Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom With John Berman And Poppy

The latest news from around the world with hosts John Berman and Poppy Harlow. At one Point Gary Palmer was defending and blasting his colleagues who were criticizing sessions. But gary palmer told me he has his own problems with sessions. He specifically listed some of the things that the president was tweeting about this morning regarding Document Production to congress, Rod Rosenstein perhaps not the best person to be working in the Justice Department, according to him. He was unhappy with certain things that sessions was doing. I think its really interesting, the conversation is changing. I dont think thats a good sign for sessions. Its a matter of time, i think, before he goes. Ryan, help me understand with all of the things you listed, including the civil threats, why does it behoove him or does he think it does to have this spat with the Attorney General . I love being on with rachel. She brings fresh reporting. Isnt that interesting . We should have booked him. You know, i think thats really fascinating that what Lindsey Graham said. Graham has been a sort of defender of the Justice Department, has tried his best to steer trump towards not doing anything too stupid, tried to argue that trump just at the very least politically if not just for democracy sake that he shouldnt interfere with the investigations, he shouldnt fire anyone. I do find it really interesting that graham is just sort of out there saying that sessions days are numbered, which i think undermines sessions quite a bit. It makes him look like a lame duck. Thats a Key Development there. I think trump has been informed that he cant fire sessions because if he fires him, the senate has to confirm a new nominee and thats a tough battle. If sessions resigns i think i have the law right here the vacancies act might allow trump to replace him temporarily. It does, for a short period of time. So trumps whole game here is to push this guy out, force him to resign. Sessions obviously realizes that. The important thing, not to be too idealistic, the important thing for our democracy is i think that Satisfactiessions St Trump and said, you know, my Oath Of Office is essentially is more important here. He is siding with the law and with the Justice Department and its independence against the president. Not an easy thing to do but the right thing do. It is stunning to me. We have to leave it there. Perhaps democrats who railed against Jeff Sessions are hoping that he stays in his job right now. Liberal hero, Jeff Sessions. What a headline. Thank you. Lets turn to david pecker, the second long time alil allye president to turn on him. We dont know what david pecker knows. A prosecutor thought what he had to say was worth enough to give him immunity. Reporter exactly right. Not only did the prosecutor believe that david pecker had something of value to him, but we also know separately that david pecker had this relationship with President Trump in which he helped the president , then candidate trump, Squash Negative stories during the campaign, paying two women who accused who alleged they had affairs with the president at a critical time during the campaign. We know that there is information that pecker knows about President Trump or knew at that time that the president sought to keep secret. The Wall Street Journal is reporting he is cooperating, that he in exchange for not being prosecuted is cooperating with investigators as part of the broader probe involving Michael Cohen, these payments to these women. This is the second really important development in that case, one that we know is one that the president worries about, because its not just about the mueller probe, its not just about the president s businesses or about these women, its also about his family and about a lot of private issues that the president had sought to keep under wraps. I think this is a Major Development that david pecker is someone the president can no longer count on to keep his secrets and keep them under wraps. Abby, thanks for all the reporting this morning at the white house. There may be even another legal headache for the president. The New York Times is reporting that the Manhattan District Attorneys Office may look into possible criminal charges against the Trump Organization. Cara is back with us. This is the manhattan d. A. Looking at the Trump Organization. Why . They are looking into how they accounted for the reimbursement that was paid toMichael Cohen who paid Stormy Daniels to keep quiet and not go public with her affair. This would be an investigation looking into how the Trump Organization and two officials the times have reported, two executives, whether they properly accounted for the payment. Allan weiselberg spoke he was subpoenaed by the Southern District of new york. He is someone that a lot of people are familiar with his name but has worked in trump world forever, hired by trumps father, knows a lot. Do we have a sense if he is one of the officials . It doesnt say that. We did hear his name in that tape that Michael Cohen had provided to cnn. Because he was referring to him in talking telling donald trump that he was going to talk to allen about setting up a company to pay off to ami. Mcdougal. He is someone that Michael Cohen has at least put into the frame as someone who is in charge of that. At the time, we had that tape, the Trump Organization attorney said he was the bookkeeper, he handles the money. Thank you. Important reporting. Let us know what you hear at that develops. Still to come, we break down the legal headlines. What does this mean for the president . A Top Republican donor says the cohen news this week was an earthquake. We will talk to him live. We take you to yemen where once again children are caught in the middle of a deadly air strike. Who was behind it . Were on it. Pah that will never work. On the new sleep number 360 smart bed. It senses your movement and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. And now, all beds are on sale. Save 50 on the new sleep number 360 limited Edition Smart bed. Plus, free home delivery. Ends saturday. I was on the fence about changing from a manual to an electric toothbrush. But my hygienist said going electric could lead to way Cleaner Teeth. She said, get the one inspired by dentists, with a round brush head. Go pro with oralb. Oralbs gentle rounded brush head removes more plaque along the gum line. For Cleaner Teeth and healthier gums. And unlike sonicare, oralb is the First Electric toothbrush brand accepted by the ada for its effectiveness and safety. What an amazing clean ill only use an oralb oralb. Brush like a pro. A conviction, a guilty plea, an Immunity Deal in a week. With friends like these, who needs enemies . Steve vladik and David Weinstein join me. Steve, lets talk about the flip. The latest one. That would be david pecker. Getting immunity from prosecutors to flip on the president and immunity is not an easy thing to get. Lets listen to what a man who worked with pecker high up at ami said to me last night when i asked him, you know, are you surprised that he would flip on the president. Listen. We dont have it. He said to me, im stunned. But he also said to me, steve, that essentially david pecker puts himself and his business before everything else. What does it tell you that prosecutors were willing to give him immunity . I think it tells you what the prosecutors goal is here. The goal seems making sure they