Transcripts For MSNBC The Last Word With Lawrence ODonnell 2

You know it was i think theres some theres a thread to pull on, though, with the breakdown of those numbers. With 3 of those 11 being the 3 republican members of the house from south florida, all of whom were contacted by parkland families saying stand with us and not with her, please. For our kids, for our families, for what weve been through. And all 3 of the south Florida Republicans did that. There is something there thats powerful in terms of what those families have been able to do to turn their grief and loss into something constructive for the country and also to use it to force people to confront the humanity behind these issues. And it is i mean, Fred Guttenberg is an incredibly articulate spokesman for what he believes. But theres a connection that parkland families and sandy hook families and other survivors have been able to take to make them be brave. I have to say i dont know where they get the strength to do it. Im just amazed by Fred Guttenberg and other parents who have been able to carry on the way he has. It was of course Fred Guttenberg who made the point tonight of only 11 in his unique and powerful way. Yeah. Thanks, lawrence. I appreciate it, man. Thank you, rachel. Well, the Minority Party in the House Of Representatives is powerless because the house is simple majority rule institution. So the Minority Party only, only gets to define itself by what it opposes. But today House Speaker nancy pelosi gave the minority a chance to vote for what they support, a vote for what they believe in. And almost all of them, 95 of the House Republicans stood up and voted in support of assassination threats on the speaker of the house, antisemitism, attacking children who survive School Shootings, denying that those shootings were real. 199 republican members of the House Of Representatives said today that if you believe all of those things you are one of us. If you have publicly said all of those things, we want you to have all the rights that any member of the house has. And 11 republicans said no. 11 republicans said they would not stand in support of the Deranged Homicidal Madness of congressman Marjorie Greene. The question before the house today was not whether to expel Congresswoman Greene. It was simply to remove her from two house committees. 199 republicans said no, we need her on those committees. We cant possibly formulate Education Policy without Marjorie Greene on the education and Labor Committee. This morning there were 21 republicans on the house education and Labor Committee and now there are 20 because the house voted against her madness and removed her from that committee. And tomorrow no one will notice because there are 28 democrats on that Education Committee. Democrats are in complete control of that committee by a wide margin. It wont matter that there was one less republican vote on the Education Committee, but at least there will be one less uneducable republican on the Education Committee. Education reduced to its essence is to empower people to be able to separate fact from fiction. Marjorie greene confessed today that she does not know how to do that. She said that the statements which got her in trouble, which she did not apologize for today, were made because, quote, i was allowed to believe things that werent true. She did not say who allowed her. So she apparently means that she allowed herself to believe things that werent true. She didnt say what those things are. She did say, quote, School Shootings are absolutely real, but she didnt say which School Shootings. She did say, quote, 9 11 absolutely happened, but she didnt say what happened. Marjorie greene does not dispute that there was an explosion at the Pentagon On 9 11, but she does not believe that a plane hit the Pentagon On 9 11. She believes the entire federal government is lying about that. Marjorie greene did what politicians often do when they are in trouble. She tried to use her children as a shield saying, quote, im a mother of three children and i consider being a mother the greatest blessing of my life. She ended her statement on the house floor today in her defense with a lie. Saying that the news media, quote, is just as guilty as qanon of presenting truth and lies to divide us. And House Rules Committee chairman jim mcgovern immediately responded. Well, first of all, madam speaker, to equate the media to qanon is beyond the pale. I just have to say that, you know, that i did not hear a disavowment or an apology for those things. I did not hear an apology or denouncement for the claim the insinuation that political opponents should be violently dealt with. I didnt hear anybody apologize or retract the antisemitic and islamophobic remarks that have been made, that have been posted over and over and over again. In a courtroom when a witness gets caught lying once, the opposing lawyers will tell the jury that you cannot believe a word that that witness has said. And if you apply that standard to Marjorie Greene, you can never believe anything she says. Her defense today, which was fully supported by 199 republicans was, quote, i never once said any of the things that i am being accused of today during my campaign. I never said any of these things since ive been elected for congress. These were words of the past. And these things do not represent me. Words of the past. 199 republicans today voted for allowing republican members of the house to support the assassination of the speaker as long as they are words of the past and as long as youre talking about a democratic speaker of the House Of Representatives. Those 199 republicans said you dont have to apologize for supporting the assassination of the speaker as long as they were words of the past. And so the minority in the House Of Representatives defined itself today with chilling clarity. They told america that they want to have republican members of the house education and Labor Committee who cannot themselves be educated. They want republican members of the House Education Committee who do not know the difference between truth and lies, do not have the education or the mental Processing Power to tell the difference between fact and fiction. They told america that that is who they want working on Education Policy for the students of this country. And they told america that you can spew antisemitism and you can publicly support assassination, and you will be a welcome member of the Republican Team in the House Of Representatives. They told america if you want to support the Republican Party then you have to welcome antisemites and assassination advocates. You have to be cool with that, comfortable with that. House majority leader steny hoyer has served in the house longer than any other democrat, and he has seen it all. But he has never seen anything like Marjorie Greene. The conduct we are judging today continued to occur even after representative greene became a candidate and even after she was elected. Mr. Speaker, i urge my colleagues to look at this image. I heard