Republican senators like Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley appearing to give the president permission to get rid of his Attorney General but theres another way to look at it which is that they seem to be trying to say any action off until after the midterm elections and the confirmation of judge kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and the question is are they telling the president he should get rid of Jeff Sessions or hoping they can slow walk this until things calm down but if youre bob mueller you see november as a day on the calendar that to get your job done before just in case. So susan in his punchback Yesterday Yegs Listjeff session the litany of things he had been leading that were on point with what the president wanted, from enforcing immigration laws, focusing on ms13, the gang, promoting economic growth, et
cetera, et cetera. Do the practice not assuage the president at small i know he thinks that hes not going after the president s political opponents but hes executing many of the president s policies. Jeff sessions has been a remarkably effective Attorney General on substantive issues but not on the issue donald trump cares the most about, the russia investigation. Some of the things Jeff Sessions has done are controversial in imposing the trump agenda but that Doesnt Matter because President Trump is focused first and foremost on this information. We shouldnt lose sight of what a remarkable day yesterday was. President trump attacking the Attorney General, the Attorney General having a public bedate with the president of the United States insisting hell shield the Justice Department from political interference. I dont think weve seen that happen before. Minds. Yes the president has the ability to have the people he wants in top positions but 23 it becomes a loyalty test and becomes Political Support of the president or investigations of the other side, the president will either have a hard time finding a new Attorney General or getting the new Attorney General confirmed and you can imagine if that played out now how damaging that could be on the elections and the prospects for judicial confirmation. So listen to this. Last night i had on an attorney and friend of Jeff Sessions for the better part of three deb kads a decades and i asked him about the likelihood Jeff Sessions would walk away. Listen. I believe jeff believes in the Heart And Soul of the department of justice. I know this is probably his dream job because he has an opportunity to impact so many lives and i dont think he would
voluntarily step aside. I dont think that is part of the makeup of Jeff Sessions. Susan, do you agree . Is this someone who will have to be fired . If Jeff Sessions was going to resign because donald trump wanted him to that would have happened already. The president has ridiculed and demeaned him. Jeff sessions has not been the Attorney General many people expected him to be when he was named. Hes turned out to be a much more independent figure. Thank you both, susan page, margaret, preappreciate you bei here. Now to the president s long time friend and the head of the National Enquirer david pecker flipping. Abby phillip is back with more. The two of these men, you cannot overstate how close they were. There was one point president president said the National Enquirer should win the
pulitzer prize but david pecker flipped . Tlart. Its a Big Development but it adds to what we already know about the Michael Cohen case which is that cohen pled guilty to committing crimes during the campaign and he claimed President Trump was aware of it and that he was a collaborator in that effort. Now were learning according to the Wall Street Journal and vanity fair that david pecker has gotten immunity in exchange for his cooperation with prosecutors. Cooperation that amounts to his corroboration of Michael Cohens story. Where now this is huge. David pecker is a close friend of the president s. This relationship in which pecker would help him handle his private affairs and kill bad stories has been a feature of their relationship for some time. Now its ruptured. This is in addition to what we
know about this situation according to the Associated Press that the National Enquirer had a physical safe that kept these bad stories and documents related to payments to women who were alleged to have affairs with President Trump in a physical safe so there is potentially a trove of evidence that prosecutors may have access to and now the president has one fewer friend in this fight. It could be why we heard President Trump talking about flippers. He said it should be outlawed, flipping in a case like this, giving prosecutors in exchange for leniency. We could be seeing why the president is so annoyed and angry about that situation. Abby phillip at the white house, thank you. The names is reporting the Manhattan District Attorneys Office may look into possible
criminal charges against the Trump Organization. I know the manhattan d. A. s office hasnt decided yet. What are they looking at . Theyre considering looking at whether the Trump Organization accounted for how they reimbursed Michael Cohen when he paid 130,000 to Stormy Daniels so it would be an investigation into their books and records. But didnt the pay say jog my memory. Remember in the Smoke Statement fr fromhe said it wasnt the Trump Organization that paid me back and didnt the president say it was his money . Or they asked about Karen Mcdougal . The president put in a Financial Disclosure form that he reimbursed Michael Cohen and what we learned from the charging document this is week that Michael Cohen pled guilty to is that the money came from
