Manafort faces. The judge told them to get back to work though. So could it mean we are any closer to a verdict. But we start with some Breaking News. An nbc news exclusive. Former trump personal Attorney Michael Cohen is discussing a plea deal with federal prosecutors. One that could come as early as this afternoon. Thats according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke with nbc news. Tom winter is the nbc news investigations reporter who helped break the story. Our guest is a former u. S. District attorney for the Southern District of new york which is conducting the cohen investigation. Let me begin with you, tom, lay this out. What else did the sources say . How close the possibility of seeing some kind of deal emerge today . Sure. So ayman, as ellie can probably well tell you, no prosecutor counts their chickens and counts a plea deal until they have it. Then insigned. And the person is in court. I think were still a little a ways away from that, based upon
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Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. Inaugural address, which my old boss had colorful language to describe. George w. Bush called it some crazy bleep. I was thinking about the line about carnage and i was thinking that the real carnage and it was all in motion when he came that day. The real carnage is the people closest to donald trump. The lives that are being destroyed for crimes theyve committed. I mean, you know, its not a night to feel sympathy for Michael Cohen, but the events that are sending him to jail potentially are events put in motion by the things donald trump demanded of the people close to him. It may end up ensnaring his family. But just this idea of wreckage. A source close to Michael Cohen tonight told me that everything donald trump touches is tainted by his toxic brew of lack of ethics and lack of any adherence to the law. I also thought of something that someone who advises this president said to me earlier i
Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. No comment on cohen who was released on 500,000 bail. His sentencing, interestingly, is scheduled for december 12th. The judge noted that cohen could serve up to 65 years in prison, though we should hasten to add the prosecutess recommended sentence is something closer to four or six years. Manafort is expected to be sentenced to seven to nine years when its all said and done. He also faces another trial on related charges next month in washington. Meanwhile, both men now join rick gates, michael flynn, George Papadopoulos on the roster of Trump Associates who faced criminal charges. On that, let us bring in our expanded leadoff panel for a consequential tuesday evening. Nicolle wallace returned to the night shift. The veteran of the Bush White House and host of deadline white house. And here in new york mi
Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. New york. Day 579 of the Trump Administration turns out was the day the president was placed in real legal jeopardy. Here is the story from tomorrows front page of the New York Times. Cohen pleads guilty implicated president. The president s former personal lawyer turned himself into the fbi today and stood in Federal Court and pleaded guilty to eight charges including two related to rush Money Payments to women which he admitted were at the direction of his boss, donald trump, for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election. Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion and lying to a financial institution, as well as two Campaign Finance violations. Again, both involving trumps quest for the white house. The payoffs described match the cases of Karen Mac Dougall and stormy daniels. This case is being brought by the feds. Attorney for the Eastern District of virginia. Also happens to be a senior official
Right now the judge is reading the charges after mr. Cohen told the court, i am truly sorry and i promises to do better. He Apologize Nod country. And the defense team is asking for full consideration of mercy and telling the judge that the client came forward to offer evidence against the most p powerful man in the country not knowing the result. The prosecutors are responding forcefully and saying that powerful and privileged individuals cannot violate laws without impunity, and back with me, this tremendous panel, Danny Cevallos, Ken Delainian, and elliott and jill winebank. And jill, what do you make of what we have heard so far in this robust apology that we have heard from Michael Cohen saying that he was acting out of Blind Loyalty to donald trump. Of course, the phrase Blind Loyalty to donald trump reminds
me of the book by john dean Blind Ambition and there is some similarity between the two of them where they were basically blinded by the power of the president. But you can o