about motherhood today. Two of those women between them have six children. Theyre mothers. One of them does not have children. And theyre not the squad. Theyre ilhan. Theyre alexandria. And theyre rashida. They are people. Theyre our colleagues. And this is an ar15 in the hands of ms. Greene. This was on facebook just a few months ago. The squads worst enemy, ar15 in hand. I have never, ever seen that before. Is this a precedentsetting event . It is. An ar15 can carry up to a clip of 60 bullets. I urge my colleagues to look at that image and tell me what message you think it sends. Here she is armed with a deadly Assault Rifle pointing it towards three democratic members. Leading off our discussion tonight alex wagner, cohost and Executive Producer of showtimes the circus and contributing writer at the atlantic. And Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National committee. An msnbc political analyst and host of the Michael Steele podcast. And michael, i want to begin with you about the point i was making about the message that the Republican Party sent out to the country from the House Of Representatives today. How did you read that message to the country from the republicans in the house today . Lawrence, you laid it out expertly. You said it with clarity and the level of conviction that those 199 did not have. It is a heartbreaking moment where only 11 members of my party in the house have an understanding and appreciation of what this particular congresswoman means and what she says and what she stands for and how that makes her unfit to serve in that chamber, why it makes her unfit to be called colleague. And yet as you rightly put it, they embrace the qanon crazy. They embraced everything that she has spewed before. And the sanctimony around the im almost like Kevin Mccarthy going i dont know how to pronounce qanon. Right . Its just not believable. Its just not believable to now come and say oh, i didnt say what you heard me say or i said it before i was a member of congress. I mean there, have been people whove run for office whove got toasted for far less than what she did and what she aid. And so for the fact that the congress decided to act when giving a chance, having given a chance to the leadership to step into their leadership, to do the right thing, and to pull her off of the no one was saying get out of the congress. No, you just cant serve on these committees. Why are you on education, right . They couldnt even do the easy part. And thats whats so disappointing. And they will rue this day, i think. I think the country looks at this and go theres no way in hell you can govern anything. If you cant even deal with this, how are you going to deal with the stuff that really, really is difficult . Because this was easy. This was actually easy. And alex wagner, the speech that steny hoyer made today in the house, not that long ago, within all of our fairly recent memories, would have been supported by virtually every House Republican member, just not that long ago. It was the age before donald trump. Yeah. I mean, ive been spending this week in georgias 14th Congressional District where i was today which is Marjorie Taylor greenes district, and heres what ill tell you, lawrence. I think weve revealed a fundamental truth about the gop in this moment. Down here you talk to republicans and they are quietly if not explicitly appalled that they now have to excuse antisemitic theories, 9 11 trutherism, parkland being a false flag. But, and this is the key but, they understand that the thing that animates Republican Voters and which drives them to the polls is fear. Fear of immigrants, fear of muslims, fear of a changing america, fear of guns being taken away, fear of democratic socialists ruining the country. That is the essence of republican dna at this point. And it is truly not a big leap to go from fear to the paranoia of qanon and Marjorie Taylor greene. She is the natural end point of the path republicans have been leading their flock down for nearly a decade. And there is no escaping that fundamental reality. And thus you have a vote with only 11 House Republicans voting to remove Marjorie Taylor greene from her committees and another vote with 61 republicans voting to remove liz cheney for standing up to the architect of fear, donald trump. Lets listen to what congresswoman omar had to say. She has her life threatened publicly and privately more than any republican member of the house or senate ever has or ever will. Lets listen to what she had to say today. This is about whether it is okay to hold an Assault Rifle next to members heads in a campaign ad and incite Death Threats against them. This is about whether it is okay to encourage the murder of the speaker of the house. As a survivor of civil conflict and civil war, i know Political Violence and political rhetoric does not go away on its own. This is about whether or not we will continue to be a peaceful and functioning democracy. And Michael Steele, the republican answer to that basically from Kevin Mccarthy and others was, well, you know, if you get rid of if you knock congressman greene off her Committee Assignments because of what shes said, then whos next . Nancy pelosis answer to that in a Press Conference was if any democrat did that the democrats she personally would kick them off committees and probably kick them out of the house. Yeah. Exactly. Thats the whos next. The whos next may be another republican whos running for office this upcoming election cycle. And thats what it really goes to what alex just put her finger on. This is so much a part of the dna now that gets repeated over and over and over again. The fear. The victimhood. Just the sheer conspiracy around every corner. That becomes a justification for january 6th. It becomes a justification for the votes that we see taken in the house. And your only response is, oh, well, What Happens Next . Thinking that the democrats would be doing the same thing. Nancy shut it down. She said, no, i would be leading the charge to kick them off committees if not out of the house. Thats what leadership requires in moments like this, where its not about the partisanship in the moment. Its about the leadership in the moment. This is about the House Of Representatives. Lawrence, you know what the republicans dont want you to know and talk about is what actually happened in the halls of that chamber. It wasnt just the knocking down of doors by those insurrectionists who stormed the hill. Its what they did when they got inside. They defecated on the floors. They urinated on the walls. They disrespected their house, our house. And if you cant stand up for that, why are you even there . What will you stand up for . Thats what americas asking tonight. This is not partisan. This is not about, oh, ive got to stand with the republicans or ive got to protect no, this is about our country and our government and the leaders that we charge to protect, serve, defend the constitution. They defecated outside the chamber doors. That doesnt matter to you . Its amazing. And they