Before we go, there has been a lot of choice language in American Politics this week. Weve heard scumbag, f off, stuck on stupid. We just talked at length about shitter being used in a congressional hearing. Tonight the former president of the United States decided to top them all off with quite the addition to the swear jar tonight. Just a warning, seriously, this is not safe for kids. If somebodys beating you by 10, 15, or 20 points like were doing with crooked joe biden, lets indict the motherfucker. Lets indict. And on that note, i will turn it over to you, pam brown, and cnn tonight. Thats quite the turnover there, abby. Sorry. It really happened. Had to do it. I understand. You cant bleep it out. Hes the leading republican president ial candidate. Totally get it. Have a great weekend. Good evening, everyone. Im pamela brown. Great to have you with us on this friday night, this late friday night. And theres some news happening. Donald trump telling reporters tonight he may be in court on monday. Are you going to your trial on monday . I may. I may, yeah. Thats for the 250 million civil fraud suit the new York Attorney general is bringing against the former president and his Business Empire while in georgia, one of trumps codefendants pleading guilty today, flipping for the prosecution agreeing to testify. Plus, historic flooding in new york city. These pictures, wow. A months worth of rain falling in just a short few hours today. Surging flood waters overwhelming streets. The subway system, Basement Apartments, even schools. And the looming question tonight, will there be a shutdown . We are now just 25 hours away from the shutdown of the federal government if there is no deal made. At this hour, the prospects are looking grim. Were going to tell you what leader mccarthy is saying tonight. But lets begin this hour ahead with cnn legal analyst michael moore. The former u. S. Attorney for the middle district of georgia, and chris timmons, a former georgia prosecutor. Great to have you both on. So the first guilty plea in the Georgia Election subversion case tonight is from this Bail Bondsman, scott hall. He has flipped. He will testify in any future hearings or trials. What does that mean for trump or other codefendants like Sidney Powell . Help us put this into context. Im glad to be with both of you tonight. Its interesting when you look at this guilty plea. Remember that mr. Hall was charged with the grandest Election Stealing Effort in the History Of The World basically, and now theyve come down to five Misdemeanor Charges and no jail time. He doesnt even lose his right to vote because he wont be a convicted felon. So its curious to me why the government needed him and the state wanted to use him in this way. I know part of his plea deal is he will cooperate. Hes to give truthful testimony. It may be important in the powell case, and it may not be. We just dont know yet the depth of what he knows and what he may have told investigators as we go forward. There are benefits to him, though. Hes a Bail Bondsman in georgia. If you have a felony conviction, you cant be a Bail Bondsman. So he would have lost his ability to make a living in that way. What well find out as we move forward is whether or not he has information that directly implicates ms. Powell or if this is one of those things where the state was just looking to try to get the first domino to fall in the hopes that his plea puts pressure on other people like her to take a plea as they try to work their way up the ladder. Theres no question theyre trying to move this closer to trump, and theyre starting at the bottom. It looks like theyve clearly gone to the bottom rung as theyre trying to knock the wall down here. Michael, on that note, do you expect there to be an avalanche of plea deals now . I dont really think so. You may see a couple of people, the lowhanging fruit drop off. Im not sure youre going to see out of the powell and chesebro group. These are Trial Lawyers who are experienced. Theyre criminal practitioners. It will take more than somebody pleading to a couple of misdemeanors to scare them away from the courtroom. So im not sure this is going to do that. Again, mr. Hall may have some information that they think is particularly important that they wanted to get some critical bit of testimony in. We dont know what all we know he testified in the grand jury, but we dont know what all is there. But well see. Theres no reason for people to rush too much to a plea because they get to watch the whole case in october and november and for the next half a year before they have to make a decision. They get a preview of the evidence that the state has in this case. Right. But for others, i mean their trial is coming up, right, chris . Georgia prosecutors said today they may offer a plea deal to Sidney Powell or krcheschesebro. How do you expect this to play out . I dont expect either one to plead. Theyre both attorneys and a lot of our identity is wrapped up in being an attorney. If they enter a plea, unless its a Misdemeanor Plea like mr. Hall did, its going to be a plea to a felony, most likely to rico, and theyll have to stop being attorneys at that point. So i dont anticipate either one of themm entering a plea unless the state offers them a Sweetheart Plea like mr. Hall got. Mr. Hall wont be convicted of anything if he successfully completes his plea. He can continue to vote, and he wont be a felon, any of that. Chris, lets talk about jeffrey clark. Of course he is the disgraced former doj official accused of trying to interfere in georgias election as well as