Transcripts For KYW CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley 20170302

And protecting with a style all his own. Not a lot of people are aware of the power they have to make someone happy, to bring a smile to someones face. This is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Pelley late today, attorney general Jeff Sessions recused himself from the f. B. I. s investigation of russian meddling in the u. S. President ial election. This comes after the Justice Department acknowledged that sessions met with the Russian Ambassador to the united states, Sergey Kislyak, during the campaign. Sessions did not disclose this when he was asked at his confirmation hearing about contacts between the campaign and the russian government. Sessions was a campaign adviser. U. S. Intelligence has concluded the russians tried to influence the election. Now, the f. B. I. Is investigating whether Trump Campaign associates colluded with russian operatives. Last month, the president fired National Security adviser michael flynn, after flynn lied to the Vice President about contacts he had with ambassador kislyak. No Administration Official has been accused of collusion, but questions are being asked about why top Trump Officials have been evasive in explaining their meetings with ambassador kislyak. Jeff pegues has todays developments. In retrospect, i should have slowed down and said, but i did meet one russian official a couple of times. Reporter u. S. Attorney general Jeff Sessions said that he would have no involvement in any investigation related to the Trump Campaign. The announcement came less than a day after sessions acknowledged having two meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last year, something he did not reveal while under oath at at his confirmation hearing when he was questioned by minnesota democrat al franken. And if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump Campaign communicated with the russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do . Senator franken, i am not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and i didnt have did not have communications with the russians. Make America Great again reporter in february, 2016, sessions became the first senator to endorse thencandidate trump. He defended mr. Trumps positive comments about russia. Donald trump is right. We need to figure out a way to end this cycle of hostility that is putting this country at risk. Reporter in july, he had a conversation with kislyak at the Republican National convention in cleveland. Then, in september, the two met in the alabama senators capitol hill office. Sessions says the Russian Ambassador initiated the meeting. Less than a month later, u. S. Intelligence agencies would publicly blame the russian government for a wave of cyberattacks targeting the u. S. Election. Ultimately concluding the attacks were designed to help President Trump. The f. B. I. Counterintelligence unit continues to investigate contact betweens Trump Associates and russian operatives. During his confirmation process, sessions was asked in a written questionnaire if he had any contact with the russian government about the 2016 election. He responded, no. He repeated that assertion today. I never had meetings with russian operatives or russian intermeadaries about the Trump Campaign. And the idea that i was tart of a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between trump sursurrogates and intermeadaries for the russian government is totally false. Reporter eric oneill, a former counterintelligence officer for the f. B. I. , says everyone at the Russian Embassy is part of the kremlins spy network. But there has to be that understanding that youre not just talking to a politician or a diplomat. Youre talking to someone who will feed into intelligence. Reporter we now know other Trump Associates also met with kislyak, either during or after the campaign. They include michael flynn, adviser carter page, and mr. Trumps soninlaw, jared kushner. Scott, today, the white house described the kushner meeting as an inconsequential hello. Pelley jeff pegues, thanks. Investigations are also under way on capitol hill where we find nancy cordes. I do think he should recuse himself. Reporter dozens of republicans concluded today that sessions was simply too close to the Trump Campaign to be in charge of investigating it. I would recuse myself if i were in his shoes right now. Reporter Democratic Leaders in the house and senate went further, calling on sessions to resign after 22 days on the job. The top cop in our country lied under oath. There is something very inappropriate to dramatically mislead congress. Reporter why isnt it enough for him to recuse himself . Why does he have to resign . Look, the attorney general is the chief Law Enforcement officer of the land, and already his integrity and independence has been questioned. Reporter sessions served in congress for 21 years and has many Close Friends here. Hes a man of integrity. Reporter they argued today he didnt mean to mislead and had every right as a member of the Armed Services committee to meet with a foreign diplomat. Idaho republican jim risch in the last couple of years, ive probably met with a highranking official of half the countries on the face of the earth. Reporter but given tensions with russia, meetings with that nations envoys arent as common. Oklahoma republican jim inhofe has served on Armed Services for two decades. When is the last time you met with the Russian Ambassador . I dont think i ever