also took down american flags. Alex wagner, im so glad michael brought it to what they were actually doing in there because theres so much lack of understanding about how this Capitol Campus works. All the buildings are interconnected through underground passages. It functions as one big organism. And so theres a lot of criticism of some members who were not actually in the Capitol Building itself. How could they possibly feel threatened . I know people who were in the Heart Senate Office Building as far away as you can get from the capitol who were terrified in their offices because they know they were all vulnerable. There were passageways, very easily traveled passageways to get to every Single Office of every member, house or senate. Its shocking to me that the day after a the ashes of a Capitol Hill Police officer were placed in honor and all of Congress Sort of took a moment to just process the death that came as a result of the insurrection on january 6th, that today the Republican Party is proposing that they are the victims, that the people who felt threatened, whose hearts were racing, who were terrified that day are being pushed aside as fake. And somehow Marjorie Taylor greene and Kevin Mccarthy as her wing man in this moment are proposing theyre the ones that should be beating the drums. Of grievance. Shes going to have a press Conference Tomorrow and i can virtually guarantee you that the Grievance Playbook is going to be in full effect. That is one of the lenss of the trump era, is Florida Republicans<\/a> did that. There is something there thats powerful in terms of what those families have been able to do to turn their grief and loss into something constructive for the country and also to use it to force people to confront the humanity behind these issues. And it is i mean, Fred Guttenberg<\/a> is an incredibly articulate spokesman for what he believes. But theres a connection that parkland families and sandy hook families and other survivors have been able to take to make them be brave. I have to say i dont know where they get the strength to do it. Im just amazed by Fred Guttenberg<\/a> and other parents who have been able to carry on the way he has. It was of course Fred Guttenberg<\/a> who made the point tonight of only 11 in his unique and powerful way. Yeah. Thanks, lawrence. I appreciate it, man. Thank you, rachel. Well, the Minority Party<\/a> in the House Of Representatives<\/a> is powerless because the house is simple majority rule institution. So the Minority Party<\/a> only, only gets to define itself by what it opposes. But today House Speaker<\/a> nancy pelosi gave the minority a chance to vote for what they support, a vote for what they believe in. And almost all of them, 95 of the House Republicans<\/a> stood up and voted in support of assassination threats on the speaker of the house, antisemitism, attacking children who survive School Shootings<\/a>, denying that those shootings were real. 199 republican members of the House Of Representatives<\/a> said today that if you believe all of those things you are one of us. If you have publicly said all of those things, we want you to have all the rights that any member of the house has. And 11 republicans said no. 11 republicans said they would not stand in support of the Deranged Homicidal Madness<\/a> of congressman Marjorie Greene<\/a>. The question before the house today was not whether to expel Congresswoman Greene<\/a>. It was simply to remove her from two house committees. 199 republicans said no, we need her on those committees. We cant possibly formulate Education Policy<\/a> without Marjorie Greene<\/a> on the education and Labor Committee<\/a>. This morning there were 21 republicans on the house education and Labor Committee<\/a> and now there are 20 because the house voted against her madness and removed her from that committee. And tomorrow no one will notice because there are 28 democrats on that Education Committee<\/a>. Democrats are in complete control of that committee by a wide margin. It wont matter that there was one less republican vote on the Education Committee<\/a>, but at least there will be one less uneducable republican on the Education Committee<\/a>. Education reduced to its essence is to empower people to be able to separate fact from fiction. Marjorie greene confessed today that she does not know how to do that. She said that the statements which got her in trouble, which she did not apologize for today, were made because, quote, i was allowed to believe things that werent true. She did not say who allowed her. So she apparently means that she allowed herself to believe things that werent true. She didnt say what those things are. She did say, quote, School Shootings<\/a> are absolutely real, but she didnt say which School Shootings<\/a>. She did say, quote, 9 11 absolutely happened, but she didnt say what happened. Marjorie greene does not dispute that there was an explosion at the Pentagon On 9<\/a> 11, but she does not believe that a plane hit the Pentagon On 9<\/a> 11. She believes the entire federal government is lying about that. Marjorie greene did what politicians often do when they are in trouble. She tried to use her children as a shield saying, quote, im a mother of three children and i consider being a mother the greatest blessing of my life. She ended her statement on the house floor today in her defense with a lie. Saying that the news media, quote, is just as guilty as qanon of presenting truth and lies to divide us. And House Rules Committee<\/a> chairman jim mcgovern immediately responded. Well, first of all, madam speaker, to equate the media to qanon is beyond the pale. I just have to say that, you know, that i did not hear a disavowment or an apology for those things. I did not hear an apology or denouncement for the claim the insinuation that political opponents should be violently dealt with. I didnt hear anybody apologize or retract the antisemitic and islamophobic remarks that have been made, that have been posted over and over and over again. In a courtroom when a witness gets caught lying once, the opposing lawyers will tell the jury that you cannot believe a word that that witness has said. And if you apply that standard to Marjorie Greene<\/a>, you can never believe anything she says. Her defense today, which was fully supported by 199 republicans was, quote, i never once said any of the things that i am being accused of today during my campaign. I never said any of these things since ive been elected for congress. These were words of the past. And these things do not represent me. Words of the past. 199 republicans today voted for allowing republican members of the house to support the assassination of the speaker as long as they are words of the past and as long as youre talking about a democratic speaker of the House Of Representatives<\/a>. Those 199 republicans said you dont have to apologize for supporting the assassination of the speaker as long as they were words of the past. And so the minority in the House Of Representatives<\/a> defined itself