Lesson in friendship playing out at recess, nightly news begins right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. We heard directly from President Trump late today about the on slot of headlineslot of headline slot of headlines battering the white house this week. In a brief news conference, the president saying yesterdays appointment with special counsel to take over the russia investigation is a witch hunt that divides the country. And he offered an emphatic no when asked whether the former fbi director comey knew about National Security advisor Michael Flynn. We get details from chief White House Correspondent hallie jackson. Reporter tonight, new reaction to the special counsel taking over the russia investigation. I respect the move but the entire thing is a witch hunt and there is no collusion between certainly myself and my campaign, but i can [000 01 59;00] russians, zero. I think it divides the country.
Everyone to the intelligence report. Liberal media calling georgia race a litmus test for President Trump. Despite all the money, 30 million they spent on the race and polls showing democrat jon ossoff was in the lead, they still lost. So will liberals finally realize that being antitrump, that is not what matters right now . That is not what voters want. They want economic solutions. Were on it. Robert mueller, the special counsel leading the russia probe stacking his deem with democrats, folks who donated to Hillary Clintons campaign. Does he really have to have them . There is no one else he could possibly fine . Perhaps someone who doesnt have what is perceived to be some kind of a bias . Well ask judge napolitano. All of that coming up. Big business story today, uber ceo Travis Kalanick, stepping down as chief executive. According to the new york post, facebook coo, cheryl samburg on the short list to. Well ask branding expert bruce turkel. Senate republicans release a draft of th
No shortage of breaking news, surrounding the russia investigation, the president weighing the possibility of firing mueller. I think he is considering perhaps terminating the special counsel. I think he is weighing that option. I think its pretty clear by what one of his lawyers said on television recently. I personally think it would be a very significant mistake. Even though i dont think theres a justification and even though here you have a situation you dont think theres a justification . For a special counsel. Robert mueller, theres some real conflict. He comes from a law firm that represent members of the trump family. He interviewed the day before a few days before he was aspo t appointed with the president looking at him to become the next fbi director. Its true. I think it would be strange that he would have a confidential conversation and then a few days later become the prosecutor of the person he may be investigating. I think that mueller should have not taken the position
Mueller. I think he is considering perhaps terminating the special counsel. I think he is weighing that option. I think its pretty clear by what one of his lawyers said on television recently. I personally think it would be a very significant mistake. Even though i dont think theres a justification and even though here you have a situation you dont think theres a justification . For a special counsel in this case. Robert mueller, theres some real conflict. He comes from a law firm that represent members of the trump family. He interviewed the day before a few days before he was appointed with the president looking at him to become the next fbi director. That hasnt been published, but its true. I think it would be strange that he would have a confidential conversation and then a few days later become the prosecutor of the person he may be investigating. I think that mueller should have not taken the position if he was under consideration and had a private meeting with the president and
I think it important to establish why he was involved in the dismissal of director comey since he had recused himself. The whole thing is sour grapes. Did sessions meet with a Russian Ambassador . We shouldnt get carried away with things. Announcer this is new day with chris cuomo and alisyn camerota. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to new day. Special counsel in russia investigation is under fire. A longtime friend of President Trump said the president is considering firing Robert Mueller. The white house denies that the president ever discussed this issue with his friend. All right. In just a few hours attorney general Jeff Sessions is going to face tough questions at a Senate Hearing mainly about his contacts with russia and his involvement in the firing of james comey. What did the attorney general know about what his intentions were with james comey. Will he answer those questions . Cnn ryan nobles live on capitol hill. Ryan. Reporter good morning. Attorney general Jeff Sessions e