have. Reporter committee chair, john mccain, has kept his distance from ambassador kislyak since 2014. I was sanctioned by vladimir putin. And so i doubt if that would be a very pleasant encounter. Reporter democrats say sessions, a former prosecutor, should have known that his testimony was leaving a false impression that he never met with any russian officials. Some republicans, however, scott, say it was just an honest mistake made in hour 11 of a very tense confirmation hearing. Pelley nancy cordes on capitol hill. Attorney jan crawford is our chief legal correspondent. Jan, as you might expect, democrats accused sessions today of perjuring himself before congress. What is is the law on that . Reporter scott, that is var high bar and i see now way attorney general session would be prosecuted for his testimony. To be convicted of lying to congress, you have to give testimony that you know is false, and sessions said this afternoon he was thinking the question related to whether he had contacts in connection with his role as a campaign surrogate, not as a u. S. Senator. So, in that context, and when you look at the actual questions, his statements would not be considered false under the law. Pelley now that sessions has recused himself, what does that mean to the continuing investigation . Reporter well, i mean, democrats are saying that sessions recusal is just not enough, and its a little late since hes been in office for three weeks. And theyre calling for a special prosecutor nowrng a spokesperson for session says he will not be involved in those discussion which means it will fall to the acting attorney general, dana boente, who was nominated by president obama, to decide whether or not a special prosecutor should take over the investigation. Remember, sessions choice for deputy has not yet been confirmed by the senate. And, scott, youre also seeing some calls for an independent, 9 11style commission to investigate any wrongdoing that might not rise to the criminal level. Pelley and the special prosecutor, of course, would take want investigation outside the Justice Department. Jan crawford for us tonight. Jarng thank you. Today, President Trump promised more warships, planes, and weapons to a visit to americas new aircast carrier the gerald r. Ford. Mr. Trump praised the ship but he has been harshly critical of its cost. Reporter nothing sim blielz American Military might more than an aircraft carrier, which is why the president went aboard the navys newest carrier, the gerald r. Ford to promote his plans for the a military buildup. We will give you the tools you need to prevent war and if required to fight expwar only do one thing. You know what that is . Win with. Win were going to start winning again. Reporter but as the most expensive ship ever built, the ford which will begin its sea trials next month, stands for Something Else as well. Ford say poster chyle for how you dont build a ship. Reporter garcia de rayos should know. They were designing the ford while they were building it. Not a good way to build a ship. This is just a dumb way to build any kind of ship, but particularly something as big and complicated as a carrier. Reporter started during the bush administration, the ford incor Incorporated New technologies, including an electromagnetic launch system to replace the trouble catapult. No only price went through the roof, but the schedule just became terrible because because there were so many new technologies and it was so ununproven. Reporter the ford is expected to cost just under 13 billion and thats not counting the aircraft it will carry, including the f35 joint Strike Fighter alcohol cost the navy close to 100 million a copy. Under the current schedule, the ford will not be ready for combat until 2021, which means donald trump will have to get elected to a second term before he can send it into action. Scott. Pelley david martin terpentagon. David, thank you. The vaticans commitment to protecting children from abuse by priests is being questioned tonight by an abuse victim who was appointed by want pope to help end exploitation. She quit at the start of lent, a period of soulsearching for catholics, and heres seth doane. And i thought for myself, theres no point in staying. Reporter after three years representing Church Sex Abuse survivors on that vatican panel, colquitt, citing a culture of resistance at the vatican. These men, they thrive on secrecy and coverup, and i thought it was time to to move out and be able to speak about it and to let it be known. Reporter councils does not blame pope francis but rather members of the vatican curate, or church administration, saying the lack of cooperation is shameful. They have the same sort of attitude as the Church Leadership here had 20 years ago when i was trying to bring my abuser to justice. And its soul destroying. Its heartbreaking to see that there are still men with those same attitudes. Reporter boston cardinal, sean omalley, who heads the commission said, he will certain listen carefully to all that marie wishes to share with us about her concerns. You tried to convince her to stay. Yes, i tried to convince her. Reporter father hans zollner is part of the same panel set up by pope francis. We need to talk about it, we need to face it, but many people are afraid and are reluctant to touch this because this is ugly. This is horrific. Reporter and that can lead to this lack of cooperation within the vatican curate . Yeah, yes, of course, because you you deal with something that that you better dont look