today with chilling clarity. They told america that they want to have republican members of the house education and Labor Committee<\/a> who cannot themselves be educated. They want republican members of the House Education Committee<\/a> who do not know the difference between truth and lies, do not have the education or the mental Processing Power<\/a> to tell the difference between fact and fiction. They told america that that is who they want working on Education Policy<\/a> for the students of this country. And they told america that you can spew antisemitism and you can publicly support assassination, and you will be a welcome member of the Republican Team<\/a> in the House Of Representatives<\/a>. They told america if you want to support the Republican Party<\/a> then you have to welcome antisemites and assassination advocates. You have to be cool with that, comfortable with that. House majority leader steny hoyer has served in the house longer than any other democrat, and he has seen it all. But he has never seen anything like Marjorie Greene<\/a>. The conduct we are judging today continued to occur even after representative greene became a candidate and even after she was elected. Mr. Speaker, i urge my colleagues to look at this image. I heard about motherhood today. Two of those women between them have six children. Theyre mothers. One of them does not have children. And theyre not the squad. Theyre ilhan. Theyre alexandria. And theyre rashida. They are people. Theyre our colleagues. And this is an ar15 in the hands of ms. Greene. This was on facebook just a few months ago. The squads worst enemy, ar15 in hand. I have never, ever seen that before. Is this a precedentsetting event . It is. An ar15 can carry up to a clip of 60 bullets. I urge my colleagues to look at that image and tell me what message you think it sends. Here she is armed with a deadly Assault Rifle<\/a> pointing it towards three democratic members. Leading off our discussion tonight alex wagner, cohost and Executive Producer<\/a> of showtimes the circus and contributing writer at the atlantic. And Michael Steele<\/a>, former chairman of the Republican National<\/a> committee. An msnbc political analyst and host of the Michael Steele<\/a> podcast. And michael, i want to begin with you about the point i was making about the message that the Republican Party<\/a> sent out to the country from the House Of Representatives<\/a> today. How did you read that message to the country from the republicans in the house today . Lawrence, you laid it out expertly. You said it with clarity and the level of conviction that those 199 did not have. It is a heartbreaking moment where only 11 members of my party in the house have an understanding and appreciation of what this particular congresswoman means and what she says and what she stands for and how that makes her unfit to serve in that chamber, why it makes her unfit to be called colleague. And yet as you rightly put it, they embrace the qanon crazy. They embraced everything that she has spewed before. And the sanctimony around the im almost like Kevin Mccarthy<\/a> going i dont know how to pronounce qanon. Right . Its just not believable. Its just not believable to now come and say oh, i didnt say what you heard me say or i said it before i was a member of congress. I mean there, have been people whove run for office whove got toasted for far less than what she did and what she aid. And so for the fact that the congress decided to act when giving a chance, having given a chance to the leadership to step into their leadership, to do the right thing, and to pull her off of the no one was saying get out of the congress. No, you just cant serve on these committees. Why are you on education, right . They couldnt even do the easy part. And thats whats so disappointing. And they will rue this day, i think. I think the country looks at this and go theres no way in hell you can govern anything. If you cant even deal with this, how are you going to deal with the stuff that really, really is difficult . Because this was easy. This was actually easy. And alex wagner, the speech that steny hoyer made today in the house, not that long ago, within all of our fairly recent memories, would have been supported by virtually every House Republican<\/a> member, just not that long ago. It was the age before donald trump. Yeah. I mean, ive been spending this week in georgias 14th Congressional District<\/a> where i was today which is Marjorie Taylor<\/a> greenes district, and heres what ill tell you, lawrence. I think weve revealed a fundamental truth about the gop in this moment. Down here you talk to republicans and they are quietly if not explicitly appalled that they now have to excuse antisemitic theories, 9 11 trutherism, parkland being a false flag. But, and this is the key but, they understand that the thing that animates Republican Voters<\/a> and which drives them to the polls is fear. Fear of immigrants, fear of muslims, fear of a changing america, fear of guns being taken away, fear of democratic socialists ruining the country. That is the essence of republican dna at this point. And it is truly not a big leap to go from fear to the paranoia of qanon and Marjorie Taylor<\/a> greene. She is the natural end point of the path republicans have been leading their flock down for nearly a decade. And there is no escaping that fundamental reality. And thus you have a vote with only 11 House Republicans<\/a> voting to remove Marjorie Taylor<\/a> greene from her committees and another vote with 61 republicans voting to remove liz cheney for standing up to the architect of fear, donald trump. Lets listen to what congresswoman omar had to say. She has her life threatened publicly and privately more than any republican member of the house or senate ever has or ever will. Lets listen to what she had to say today. This is about whether it is okay to hold an Assault Rifle<\/a> next to members heads in a campaign ad and incite Death Threats<\/a> against them. This is about whether it is okay to encourage the murder of the speaker of the house. As a survivor of civil conflict and civil war, i know Political Violence<\/a> and political rhetoric does not go away on its own. This is about whether or not we will continue to be a peaceful and functioning democracy. And Michael Steele<\/a>, the republican answer to that basically from Kevin Mccarthy<\/a> and others was, well, you know, if you get rid of if you knock congressman greene off her Committee Assignments<\/a> because of what shes said, then whos next . Nancy pelosis answer to that in a Press Conference<\/a> was if any democrat did that the democrats she personally would kick them off committees and probably kick them out of the house. Yeah. Exactly. Thats the whos next. The whos next may be another republican whos running for office this upcoming election cycle. And thats what it really goes to what alex just put her finger on. This is so much a part of the dna now that gets repeated over and over and over again. The fear. The victimhood. Just the