote. He met with all 22 republican holdouts. And according to jake sherman of punchbowl news, ready for this . Every single one told him they would not back him for speaker. All of the tally is a capitol hill correspondent for msnbc news. David jolly a former republican in florida. Now ali, you are there today and if the covering. This i feel like theyve its a cliffhanger every 12 hours and a lot happens but in the end we end up in the same place. How did today unfold . You feel that, to . Chris i love doing the same live shot for you but 48 hours later. So, thats awesome. I will say that its like we are on this merrygoround, where republicans keep thinking theyre going to get close to doing we republicans keep taking are going to get close to doing something, and then all seems to fall apart . I think its the stunning thing about what we saw from jim jordan tonight was the fact that initially, youre, right there was a point today where we thought there was going to be something part of none to empower speaker pro tem mchenry. That ultimately fell apart. And after, that jordan went to meet with the 22 people who were current holdouts for him. The explanations of that meeting start to fall apart, depending on who you talk to. For jordan, it was a chance to speak to his detractors, see if theres a chance to get them on board. For the members leaving that meeting, though, some of them told or team in the hallway, this wasnt a meeting for jordan to try to change their minds, this was a meeting for them to try to change his. And get him to drop out. Not a good sign if youre trying to get someone on board for your speaker bid. And its what jordan wanted to buy himself the time by giving mchenry powers and living himself tried to steal couple together votes. Who is whipping who in this meeting, one might ask . David, one thing happening here is that i think is really interesting dynamic and worth paying attention to. We have now seen multiple members of the House Republican conference come out against work, and reporting, Security Concerns and get threats. Multiple. And speaking publicly and openly about this. Politico Sick Multiple member of the Talent Threats and other intimidation they face for opposing jim jordans speakership bid. Ken buck is not in the same category, i want to be clear about. That can buck say the landlord of his District Offices in colorado is booting him out. Thats democratic politics, he can do if he wants. The death threats, which have been part in parcel in public life, particularly at acutely and the trump era. For them to be speaking openly and about 1 to 8, but speaking about, it seems to be a little bit of a portrait moment. What do you think . Yeah, chris. Its very serious. A lot of republican members reported their child in Middle School head to have a sheriffs deputy assigned for the school. Another spouse said today slept with a loaded gun tonight because of some of the intimidation. Some of it is cross routes lone actor, right . Most of it is, probably. Its also important the theme of the conservative influencer. And also fox news and sean hannity, lets be honest about. This is where i think the one tool that jordan wantss time. Ali knows this very well. He wants him to continue getting to see fit 217. I dont think he has it. Its untenable. If none of the 22 are going to move, its a Vanity Project for jordan. I think he asked for the vote tomorrow because he cannot go into the weekend i havent moved a single vote. Because then he just taking time away from other possible speaker candidates, and he sucking the oxygen out of the conference. I think as much as jordans professing confidence, as much as fox news is going to come down on people tonight, those 22 maybe looking over their shoulders, i think this is a for jordan. I think tomorrows vote should be the last. But this is somebody who act by intimidation. Jim jordan, it doesnt work. These people had it work in two weeks. And all fairness, they take lots of resources. They took a recess at the week before. In all fairness, its a little luck when covid hit and everybody got told if youre essential or not essential. And its, like i guess im not essential. Maybe it doesnt really matter. But it does, because we hurtling towards a shutdown. The president addressing these packages. I keep wondering, ali, what is the way out . That mchenry thing was floated, and his understanding. I want you to tell me if i have this right. That jordan and other perjured republicans got onto that mchenry train with a thought being maybe you can do that to buy more time to win votes. And then it fell apart because he said he was going to stay in the speaker race. And everyone, in different directions, didnt let that arrangement. I think is my understanding. What do you think . My understanding was that industry link the, very tense gop conference huddled behind closed doors, the fact that jordan was staying in the race was reason enough for a good chunk of republican members to say that they wouldnt backup pro tem mchenry bid because they felt that once one seemed to undercut the other in some way. So initially what was meant to be jordan time saving and face if it mechanism ended up being not that at all. And i think it was really wear it to frankly cover the rise and fall of the resolution empower mchenry. Because as we reported, in the meeting, mchenry sort of such ever in, there if you try to get me to shoot first and ask questions later, if you try to make me bring something to the floor and test that limits of my power that i dont believe i have, ill quit. Youll figure out who the next person on mccarthys list was because it sure could be me. Thats a threat you can assert want when youre already looking for a permanent speaker and your temporary one is, like i will turn this car around. Such an important life lesson. Credibly saying ill quit has real leverage. I want to play what Kevin Mccarthy said about the tense, there was a lot of tension in that meeting. David, im going to play for you what mccarthy said about an exchange with matt gaetz. I was at the, mike i was speaking and matt gaetz went interrupt. I told him down. I told him to sit down. I think the entire conference screamed at him listen. The whole country, i think, would scream at matt gaetz right now. And hes right. But i wonder who is the guy who negotiated matt gaetz to make the motion able to be cold up with one vote. Mccarthy, thats right. Mccarthy thanked gaetz for his vote, gave him the keys to the house. The amount of vitriol and hatred and distrust in the republican conference is whats driving all of this. And heres a perfect example. Why that mchenry temporary solution. We always framed it is something that would need democrats. It doesnt mean democrats. Republicans quick to say, were going to open the floor for a few weeks under mchenry and pass a gop agenda on the budget and israel and ignore ukraine. They could actually do that. Theyre not even unified in that. And chris, i would like to, coming after the president speak, theres also a role now, a very public, role for Senator Schumer and senate democrats. We dont often talk about them as a political powerhouse. They have an opportunity now to respond to President Bidens address, keep moving