at. Reporter this is not first highprofile keparture. Peter saunders, the only other sex victim on the panel, was sidelined last year. The it is up for discussion as to whether other sex Abuse Victims will be invited to join the panel. Father zollner told us collins resignation may be a tbletion disguise because it focuses attention on the issue. Scott, he told us, even he is if you straighted by the pace of change. Pelley seth doane at the vatican. Thanks. Still ahead, a genetic discovery may help people lose weight, and the cop setting an example for living stronger. So i liked when my doctor told me i may reach my blood sugar and a1c goals by activating whats within me with onceweekly trulicity. Trulicity is not insulin. It helps activate my body to do what its supposed to do release its own insulin. Trulicity responds when my blood sugar rises. I take it once a week, and it works 24 7. It comes in an easytouse pen and i may even lose a little weight. Trulicity is a onceweekly injectable prescription medicine to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise. Trulicity is not insulin. It should not be the first medicine to treat diabetes or for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Do not take trulicity if you or a Family Member has had medullary thyroid cancer, if youve had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to trulicity. Stop trulicity and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as itching, rash, or trouble breathing; a lump or swelling in your neck; or severe pain in your stomach area. Serious side effects may include pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Taking trulicity with a sulfonylurea or insulin increases your risk for low blood sugar. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite and indigestion. Some side effects can lead to dehydration, which may make existing kidney problems worse. With trulicity, i click to activate whats within me. If you want help improving your a1c and blood sugar numbers with a noninsulin option click to activate your within. Ask your doctor about onceweekly trulicity. Find fast relief behind the counter allergies with nasal congestion . With claritind. [ upbeat music ] strut past that aisle for the allergy relief that starts working in as little as 30 minutes and contains the best oral decongestant. Live claritin clear, with claritind. Pelley weve come across a Fascinating Development in science. A woman who could not gain weight may have helped find a solution for people who gain too much. Heres jim axelrod. Reporter abby solomons purse looks like a traveling pantry, full of sugary snacks. My life basically revolves around food. Reporter and, yet, for all she eats, shes in a constant battle with starvation. Abby was born with a rare genetic disorder called neonato prod gero syndrome. The mutation mangles noses and makes abby look prematurely old. It also prevents her body from making enough asprosin air, hormone that stimulates appetite. This sounds like it really does control your life, doesnt it . Yeah, yeah, its always on my mind. Reporter shes not hungry, but still needs to eat all the time. The food feeds her brain just enough glucose to keep her from passing out, but its only a few bites until she feels full. Abby consumes half the amount of normal calories for a woman her age, and at 510, weighs just 99 pounds. Youre eating and eating and not gaining weight. Right. Its i mean, its weird. I agree. Reporter dr. Antul chopra doesnt think its weird. I think we are very fortunate that our paths crossed, mine and abbys. Reporter he thinks it could be an exciting breakthrough in the fight against obesity and diabetes. So heres a normal mouse. Reporter a medical geneticist at barely college of inside houston, dr. Chopra analyzed abbys d. N. A. These are mice that have abbys mutation. Reporter and replicated her condition in lab mice. So this is a skinny mouse. Thats right. Reporter and this over here a normalsized mice. Thats right. Reporter hes now developing an antibody designed to shut down asprosins effect on the body. That wouldnt hope here, that we can inject diabetic obese humans with antibodies against asprosin, and if it works any way how it works in mice, i think it has a game changer. Reporter it certainly would be for thomeshia jones. I dont like looking at myself in the mirror. Reporter 17 years old, she weighs 380 pounds. I was getting picked on every day, like, nonstop. Reporter while she is learning better eating habits at texas Childrens Hospital teenaged obesity program, she is desperate. We talked about the surgery. Reporter next month, well shooel have bariatric surgery. If you could do this without having to have surgery, would you . Yes, most definitely. Just the thought of surgery is scary. Reporter abby solomons d. N. A. May soon offer hope to people like thomeshia jones. Thats so cool. I mean, i guess thats what i was put here to do, and thats why i was born this way. Reporter finally, abbys appetite is voracious, hungry to help. Jim axelrod, cbs news, austin, texas. Pelley coming up, healing the heartland. Psst. Hey. Where you going . Weve got that thing you know. Diarrhea . Abdominal pain . But we said wed be there. Woap, who makes the decisions around here . Its me. Dont think ill make it. Stomach again. Send if youre living with frequent, unpredictable diarrhea and abdominal pain, you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea or ibsd a condition that can be really frustrating. Talk to your doctor about viberzi. A different way to