the Trump Organization. Came from a trust. Its a little murky and the Trump Organization isnt explaining why the money came from the trust. And what could be significant is that if these charges are brought this would be on the state level and the president cannot Pardon Anything on a state level. Right. Thats the thing. Theres no federal pardon. The president could not pardon anyone and the d. A. s office is also investigating Paul Manafort so even if there are rumblings that is the president considering pardoning Paul Manafort, the same d. A. s office has an investigation into him. They are lingering in the backdrop that if Paul Manafort was charged we could see the statement there, too. Kara, thank you for the worthing. Appreciate it. Ahead, what does pecker know . A closer look at the president s longtime friend turned flipper
and why one former employee of the National Enquirer who worked closely with david pecker said he never thought his boss would have flipped on the president. Plus the president better watch about the pardons because with the pardons, that he does that, it looks like it was set up by him. What do voters think about the president s wild week . Youll hear from many of them. And indicted congressman Duncan Hunter seeming to suggest his wife is to blame for a quarter of a million s in misused Campaign Funds. They both pleaded not guilty to those accusations. There are ont to take advantage of great deals like zero percent financing for sixty months on the built ford tough f150. So hurry and save big on ford, americas bestselling brand. Get zero percent financing for sixty months plus twentyeight hundred bonus cash on a 2018 f150 xlt
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david pecker, you were a Media Reporter for 25 years, he and the president were so close. Vanity fair quotes one of the president s saying holy s, i thought pecker would be the last one to turn. And last night i spoke with stu zakim who used to run communications for his company, heres what he told me. You never thought he would turn . Never, but when it comes to david pecker the most important thing to him is business. It supersedes friendship and loyalty. How worried should the president be . We dont know the things he has covered up for the president. He was courted by trump. Trump enjoyed being in tabloids and used them to build his own reputation in new york. We dont know the things he used pecker to bury. We know he has a safe full of
things. Pecker may have vulnerability in this case and he may want to give evidence that will protect him and thats what caused Michael Cohen to turn. The safe thing is like wow. If there is a physical safe out there as the Associated Press is reporting, investigators have to be looking for it right now or have it. Its amazing. In all my years as a federal prosecutor i never had a witness who told me he had a safe full of evidence. Ever. And you helped prosecute john gotti. Thats right. Ive had plenty of best friends. Ive had sons testify against fathers and fathers testify against sons but none brought a safe of evidence so it is amazing and not surprising a friend would turn but its amazing. Can we talk about where the legal line is . I read interesting analysis that the first emt gives The Press Wide Latitude but there may have a legal line stepped over here by ami in terms of whether what it did was a direct campaign contribution. I think the legal line is if this company or mr. Pecker knowingly took steps to make the payment look like it was coming from somebody else or being used for something else, that crosses the line. They can buy the story. What they cant do is make it look like somebody else paid for it or that they arent burying the story. Michael cohen said under oath in court this this arrangement between me and ami was for the principle purpose of influence the election so if authorities believe him and he does have
credibility issues that can be problematic. A former staffer for Peckers Company ami said this to roman farrow. Quote, in theory you would think trump has all the power in this relationship but in fact pecker has the power, he has the power to run these stories, he knows where the bodies are buried. Thats the big risk. Pecker is not the president but does pecker have the upper hand on the president . We dont know what information he has. Enough for the prosecutors to give him immunity. They think what he has is valuable and i think hes already told them. Whatever he has accumulated over the years may not be criminal, this could just be scandalous things. Prosecutors dont care about scandals, they care about the law. So we dont know what he has. But explain to people what queen for a day is. They would know what they could get before they give him a deal. Getting immunity is not easy or done lightly. They would have demand eded a g representation of what his evidence was so they had a good idea of what he had to offer before they took the extraordinary step of offering him immunity. Because he can offer it up to them without facing charges and say heres what i got. Are you going to make me a deal or not . One thing thats important to note is this kind of intimidation to people over stories, its nothing new. Remember joe scarborough, mika brzezinski, they claimed they got a call from the white house where they were threatened to stop saying negative things about the president. They were told they would have to apologize, they would have to say were apologizing or the National Enquirer would run a story that would embarrass