sheer conspiracy around every corner. That becomes a justification for january 6th. It becomes a justification for the votes that we see taken in the house. And your only response is, oh, well, What Happens Next<\/a> . Thinking that the democrats would be doing the same thing. Nancy shut it down. She said, no, i would be leading the charge to kick them off committees if not out of the house. Thats what leadership requires in moments like this, where its not about the partisanship in the moment. Its about the leadership in the moment. This is about the House Of Representatives<\/a>. Lawrence, you know what the republicans dont want you to know and talk about is what actually happened in the halls of that chamber. It wasnt just the knocking down of doors by those insurrectionists who stormed the hill. Its what they did when they got inside. They defecated on the floors. They urinated on the walls. They disrespected their house, our house. And if you cant stand up for that, why are you even there . What will you stand up for . Thats what americas asking tonight. This is not partisan. This is not about, oh, ive got to stand with the republicans or ive got to protect no, this is about our country and our government and the leaders that we charge to protect, serve, defend the constitution. They defecated outside the chamber doors. That doesnt matter to you . Its amazing. And they also took down american flags. Alex wagner, im so glad michael brought it to what they were actually doing in there because theres so much lack of understanding about how this Capitol Campus<\/a> works. All the buildings are interconnected through underground passages. It functions as one big organism. And so theres a lot of criticism of some members who were not actually in the Capitol Building<\/a> itself. How could they possibly feel threatened . I know people who were in the Heart Senate Office Building<\/a> as far away as you can get from the capitol who were terrified in their offices because they know they were all vulnerable. There were passageways, very easily traveled passageways to get to every Single Office<\/a> of every member, house or senate. Its shocking to me that the day after a the ashes of a Capitol Hill Police<\/a> officer were placed in honor and all of Congress Sort<\/a> of took a moment to just process the death that came as a result of the insurrection on january 6th, that today the Republican Party<\/a> is proposing that they are the victims, that the people who felt threatened, whose hearts were racing, who were terrified that day are being pushed aside as fake. And somehow Marjorie Taylor<\/a> greene and Kevin Mccarthy<\/a> as her wing man in this moment are proposing theyre the ones that should be beating the drums. Of grievance. Shes going to have a press Conference Tomorrow<\/a> and i can virtually guarantee you that the Grievance Playbook<\/a> is going to be in full effect. That is one of the lenss of the trump era, is Gaslighting Trauma<\/a> and training everybodys emotional sights on you. The grievance play book. Well be looking for that tomorrow. Alex wagner, Michael Steele<\/a>, thank you for starting off our discussion tonight. Really appreciate it. Thank you both. And when we come back, donald trump is refusing to testify at his Senate Impeachment<\/a> trial because, you know, thats like under oath stuff. He cant do that. The Chief Prosecutor<\/a> in the Impeachment Trial<\/a> says that Donald Trumps<\/a> refusal to testify, quote, plainly establishes an adverse inference supporting his guilt. Senator Amy Klobuchar<\/a> joins us next. Gillette proglide. Five blades and a Pivoting Flexball<\/a> designed to get virtually every hair on the first stroke. So youre ready for the day with a fresh face for a fresh start. For a limited time get a 5th Cartridge<\/a> free. Research shows that people remember commercials with exciting stunts. So to help you remember that Liberty Mutual<\/a> customizes your Home Insurance<\/a>, heres something you shouldnt try at home. Insurance is cool. Only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. These are real people, not actors, whove got their eczema under control. With less eczema, you can show more skin. So roll up those sleeves. And help heal your skin from within with dupixent. Dupixent is the first treatment of its kind that continuously treats moderatetosevere eczema, or atopic dermatitis, even between flare ups. Dupixent is a biologic, and not a cream or steroid. Many people taking dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin, and, had significantly less itch. Dont use if youre allergic to dupixent. Serious allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, which is severe. Tell your doctor about new or worsening eye problems, such as eye pain or vision changes, or a parasitic infection. If you take asthma medicines, dont change or stop them without talking to your doctor. So help heal your skin from within, and talk to your Eczema Specialist<\/a> about dupixent. If your financial situation has changed, we may be able to help. Jamie raskin, the lead house manager in the Impeachment Trial<\/a> of donald trump, sent a letter to donald trump today requesting his testimony under oath before or during the senate trial. Congressman raskins letter noted if you decline this invitation we reserve any and all rights including the right to establish at trial that your refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding your actions and inaction on january 6, 2021. One of Donald Trumps<\/a> lawyers told nbc news to no ones surprise that donald trump will not testify. Tonight Congressman Raskin<\/a> said, any official accused of inciting armed violence against the government of the United States<\/a> should welcome the chance to testify openly and honestly. That is, if the official had a defense. We will prove at trial that president trumps conduct was indefensible. His immediate refusal to testify speaks volumes and plainly establishes an adverse inference supporting his guilt. Tonight the senate is completing its work on a Budget Resolution<\/a> before the Impeachment Trial<\/a> next week. The Budget Resolution<\/a> is open to amendments on the senate floor by democrats and republicans. Joining us now is democratic senator Amy Klobuchar<\/a> of minnesota. Shes a member of the Senate Judiciary<\/a> committee. Senator klobuchar, let me first of all go to next weeks business, the Impeachment Trial<\/a>. Donald trump invited to testify, refuses to testify. What is your reaction to that . Not surprised. We know what the evidence is, lawrence. You know what happened. He literally told an angry mob to go fight, told them to march down the mall, which they did. He told them the day before to go wild. I guess i quote liz cheney, number three in the house, who said he betrayed his oath. Those are the facts. And i imagine the house were jurors in the case, but the house is going to put forward a very strong case whether or not he testifies. Are you anticipating any other witnesses at this point . Thats in the hands of the house. You