three fake electors. They cannot move their cases to federal Court Despite their requests. And im curious. What do you think that means . Does that put more pressure on them to cooperate . I think it does in a way that they know theyre going to trial in georgia. The thought with going to the Northern District by removing your case there is theyd get a more favorable jury pool. North georgia is much more conservative than the City Of Atlanta itself even though the City Of Atlanta itself is incorporated within the Northern District of georgia. I think when youre looking at a worse jury pool, and of course the most important part of any trial is the jury itself. So when youre looking at one jury pool that may be likely to acquit you versus another jury pool thats likely to convict you, you are much more likely to consider a plea. I think thats where they are at this particular point. I want to look ahead now to next week. Its going to be a busy week. Cnn is learning tonight that trump just may attend his new york city fraud trial, which is scheduled to begin on monday, and that u. S. Secret service has met with nypd security officials. He could also be called to testify, but how do you think his presence will impact this trial, if at all . I mean first of all, everybodys going to be paying attention to it. You know, a lot of folks around the world are interested in what the former president is up to. Youre right in that the state of new york could call him as a witness in the case. I think based on what the pleadings were that indicated he had a strategic interest in the case, i dont think necessarily his own attorneys are going to call him. I mean its possible. It also would be interesting if the state called him themselves. My concern with calling the former president to the stand is that hes not going to answer my questions if i called him to the stand. So i might be concerned that i put him up, and its much ado about nothing. I think theyll probably stay away from him. I suspect his own attorneys will stay away from him as well so as not to create testimony that might hurt him in the other trials that are pending in the criminal arena. Thank you so much, gentlemen. Chris timmons, michael moore, appreciate your insights on this friday night. We have other major news today that we are covering. Torrential rain in new york and new jersey, a months worth of rain falling in a matter of hours. Roads, subways, and homes flooded with First Responders jumping into action. Cnns Polo Sandoval is in brooklyn. Polo. Reporter hey, pamela. Good evening. Even after a very long day of Soaking Rains in new york city, you can still see floodwaters that are quite literally flowing out of brooklyns prospect park. That floodwater eventually makes its way onto some of the nearby streets here. It reminds you of just the sheer amount of water that fell today in new york city and some of the surrounding regions. Some parts getting a months worth of rain in only a few hours. So the result was practically a nightmare for millions of people in americas largest city, the mass transit system, at least parts of it practically paralyzed. Tonight many of those aspects of the Transportation System are trying still to get back up and running. New york city mayor eric adams recommending that folks remain on alert tonight and into the weekend though there is some sign of improvement in the forecast. Mayor adams also recommending that folks living in those Basement Apartments be extra on alert because that has proven to be deadly in previous storms. Mayor adams also fighting Back Criticism that the city was slow to respond and to warn people about the incoming storm. Every time you have a flood or a major casualty, that is part of the narrative. Thats part of the call. I have an amazing team. It did not take me to stand in front of a camera. I had an exmilitary expert in ch charge. I put out clear orders to all of the men and women of my team that you must leave. If the mayor is the only one that can communicate to the public, were in trouble. I have to run a city. Reporter also facing some tough questions today, new york Citys Department of education. The chancellor of that School System asked why they did not go with Remote Learning today. School officials explaining that that is only considered for extreme circumstances, and it simply did not apply in this particular situation. In terms of what the citys saying about rescues, we did see about 15 people have to be rescued from their vehicles during the day and no reports of any injuries or fatalities. Polo, thanks so much. Now to cnns chad myers in the Weather Center for us. Just how much rain fell here and whats ahead . Pamela, it was the amount of rain in inches but also the rate of rain that made such a difference today, that made all of those pictures here. Everywhere that you see orange, including new york city, the bronx, all the way across queens, all 4 inches of rain or more. There were many places with more than 6 inches and very close to 8 inches here for jfk. 7. 