them. Lets listen to that moment. It was striking and maybe emblem matt atic. We got a call that the National Enquirer is going to run a negative story against you guys and and it was donald is friends the president is friends with the guy that runs the National Enquirer and they said if you call the president up and you apologize for your coverage he will pick up the phone and basically spike this story. They didnt do that and the National Enquirer ran the story. And you can see why. They were working hand in glove. Look at the headlines about hillary during the campaign. Thats a good point. They were making staggering unbelievably fictional claim. They said she was six months away from death. Lung cancer, alzheimers
disease, having gays s assignations, said jfkted cruz father was part of the jfk assassination. But that in and of itself is not illegal, is it . Not necessarily though extortion is on the books. Or defamation. Right. I would say, though, that this is a good example of a truism in criminal activity. Criminal activities are twoedged swords. Use to feel the criminal when hes using it to attack someone but if you can get evidence of it as mr. Pecker may be providing, it comes back to harm you so that is why i think mr. Peckers cooperation may come back to harm mr. Trump and reveal additional crimes. Thank you, keep it sunny in chicago, ill be there later today. I dont want any delays into
ohare. Ill take care of. It thanks for joining me. One of the most powerful republicans in Congress Says his party needs to do more when it comes to bringing minorities, africanamericans into the fold. What is his plan and does he think the president is helping or hurting . You might take something for your heart. Or joints. But do you take something for your brain. With an ingredient originally discovered in jellyfish, prevagen has been shown in Clinical Trials to improve shortterm memory. Prevagen. Healthier brain. Better life. And i dont add up the years. But what i do count on is boost®. Delicious boost® high protein nuritional drink now has 33 more protein, along with 26 Essential Vitamins and minerals boost® high protein. Be up for life. Boost® high protein. The first survivor of alzis out there. Ase and the Alzheimers Association is going to make it happen. But we wont get there without you. Join the fight with the Alzheimers Association. Its absolute confidence in 30,00or it isnt. Arts, its inspected by mercedesbenz factorytrained technicians, or it isnt. Its backed by an unlimited mileage warranty, or it isnt. For those who never settle, its either mercedesbenz certified preowned, or it isnt. The mercedesbenz certified preowned sales event, now through august 31st. Only at your authorized mercedesbenz dealer. Ahoy gotcha ah nooooo. Noooooo. Nooooo. Quick, the quicker picker upper
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the administration. Republicans across the country are faced with the choice speak out or stay mum. Republican congressman mark walker joins me, he chairs the powerful republican study committee. Good morning, thanks for being here. Thanks, poppy, glad to be here. How would you assess this week for the Republican Party . Well i think each week you have your ebbs and flows, sometimes things outside of washington, d. C. Impact the voters mind but we want to stay consistent with making a better life for the american people. Was that aver shadowed by Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen and the fighting with the Attorney General . If youre looking at the Media Outlets then being transparent i would say yes. I think were seeing more and more of their lifestyle and
background and it is troubling. Lets talk about the attacks on going at this hour between the president and Jeff Sessions. Do you want to see Jeff Sessions keep his job . I think jeff has exemplified someone who is timid but if you look at his record he has been consistent. Thats between the president and the doj if theres issues there that maybe were unbeknownst of but i think Jeff Sessions has done a decent job. I would like to see him more bold on the decisions that he is making for the country. But you dont want to see the president fire him . I dont think its good necessarily for Cabinet Members to be fired unless there is concrete evidence to support su such. Could the Attorney General be more aggressive . Absolutely. Tonight President Trump will attend a big republican dinner ohio, the biggest state dinner
there. Ohio republican Governor John Kasich is not going to go. Just last week the president blamed john kasich for the republicans possibly losing ohio 12, called kasich very unpopular. Im interested in what you think as a member of congress. Who represents the Republican Party more . Governor kasich or President Trump . Well, if you look at the numbers you would have to say President Trump. We do polling as other members of congress do and the people who Elected Trump are not deterred. You guys did a piece last night there in pennsylvania, Maybe Northern Pennsylvania that talked about with even the cohen and manafort, as disgusting as the decisions these gentlemen have made, it looks like that core base of Trump Supporters is still intact. But if the president were to pardon manafort, thats the line those voters told Jason Carroll they would draw is. Let me get you on something
important to you, race and the Republican Party. Its very clear you dont think the Republican Party is doing enough to bring in africanamericans. You spoke about it. Lets listen. Its easy to preesh to the choir, but we must take our message to new places, new neighborhoods and new communities. Eleven to listen whether democrat, muslim, minorities or those who identify with the lgbt community. Is your party still as we sit here today even after the 2012 autopsy report, is it doing enough to bring africanamericans and minorities in . I believe theres a lot of improvements to be made. I wasnt aware of that report when i left the ministry to run for congress. I did something that was specifically in my heart and i believe individual liberty and opportunity, prosperity should be good for all of our communities. The thing were most proud of is those relationships but they