are the expert on senate procedure. They will decide if theyre going to call witnesses or not. I think its understandable that theyve asked him to testify and that theyre going to use the fact that he didnt testify as part of their evidence. It is about him. Its about his actions that day. Its about the fact that when he saw on tv and was glued to the screen by all accounts and watched people mobbing into the capitol, trampling on people, killing people, killing a police officer, he didnt really do anything. It took him hours with people trying to convince him to issue a statement. Joe biden, who was at that time the president elect, came out with a strong statement. That the entire senate watched as we were sheltered in place in another room, and everyone applauded when it was done including the republicans. Those are the facts. It wasnt donald trump that tried to stop this. Can you give us any insight as to why Mitch Mcconnell<\/a> decided to take a stand against Congresswoman Greene<\/a> after four years of standing silent in the face of all of the depraved statements made by donald trump . Youd have to ask him and have him on the show, lawrence. I dont know. But what i do know is he gave a very strong statement. And i think its disappointing what House Republicans<\/a> did. She obviously shouldnt be serving on committees with all of the literal constant lies and the things that have come out of her mouth. But the point is there have been some republicans that have stood up, and i dont understand why they wouldnt be united on this. But theyre not. Lets do some Senate Business<\/a>, scheduling. Are you going to get this Budget Resolution<\/a> done tonight or this week . We are going to get this started, yes. And whats happening right now is we have started the Budget Resolution<\/a> so that we can then move forward to get the covid relief to the American People<\/a>, the Joe Biden Relief Plan<\/a> that is so important to get out to people. And you now have, you know, mitt romney coming out for a child tax credit. Youve got 7 out of 10 americans by one poll supporting this plan. But unfortunately our colleagues on the other side of the aisle whether in good faith went to talk to President Biden<\/a> and Vice President<\/a> harris. What youve seen is they are trying to block this right now. And so we are going through a series of votes. Its not a horrible atmosphere out there to tell you the truth. Some votes are bipartisan, and were just going to go through the night and do what it takes to deliver the relief to the American People<\/a>. And this will, of course, launch the bill. And so the schedule next week, will it be full days of trial . Do you know at this point . Or partial days of senate trial and other parts of the day for other Senate Business<\/a> . I do. Our hope and you and i have talked about this, that the American People<\/a> are juggling a bunch of stuff and we have to, too. Right now the plan is to have of the Nomination Hearings<\/a> in the mornings, and were going to continue to do everything we can. And ive been proud of the fact weve gotten a lot of the nominees through, with the very important one with Merrick Garland<\/a> to go. As far as i know, Senator Durbin<\/a> and a group of us are trying to get that forward next week. I dont think theyre going to agree to that, but we have to do that the following week. We have to get an Attorney General<\/a> in place given all these cases that are coming out of this insurrection. We need someone in charge of the justice department. And what is the full schedule for the covid relief bill including the reconciliation piece . Do you know yet when you expect to get the final bill through the house and senate . Well, i would imagine that will take a few weeks. But its one of the reasons while in the Perfect World<\/a> joe biden would be loving to negotiate this. Hes good at that. But we cant wait when the numbers are that far off, when we know that individual americans need help. Something republicans have supported with direct payments. We know that we have to get that money out for Vaccine Delivery<\/a> right now. We cant wait. We know we have to help our schools, and thats why i believe you see such strong support from the American Public<\/a> for this plan. This is the only way through this complicated Budget Reconciliation<\/a> which allows us to get a 51vote margin to get this done. Our party is united on moving forward in this way, and i believe we could get this done in a matter of weeks. Of course as we go through the impeachment hearing. Thats not slowing us down. Whats unfortunately slowing us down is were going to have to use this procedure, but we will get it done. Senator klobuchar, i know youre staying close to the senate floor so you wont miss a minute of the voting out there. Really appreciate you squeezing us in tonight, senator klobuchar. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. And when we come back, america is back. That was President Biden<\/a>s message today. And he deliberately chose a location for that message that would get the attention of every government in the world, especially the russian government. Thats next. Woo you are busy. Working, parenting, problem solving. At new Chapter Vitamins<\/a> weve been busy too. Innovating, sourcing organic ingredients, testing them and fermenting. Fermenting . Yeah like kombucha or yogurt. And we formulate everything so your body can really truly absorb the natural goodness. Thats what we do, so you can do you. New chapter wellness, well done. My Psoriatic Arthritis<\/a> pain . 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Theyre collected and separated from other plastics, so they can be turned back into material that we use to make new bottles. That completes the circle, and reduces Plastic Waste<\/a>. Please help us get every bottle back. Oroweat bread. Gathering, baking and delivering the goodness of nature. From one generation to the next and from seed to slice. Ahhh. Ahhh. Ahhh. Ah. America is back. America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our Foreign Policy<\/a>. Today President Joe Biden<\/a> went to the State Department<\/a> to tell everyone working there and the world that america is back. And President Biden<\/a> showed how a real president can make important progress with russia while also sharply rebuking Vladimir Putin<\/a>. By leading with diplomacy we must also mean engaging our adversaries and our competitors diplomatically. Where its in our interest to advance the security of the American People<\/a>. Thats why yesterday the United States<\/a> and russia agreed to extend the new star treaty for five years to preserve the only remaining treaty between our countries safeguarding nuclear stability. At the same time i made it clear to President Putin<\/a> in a manner very different from my predecessor that the days of the United States<\/a> rolling over in the face of russias aggressive actions, interfering with our elections, cyber attacks, poisoning its citizens, are over. We will not hesitate to raise the cost