97 inches of rainfall fell since midnight. That is an alltime high. There has never been a wetter day in jfk history since theyve been keeping track. Even places like brooklyn, over 7 inches of rain from this storm alone. Now, the rain is gone. Its moved off toward eastern long island, and by tomorrow its just a bad memory. There will still be some showers tonight, and overnight we could see a few spots in yellow of an inch or two, but thats about it. This is just about winding down right now. All right. Chad myers, thanks so much. We are just over 24 hours away from a Government Shutdown if a deal is not made. Coming up, ill speak with a republican who is calling out members of his own party, and were going to talk to the people who will actually be affected, losing paychecks and muchneeded assistance. Stay with us. A Government Shutdown could be imminent as the house gop is repeatedly failing to reach a deal. But could a consensus be reached with nearly 24 hours left on the clock . Take a listen to House SpeakerKevin Mccarthy tonight. I think if we had a clean one without ukraine on it, we could probably be able to move that through. I think if the senate puts ukraine on there and focuses ukraine over america, i think that could cause real problems. Joining us is republican Congressman Mike Lawler of new york. Thanks for coming on congressman. Tonight mccarthy sending a message to the senate saying they should drop ukraine aid from their bill. If they do, there could potentially be a deal. What do you think . Is that even realistic . I think the most pressing thing right now is to ensure that the American Government is funded and that the American People are not impacted by any potential shutdown. So its critically important that we pass a continuing resolution that can get 218 votes in the house and get obviously 51 votes in the senate. So, you know, we are doing everything we can. Im still here working tonight and through the weekend to avoid a shutdown. And i think putting a c. R. On the floor in the house tomorrow is important. And so you would support one without any funding for ukraine . Look, as somebody who has been a supporter of ukraine funding and will continue to be, the most pressing issue right now is keeping the United States government funded and open. And so whatever it takes to get to 218 votes is important. This is not shirking our commitments to ukraine longterm, but i think the most immediate thing is making sure the United States government is open and the American People will certainly not understand shutting down the government over funding a foreign country. But are the hardliners who have been standing in the way of anything passing and, of course, averting the Government Shutdown, do you see them softening their stance . Do you see an 11th hour, you know 11th hour vote to avert a Government Shutdown . Bring us there on capitol hill where you are right now. Well, look, the speaker put forth a conservative c. R. , and unfortunately 21 of my colleagues voted no. So a conservative c. R. Obviously didnt have 218 votes to pass and get into a place where we are negotiating with the senate. So were in a situation now where you have to pass a bipartisan c. R. Across the floor with less than 24 hours to go to avert a Government Shutdown. And so i think to the speakers point, you know, a clean c. R. With Disaster Relief is probably the fastest and cleanest way to get to 218. If democrats in the house refuse to keep the government open over ukraine, i dont think the American People will understand that too well. And, again, as somebody who supports the effort in ukraine, that doesnt make a lot of sense. How did we get here, though . I mean, you know, at midnight tomorrow, the government will shut down if there is not enough votes. Who do you blame for this mess . I blame a party of one. Ive said that. Matt gaetz has used this as a vehicle to try and take out the speaker. You know, hes threatened to use the motion to vacate. I have no doubt hes going to try to proceed forward with that. You know, but this is a guy whos a career politician. He presents himself as somebody who is standing up against, you know, leadership. Hes fighting back. But this is a guy whose, you know, dad, you know, gave him his seat and basically, you know, pulls the strings here. Hes pushing for a Government Shutdown, and this is a guy who has military bases in his district. Hes going to put our activeduty military in jeopardy. I think its wrong. I think its disgraceful, and i think the way he has tried to allow his personal vendetta against the speaker to hold the American People hostage is wrong. If a shutdown does happen, do you think lawmakers should still be paid, people like matt gaetz . No, absolutely not. And just tonight, i submitted a letter to House Administration declining my pay during any potential shutdown. I think obviously when you have activeduty military who may not receive their paychecks, when you have seniors and veterans who, you know, may be impacted in terms of benefits that they are due, when you have Government Employees who are going to have to show up to work and not be paid all because of, you know, a decision by a few folks, that obviously is unacceptable. So, no, i dont think anybody who is serving in congress should receive their pay during any shutdown. Do you support efforts to oust the speaker . No. I think its absurd. I think it undermines the House Republican majority. We were elected to govern, to serve as a check and balance on joe biden, and i think one individual has allowed petty personal grievances to get in the way of the majority, and its wrong. Congressman mike lawler, thanks for your time tonight. Best of luck to you on capitol hill. Thank you. As lawmakers scramble to find a path out of this problem of their own making, roughly 2. 2 million americans who are federal employees are trying to figure out how long they can go without a paycheck. And that is not even including the 1. 3 million active duty troops and their families. On average, federal workers earn between 55,000 and 65,000 a year. Average pay for an Army Staff Sergeant with eight