werent photooped when i ran for congress. Those relationships have been long standing. Our work in the inner cities of cleveland, new york and baltimore and i became the first elected republican to speak at the North Carolina legislative black caucus foundation. I know, everyone else there was democrat. And that speech you just played was not a nonpartisan crowd, that was one of the more conservative conferences in washington, d. C. So we try to be consistent with our message. I know your district, onefifth of your district is africanamerican but you said this is much larger than my district, i am trying to lead by examp example. Does it make your job harder to make this about your country and not the district when the president says things like calling omarosa a dog or lebron james dumb or peddling
birtherism claims about President Obama for years or pointing to both sides in charlottesville. Is he making your job harder, sir . Sometimes it can be difficult to explain some of the tweets, theres no question about that. Were trying to look at the results instead of personalities. I have three children, i think you have a couple as well. We want to set good standards, President Obama was a good man, had a good marriage, id love for my children to exemplify that component but you cannot deny his policy added people into the poverty arena. We believe President Trumps policies as well as House Republicans are pulling people out of that situation. Ultimately we have to get away from this government notion that adding more people to a golt program is a good solution. Its not. Before we go. You said look sometimes it can be hard to explain his tweets. Really . Is that it . Do you not find the way you stand up for africanamericans
in your district, do you not find some of the president has said racist . I find them offensive. To be able to label someone is a racist is sometimes trying to judge where their hearts intent. Some of the undertones that i hear is not language that i use because i know how hurtful and painful it is to my friends in these communities. We have to continue to rare the standard but are we measuring this administration about personality or policy . I hope that both matters i get that, character, integrity and class matter but we want to make sure we dont get distracted to miss some things that we believe are helping all of our communities. Congressman mark walker, its an important conversation, well keep having it and appreciate you being with me today, hawk. Thanks, poppy, my privilege. Ahead for us, indicted for misuse of a quarter of a million
bucks in Campaign Funds and what does a sitting republican congressman have to say . My wife handled the finances. Hear the stunning interview next. Steelers tickets, lavish vacations, tequila shots and a flight for a bunny. Folks, you cannot make this stuff up. Congressman Duncan Hunter and his wife pleaded not guilty to charges they used Campaign Money for all of that. Look at this. Good morning. How will you plead today . Feeling good. They are yelling. Those are protesters yelling lock him up as he appeared in the california courtroom yesterday. It appears, though, the republican Law Maim Maker is shifting blame to none other than his wife. Sara sidner joins me now. He gave this interview to fox news. What did he say . Stunning, weve all used that word over and over again. When they went into court, he and his wife went into court at separate times, separate doors and they didnt sit together in court so if that tells you something beyond what he has said about his wife, one of the things he talked about, they had 37,000 in overdraft fees, 11,000 overdrafts according to prosecutors. And when he asked about how does this happen, he started talking about his wife and i wanted to run through things prosecutors say they spent Campaign Funds on. 14,000 on a Family Vacation to italy. 6500 to hawaii, 3700 to las vegas. One of the things that struck people and upset them was that in some instances when they were buying clothes and shoes they said look lets write this off as for wounded warriors. Remember, Representative Hunter is a veteran himself, he did
three tours after 9 11 in the marines overseas so that strength people as disturbing. Lets listen to why the finances were so problematic if you will. When i went to iraq in 2003, i gave her power of attorney and she handled my finances throughout my entire Military Career and that continued when i got into congress. She was the Campaign Manager so whatever she did, that will be looked at but i didnt do it. Ill sounds like hes throwing his wife under the bus. He is seemingly blaming her for some of their financial issues. He has also blamed taking a page out of Donald Trumps book he has blamed the deep state, blamed the Justice Department calling them corrupt saying this is democrats that they just want the seat. And believe me, they do want the
seat but they call it hogwash that they had anything to do with this. It was so interesting in your reporting as theyve been talking about reporters in this safe republican district. Now its too late. Are they all the voters on the same page or are they divided . They are divided according to people we spoke with. Our producer went to talk to people and we heard from someone who is staunchly republican, who voted for Representative Hunter, who voted for Representative Hunters father who had the seat before him and they decided they were changing their mind. They said he hasnt been convicted but these charges are problematic and distracting and he needs to get a job done in washington but there were other voters who said look we are going to vote republican no matter what. Guess what . The only name on the ballot because its too late to change