on russia and defend our vital interest and our people. Before giving that speech President Biden<\/a> met with a Smaller Group<\/a> of state Department Staff<\/a> and said this. I believe in you. We need you badly. I trust you. And im going to have your back. That i promise you. And in our administration youre going to be trusted and youre going to be empowered. Joining us now is michael carpenter, who served in the Obama White House<\/a> as Foreign Policy<\/a> adviser to vice President Biden<\/a> and as director for russia at the National Security<\/a> counsel. Hes a former Career Foreign Service<\/a> officer. And michael, there is something that joe biden did and described today that i have to say i do not understand. It is an art of statecraft in Foreign Relations<\/a> that i find really obviously tricky. Hes condemning Vladimir Putin<\/a> and condemning what Vladimir Putin<\/a> does with his citizens, does around the world, tampering with our election all of that. At the very same time he has successfully over the last few days negotiated with Vladimir Putin<\/a> an agreement to extend the start treaty for five years. And im sitting over here not knowing how that is done, and im sure im not the only whos going to listen to you now who doesnt know how that is done. How does the president do that . Hes not the first president to have these dual tensions going on in dealing with a country, but how did he get it done this time . And how is it done generally . Well, i think the president is very keen on working wherever he can with our democratic allies and partners around the world to achieve success. But when it comes to our adversaries, hes not shy about imposing costs or confronting them or competing with them when necessary in all domains, military, diplomatic, economic, technological, you name it. But where there are shared interests, he will pursue them vigorously. And hes shown that with his approach to russia. So hes approached putin from a position of strength saying he wont hesitate to impose costs which could include sanctions and other measures. But at the same time its clearly in our National Security<\/a> interest to have a modicum of strategic stability between our two nations and that includes limiting a Nuclear Arms Race<\/a> by keeping in place those limitations on Nuclear Weapons<\/a> and Delivery Systems<\/a> that the new start treaty provides. So he has juggled both of those things in the opening days of his administration. And i think that will presage his policy towards other competitors as well. What do you think is going to happen on Alexei Navalnys<\/a> case in the Biden White House<\/a> . What do they do with that file . How do they press the case with Vladimir Putin<\/a> . Yeah. Well, when it comes to Alexei Navalny<\/a> and other human rights cases in russia, i think the administration youve already seen the administration is not shy about calling out Human Rights Abuses<\/a> when they see them. President biden has called for the unconditional release of navalny. I think they wont be hesitating to use tools like sanctions and other instruments to hold russia accountable, to impose costs and consequences for their actions. And i think well see that with russia, with china across the board. Already the president has spoken about chinas horrific Human Rights Abuses<\/a> as well. And yet hes indicated a willingness to work with china say on Climate Change<\/a> and other issues where our interests might align. Michael carpenter, thank you very much for joining us tonight. Really appreciate it. My pleasure. Thank you. Coming up, House Democrats<\/a> shared their personal experiences of the invasion of the capitol on the House Floor Tonight<\/a>. Congresswoman alexandria ocasiocortez said the special hour on the house floor was reserved for her control tonight, quote, so that every time a republican says we need to move on and forget about it, they are reminded about what theyre trying to absolve and excuse. 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Tonight a group of House Democrats<\/a> led by alexandria ocasiocortez used an hour on the floor of the house to describe their experiences and feelings during the invasion of the capitol on january 6th. I didnt even get sworn in yet and someone wanted me dead for just existing. More came later, uglier, more violent. Each one paralyzed me each time. So what happened on january 6th all i could do was thank allah that i wasnt here. I felt overwhelming relief and i felt so bad for so many of my colleagues that saw it. But i thought to myself thank god i am not there. I feel like this is one of the days out there on the streets when the White Supremacists<\/a> would show up and start shooting at us. This is one of the days when police would ambush us from behind trees and behind buildings and afl sudden now were on the ground being brutalized. It felt like one of those days. And i just remember taking a second thinking if they touch these doors, if they hit these doors the way they hit that door, if they hit these doors and come anywhere near my staff and im just going to be real honest about it, my Thought Process<\/a> was we banging till the end. I saw Capitol Police<\/a> officers with guns from their holsters, and i looked at these men and women, and i tried at that moment to imagine what was it like for them that they actually had to have a weapon out. They had families. They had responsibility, and whatever fear they may have felt, their duty was to protect us. And they were going to do it no matter what. And how small i felt at that moment. Joining us now is democratic congressman peter welch of vermont. Hes a member of the house intelligence committee. Congressman welch, thank you very much for joining us tonight. When i was listening to you on the floor tonight i thought i worked around the Capitol Police<\/a> for many, many years working in the senate, obviously never saw a gun drawn and never dreamed of them having to draw their guns. Well, you worked around them and you know how wonderful people they are. A lot of those folks, theyve got families. They commuted here from the far suburbs an hour and a half away, and theyre there to protect us. And they were the people that the trump mob was attacking. It wasnt just the members of congress. It wasnt just hang mike pence, it wasnt just put a bullet in the head of nancy pelosi. It was these incredibly hardworking everyday people. And they were put in a position where their duty may require them to fire a gun to protect the members of congress. It was terrible. Congressman dean philips said something on the floor tonight that i found quite striking, hadnt thought about before he said it. And this is true of everything i was hearing from all of you. Lets listen to what congressman philips had to say. I felt that the insurrectionists who were trying to break down the doors right here would spare us if they simply mistook us for republicans. But within moments i recognized that blending in was not an option available to my colleagues of color. So im here tonight