treat ibsd. Viberzi is a Prescription Medication you take every day that helps proactively manage both diarrhea and abdominal pain at the same time. So you stay ahead of your symptoms. Viberzi can cause new or worsening abdominal pain. Do not take viberzi if you have or may have had pancreas or severe liver problems, problems with alcohol abuse, longlasting or severe constipation, or a blockage of your bowel or gallbladder. If you are taking viberzi, you should not take medicines that cause constipation. The most common side effects of viberzi include constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Stay ahead of ibsd. With viberzi. So we know how to cover almost alanything. Ything, even a truckcicle. [second man] how you doing . [ice cracking] [second man] ah,ah, ah. Oh no [first man] saves us some drilling. [burke] and we covered it, february fourteenth, twentyfifteen. Talk to farmers. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum 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. Hi hey you look good. Thank you, i feel good. It all starts with eating right. Thats why i eat amaz n prunes now. Theyre delicious and help keep my body in balance. I love these. Sunsweet amaz n prunes, the feel good fruit. Pelley folks in parts of the midwest and the south spent another day recovering from an outbreak of tornadoes. There were more than two dozen in seven states. Three people were killed in illinois, and one in missouri. More than 100 homes are damaged. A new study by the centers for Disease Control tallied up americas sleep deficit, and more than onethird of americans arent getting the necessary seven hours. Lack of sleep is estimated to cost the economy 411 billion a year. In lost productivity. Coming up, the cop on the beat. To folks everywhere whose diabetic. Nerve pain shoots and burns its way into your day. I hear you. When that pain makes simple errands simply unbearable. I hear you. I hear you because my dad struggled with this pain. Make sure your doctor hears you too. So folks, dont wait. Step on up. And talk to your doctor. Because you have places to go. And people who cant wait for you to get there. If you have diabetes and burning, shooting pain in your feet or hands. Step on up and talk to your doctor today. Do you know how your you might be surprised. Stimulant laxatives make your body go by forcefully stimulating the nerves in your colon. Miralax is different. It works with the water in your body to hydrate and soften, unblocking your system naturally. Miralax. Or is it your allergy pills . Holding you back break through your allergies. Introducing Flonase Sensimist. 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Dayquil liquid gels dont treat your runny nose. Seriously . Alkaseltzer plus cold and cough liquid gels fights your worst cold symptoms plus your runny nose. Oh, what a relief it is. Pelley in our series living stronger, were introducing you to senior members of the American Family who are setting an example of how to live life to the fullest. Omar villafranca now with a cop who embodies the spirit of the law. Reporter when officer Arthur Parker directs traffic in front of Clark High School in plano, texas, the 57yearold keeps the cars and his body moving surprising some drivers. Someone called and said,hey, theres a drunk one of your officers is drunk in the middle of the street. They got a real call. Reporter but to students and staff who know officer parker, or o. P. , as hes called its nothing new. Hes worked as a School Resource officer for the past 27 years, and hes living stronger by keeping people safe and spreading joy. He makes them laugh. Reporter Janice Williams is the high schools principal. My first intreftionz, oh, my gosh, this is going to be the person thats going to be protecting us . Because he did his normal goofy o. P. Thing, and went into some kind of character, and hes kept me laughing ever since. Reporter to keep students motivated its a 5 k, what are you going to play . Parker even taught himself a tune for every situation. History lesson. Trying to get kids moving along in the classroom. Luke, im your father go to class reporter to the teens at clark high, hes a confidant and a confidence booster. O. P. , he really tries to find that connection. Reporter Sapida Abbasi and sirnic mbua are students. Hes mostly just taught me how to just be confident no matter what. When its fun, like, hes always fun. Like, when things get real, hes strict. Reporter last year, officer parker was voted Plano Police Officer of the year. To show their appreciation, the students came up with a secret plan. applause they surprised the police veteran with a pep rally. Parker believes making other people smile is the key to a happy life. I feel like i have so much to give, and ive still not given enough. Not a lot of people have the opportunity or are aware of the power they have to make someone happy. What you gonna do when they come for you reporter omar villafranca, cbs news, plano, texas. Pelley and thats the cbs evening news for tonight. For all of us at cbs news all around the world, good night. Captioning sponsored by cbs captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org hollywoods most famous exes reconnect. Shes a dear friend of mine. Just months after separating from angelina, why brad pitt is talking to jennifer aniston. What we know about their private conversation. Then a new bachelor faceoff. Why kaitlyn is seething over nicks new dancing gig. The controversy. 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