the name, the only name on the ballot under republican will be representative Duncan Hunter. Lastly, there is a democrat vying for this seat. He was out getting attention yesterd yesterday. This is a heavily Military Area where Duncan Hunter is so he said i respect that he bent into the military and did his duty but after he went to washington it seems as though hes working for himself. Sara sidner, thank you. I know youll be on this story as it evolves. This morning it took less than 60 seconds for officials to vote down a proposal that would have closed Seven Of NinePolling Places in a predominantly black county in rural georgia. Critics called this proposal to consolidate the Polling Places an attempt to suppress the africanamerican vote. Former Georgia House minority leader stacy abrams is trying to become the Nations First Black Female governor. Shes running against Secretary Of State brian kemp. The consultant who recommended the closures was fired ahead of todays decision. And a whirlwind of negative headlines for the president but how is it sitting with his base . Ha pardons . I dont agree with them. And seet with its billions of live and active probiotics may help support your Digestive Health so you can take on your day. Start the activia probiotic challenge today. It works or its free
to lock your dentures. So now you can eat tough food without worry. Fixodent and forget it. Is technology with the power to change your life. Life. To the fullest. In a week of Major League Developments In Trump world, many are wondering what the ramifications of manaforts conviction and cohens guilty
plea might be on the base. You might be surprised where some of the spoupporters draw t line. Reporter Luzerne County in Northeast Pennsylvania is one of those industrial communities that has fallen on tough times. To political observers its known as a place that supported barack obama twice and flipped to donald trump in 2016. How did it go today . Reporter the aftermath of legal bombshells involving Michael Cohen and Campaign ChairmanPaul Manafort here in lieu luzerne, is so enkocourage by the economy, she can overlook infidelity. Unless the money came from Campaign Funds. Then i dont think its good. Reporter thats where you draw that sort of line . Yes. But i would still vote for him again. Reporter trumps win in this part of the state is thanks in part to democrats like aileen
and richard. This is all from obamas campaign. Reporter who after voting twice for President Obama switched their vote to trump. Here is what the couple told cnn weeks after trumps inaugurat n inauguration. You have to get the politically correct things out of here and get a businessman and get this man straight out, get the deficit down. Reporter they stand by their decision. Our retirement is in the stock market. The stock market has been growing for quite a while now. Im sort of happy with whats happening with the economy. Reporter they say they say t it is a side show and many others agree. The investigations were supposed to be about russia interference in our election. So far, ive seen nothing concerning that. Reporter as a candidate, trump infapomous joked about th dedication of his supporters. I have the most loyal people. Did you see that . I could stand in the middle of fifth avenue and shoot somebody
and i wouldnt lose any voters. Its like incredible. Reporter loyalty goes so far. Supporters here say it could be tested if trump began issuing pardons. The pardons, i dont agree with them. Reporter this Barber Shop Owner is an independent voter who supported trump. If the pardons started coming down, would that change your mind about voting for him . Its going to be in my decision. That would be in a decision, sure. Also mine. The president better watch about the pardons. With the pardons he does that, it looks like it was set up by him with the last couple tweets he had, where he sticks up for who is it that reporter manafort. He is a great guy. He is wonderful and everything else. He is sending a message if you stick with me, i will pardon you. Reporter in addition to the idea of pardons, another Line In The Sand for supporters we spoke
to would be if the Mueller Investigation found any evidence of collusion between members of the Trump Campaign and russians. That investigation far from over. But also a number of Trump Supporters express frustration over an investigation they say has gone on for far too long. Jason carroll, cnn, wilkesbarre, pennsylvania. Fascinating reporting. Thank you for that. More than 1,500 people in hawaii are sheltering in Evacuation Centers as this thing, Hurricane Lane, heads their way. The storm has not made landfall yet. Residents already feeling the effects. We will take you there next. Right now, residents in hawaii and officials are bracing for the worst. Over 1,500 people are sheltering as Hurricane Lane approaches. Right now its 200 miles off the coast and has been downgraded to a category 3 storm. But its lashing the island with powerful wind and heavy rain. The National WeatherService Warns lane will bring significant and lifethreatening Flash Flooding and landslides. If we see Hurricane Lane make la landfall it two be the first one to hit hiawaii in more than 25 years. Top of the hour. Im poppy harlow in new york. This morning, the president s friends flip as the commander in chief takes a Shot Across The Bow at his own Attorney General, hammering Jeff Sessions one day after his punching bag punched