to say to my Brothers And Sisters<\/a> in congress and all around our country, im sorry. Im sorry. For i had never understood, really understood what privilege really means. Its true in that body that race was one of the ways you could decide who was a republican and who was a democrat when you dont recognize them. Im sure most of those people wouldnt recognize most members of congress. That was pretty powerful, and that was right. Because we had one of our colleagues urging us to take our pins off so we could, quote, blend in as dean said. But the fact is that some of our africanamerican colleagues, in the Covid Environment<\/a> after we did escape the gallery and the floor, the pin was what was going to protect them from their experience where violence would come their way because of their race. I want to listen to more of what Congresswoman Cori Bush<\/a> had to say. What she had to say was so powerful as were all of the comments tonight. We cant build a Better Society<\/a> if members are too scared to stand up and act to reject the white supremacist attack that happened right before our eyes. How can we trust that you will address the suffering that White Supremacy<\/a> causes on a daytoday basis in the shadows if you cant even address the White Supremacy<\/a> that happens right in front of you in your house . Does your silence speak to your agreement is the question. And congressman welch, that is the question. I havent heard any republican members of the house taking on specifically what we know about those invaders, including the nazis who were among them, one of them wearing a jersey celebrating the auschwitz death camp. Its exactly right. In fact, cori bush and alexandria ocasiocortez really embraced the notion that we have to name it. And the push from Kevin Mccarthy<\/a> is like hey, fellals, lets get over it, its not that big a deal, its behind us, lets move on. And what both cori and alexandria said i think with great power was that name it, just dont ignore it. And be responsible for it. And thats essentially what were now in the effort of doing. Weve got a president who summoned the mob, he incited the mob and he instructed the mob to march to the capitol and cause trouble. And thats what happened and they are naming it. We do want unity. All of us do. Weve got this wonderful democracy. But that requires accountability. Congressman peter welch, you all bore witness to that event tonight in ways that i have not heard before. Really expanded my understanding of what happened. And we really thank you for joining us tonight. Thank you, lawrence. Well be right back. Alexandria ocasiocortez will get the last word. Get the last word. sneeze skip to cold relief fast. Alkaseltzer plus power max gels. With 25 more concentrated power. Oh, what a relief it is so Fast Research<\/a> shows that people remember commercials with exciting stunts. So to help you remember that Liberty Mutual<\/a> customizes your Home Insurance<\/a>, heres something you shouldnt try at home. Look, Liberty Mutual<\/a> customizes Home Insurance<\/a> so we only pay for what we need. Its pretty cool. That is cool grandma very cool. Only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. It only takes a second for an everyday item to become dangerous. Tide pods childguard pack helps keep your laundry pacs in a safe place and your child safer. To close, twist until it clicks. Tide pods childguard packaging. Mornings were made for Better Things<\/a> than Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/a>. When considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz. A pill for adults with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/a> when methotrexate has not helped enough. Xeljanz can help relieve joint pain and swelling, stiffness, and helps stop further joint damage, even without methotrexate. Xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections. Before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections, like tb and do blood tests. Tell your doctor if youve had hepatitis b or c, have flulike symptoms, or are prone to infections. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. Taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra may increase risk of death. Tears in the stomach or intestines and serious allergic reactions have happened. Dont let another morning go by without asking your doctor about the pill first prescribed for ra more than seven years ago. Xeljanz. Congresswoman alexandria ocasiocortez closed the hour of reflection on the House Floor Tonight<\/a> about the invasion of the capitol with these words. Thank you so much. Lastly, id like to close speaking to the individuals, some of the individuals that have already been mentioned and some of the folks that have already been mentioned in prior remarks. Our staff, our Capitol Police<\/a>, our house clerks. We thank you. We know how many of you were put in the line of danger because of the job that you have we know and felt how many staffers were willing to put themselves on the line in order to protect the members that they serve alongside. And that is a weight that no one should have to carry. And so we thank you. To our house clerks, we thank you. To every single staff member of the United States<\/a> congress, we thank you. To our food service workers, we thank you. To our custodial workers, sweeping up the glass on the floor shattered by White Supremacists<\/a>, cleaning up after their mess, there is not enough ways to say thank you. We thank you. To our Capitol Police<\/a> who were willing to defend us, we thank you. And again, to our staffers, we thank you. I would be remiss if i did not specifically thank my staffer right here to my left, geraldo bonilla chavez, who was with me on the day of the attack and who did everything he could to protect me. I want his community to know that he is a hero. I want his parents and his family to know that hes a hero. Our staff already know that hes a hero. And i believe hes a hero too. And i know its not just him. Hell be the first one to say that. But to every one of our house clerks, we thank you. To our Capitol Police<\/a>, we thank you. To our food service workers, our custodial workers, every person here that was standing to fight for our democracy, we thank you. And with that, madam speaker, i yield my time. Alexandria ocasiocortez gets tonights last word. The 11th hour with Brian Williams<\/a> starts now. Again, day 16 of the Biden Administration<\/a> as we come on the air tonight, there is major news that will no doubt raise the temperatures of our politics along with the possibility that we may soon see another Coronavirus Vaccine<\/a> in this country. As we all watch the Republican Party<\/a> in the process very publicly of deciding what it wants to be, who its leaders are they voted to remove Marjorie Taylor<\/a> greene of georgia from both of the committees she served on as recently as this afternoon. The Education Committee<\/a> and budget committee, despite near unanimous opposition from her party. 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