forward, make a strong contrast with House Republicans and their dysfunction. Something in the senate, interesting. Thank you both very much. All right, tomorrow. The very first of the trials for Donald Trumps codefendants is set to begin with Jury Selection in Fulton County, georgia. And today, the ex president and his defense team got a very nasty surprise. As one of trumps most stalwart lawyers, the trial was meant to begin tomorrow, took a plea deal instead. Sydney powell vowed to, quote, release the kraken to help donald trump overturn the election. It was a key member of trumps legal team after the election, participated in the infamous Oval Office Meeting where stealing voting it machines was discussed. She just pleaded guilty to six Misdemeanor Counts of conspiring to intentionally interfere with performance of election duties. Sydney powell is the second of trumps original 18 codefendants to accept a plea deal. She was given a fine, six months probation, and intern she promis to, quote, truthfully testify at all hearings and proceedings and charles involving the codefendants. That presumably includes donald trump himself. Temidayo agangawilliams, a former federal prosecutor served as a Senior Investigative counsel on the january 6th committee. Melissa redmon served in the Fulton County district earns office for more than ten years. They both from a. Now melissa, first i want to go to. You we talked a lot about the georgia r. I. C. O. Law. We talked about how its more powerful even in the federal version. A lot of the things prosecutors from your office have said, and other folks have said, is it might start out with 20 codefendants and 19 codefendants, youre likely not going to go to trial with 19 because people will plead. What do you think was a difference is off todays plea . I think that is very true and people who are seeing it. Now anytime you stop with that many defendants, when its those at the bottom of the indictment, theyre likely to want to plead her case and not get caught up what those at the top of the indictment and subject themselves to that more lengthy sentence that will result from the Felony Conviction on a rico count. Being able to get out of this case with misdemeanors that may not be crimes that was one of the agreements. That may allow her to go along with her own life and practice, that will be up to the state bar of texas. But the prosecutors get someone in in a circle. She gets out with a very lenient sentence. And i think this is an indication of even more codefendants likely to see what they how can they get out. You just underlined something i want to also underline. Which is, i saw this temidayo, and i was, like this is a sweet deal. I dont care if people goes to prison. I think we put too many people behind bars in this country. It doesnt really matter. But cooperation matters. And what has just been put out as an incentive, this is plead guilty to six Misdemeanor Counts of eltion interference, a 2700 fine and restitution. An Apology Letter to the citizens of georgia. Testify and operating involving codefendants. The choice between atou see on your screen and a seven figure defense bill, maybe, somewhere in the neighborhood, and maybe prevent time. That seems a nobrainer. It definitely is a nobrainer. But i think whats interesting about Sydney Powell is that shes really not a lowlevel person in the grand scheme of the general six story. I think thats whats making her plead guilty and so early. If you recall, she sought a speedy trial. It was her decision to be facing counterattack next week. I think whats going to be really critical here is that so early in the case, fani willis has now correct the trump inner circle. Sheena has someone who spoke with the former president directly. She has someone who can get on the stand and testify as to what the former president said. And whats going to be really critical, i, think before this portal story, is that as you noted, december 18th, Sydney Powell was at the white house with the president. And the next morning, after this meeting that burst out into arguments with the white house lawyers want the socalled crazies out, the former president tweets out his be there, well be wild tweet. After this meeting with Sydney Powell, what does he do . He gets on twitter and he calls millions of people, all his followers to, come to d. C. Because he wants it to be wild. Shes gonna be offer insight into what hes thinking, what are you saying in that meeting, what was the State Of Mind in terms of how to overturn that election and how that plays and with the rally on the six. The Washington Post aaron blake writing exactly about this. What could she testify to . Washington post reporting and georgia indictment described as top of seizing voting machines, having the National Guard rerun the election and even appointing powell as a Special Counsel to investigate voter fraud. Giving her actual Special Counsel doj duties, she could talk about all that. I also have to say, melissa, temidayo just talked about the speedy trial a little bit of bluff and bluff colleen, that Sydney Powell and kind of chesebro said they want trials, and really speedy, like six weeks from now. And willis obviously said, okay, bet, lets do it. And now youve got a plea from one, but chesebro apparently has rejected his plea, and that trial is gonna start. Yeah, that Jury Selection is going to begin tomorrow. And weve heard from chesebros attorney in the past that that was part of their strategy. They wanted him at the table by himself, and thats exactly whats going to happen. We should say the. Theres reporting that rejected plea deal, temidayo, that they would plead guilty to a single racketeering charge, which is not what Sydney Powell did. Agreed to testify against the other total codependent in the case including donald trump, paid0,000 dollar fine, in addition to writing a letter of apology. And in return, chesebro wouldve been sentenced to three years of Probation Eligible to expunges record when was complaining, assuming he did not violate any terms of the probation. That seems to me a fairly good deal, if im sitting in his shoes, but hes not. What do you expect to see from Jury Selection in this trial . Well, i think its time for his lawyers to put up or shut up. This is what hes wanted. They whoever then the plea deal tells me hes fully committed to tracking this all the way. Hes gonna have his chance. I think what im looking forward to in that Jury Selection, hes obviously going to be looking for the markers are proxies of a more conservative jury, people who are going to be more inclined to have the same political leanings. And frankly, as a former prosecutor, you know exactly, and thats how it worked, so i think thats what were gonna be looking for. Whats gonna be get interesting is when we get to that evidence when its televised for the American People to see. And im really curious to see what is fani willis going to put up, because she doesnt have to put up her whole case. She may not want put out a whole case. She may not want to. She may be saving things, frankly, for the former president , but im going to be interest today see how expansive she gets in the evidence she puts forward. Thank you both for joining. Appreciate