can build as strong a case as possible if not against the president , then against those around him, his business enterprises, the Trump Organization. All other considerations, including the potential liability of mr. Pecker himself, perhaps even ami, really were secondary. If im President Trump, thats an awfully ominous sign. Whats your read, david . In terms of the legal line that pecker apparently thinks he needed immunity from, where is the legal line for a Media Company like ami . The First Amendment gives you wide latitude for the press. But theres some line that apparently pecker thinks maybe they crossed, that he would need to take an Immunity Deal. He went pretty far across the line. He got the golden card. They gave him transactional use immunity. He has gone across the board and he has been given transactional immunity, from prosecution in new york Federal District court, potentially in washington by the Special Prosecutor and to some extent, if they are willing to buy in, the prosecutors in new york looking at this. He had to try and balance this First Amendment privilege, but he didnt do a very good job. It wasnt just about him getting the news out. It was about him hiding the news and conspireing with people to violate the Campaign Finance laws. Thats the key part, right . Its not about squashing a story. It may be ugly, dirty business, but its legal. Its about did you do it was it an in kind donation to a campaign, is that the question . Exactly so. I think the key to understand here is this is not a general abstract question about whether a newspaper, a Media Organization can get in trouble as a general matter for not running the story. Its in the specific context of a campaign cycle. Lets remember, pretty late in the campaign cycle. Media organization is quashing the story for the specific purpose of aiding one candidate over the other. Thats why federal Campaign Finance laws have something to say about it and why he needed, as david said, transactional immunity in order to testify. David, to you. Jason miller was on with me earlier this week. He was an adviser, high up to the president s campaign. He essentially this was on monday night pinned it on Michael Cohen. Michael cohen im paraphrasing he should have been advising the press when th the president when he had the conversation about the payoff. How are prosecutors going to see that . Are they going to say you have to know Campaign Finance laws, too . I think its implied in all of this. The president can try and step back and insulate himself and if im defending him im going to say im running for Public Office and im letting the people around me advise me what i should and shouldnt be doing. Its implied in the fact that you are running you have at least a Working Knowledge of what this Campaign Finance law is. Thats why these coconspirators, whether unindicted, are the people who are now circling back around and the governments able to prove their case against everybody who is involved. The safe, steve. The Associated Press is reporting that there was a literal safe at the tabloid, at the national enquirer, that held documents documenting these negative stories about trump that were squashed. I dont know if you are the investigators. You are looking for that safe right now or you have that safe right now. I would think that if were up to this point, they have the safe. I think the Fiction Writers carried away. You dont buy it . No, no, im sure i do. Im saying, i think they have it by now. The president is not a nafe. When john edwards got in trouble for a similar violation, the president tweeted about it. Once again, his own twitter account comes back to bite him. It shows he has pretty sophisticated awareness of what the rules are. Thats such a good point. The president also said that the national enquirer, david, should have won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking the edwards story. When it came down to legally Prosecuting Edwards for that, he came out on top. They are really apples to apples. They are. The best advice i can give a client is not to say anything. Your words will always come back to bite you, whatever they are. This is a client who doesnt seem to listen to his lawyers when they give him that type of advice. Thank you both. Steve, david, have a nice weekend. You do the same. You too. Still ahead, a story we have been following closely here. Now a second deadly air strike in yemen that has claimed the lives of 22 children. This just weeks after that school bus filled with children was bombed by those Saudi Coalition forces. We will bring you the latest ahead. Its the sears labor day event . Where you can shop with confidence and convenience plus get these 4 benefits from kenmore at sears. Up to fifty percent off appliances with your sears card. Like this washer and dryer for 539. 99 each. And this refrigerator for 899. 99. Hurry in to sears today. But we wont get there without you. Join the fight with the alzheimers association. You shouldnt be rushed into booking a hotel. With expedias addon advantage, booking a Flight Unlocks discounts on select hotels until the day you leave for your trip. Addon advantage. Only when you book with expedia. Hundred roads named park in the u. S. Its americas most popular street name. But Allstate Agents know thats where the similarity stops. If youre on park street in reno, nevada, the high winds of the Washoe Zephyr could damage your siding. And thats very different than living on park ave in sheboygan, wisconsin, where ice dams could cause water damage. But no matter what park you live on, one of 10,000 local Allstate Agents knows yours. Now that you know the truth, are you in good hands . For a limited time, when you get fast, reliable internet, you can add voice for just 24. 95 more per month. Call or go online today. Call or go on line today. Welcome back. As you know on this show, we have been closely following the Saudiled Coalition air strikes in yemen that continue to kill children. Overnight, there were more. According to the houthicontrolled health ministry, 22 children were killed. Children fleeing an earlier bombing. This is the latest flashpoint in yemens ongoing civil war. Earlier this month, another saudiled air strike killed 51 people, 40 of them kids. Cnn confirmed the bomb used in that attack was made by a top u. S. Defense contractor. When i woke up to the news this morning, i was appalled but not surprised. What are you hearing . Sadly, neither are the people on the ground. We managed to speak to a surviving family member. He described just real heartbreak there. Not only were there air strikes in the village that this family were fleeing, but the air strikes continued even as the first people to arrive on the scene were attempting to evacuate those who had been able to survive this attack. Again, similarly to what it was like when we were reporting on the bus attack. We cant show you the footage because its just too graphic. But there is an absolutely heartbreaking scene where an old man is pulling together the remains of his son and his daughterinlaw and their children. The bomb strike was so hard and so extreme that he is managing to wrap the remnants in a sheet, the remnants of a family of six or seven people, all managed to fit into the sheet. Its absolutely horrifying. The air strikes continue, poppy. Of course, all of this is happening white the investigation into that bus attack has yet to deliver its findings. We know because of your reporting that the bomb used in the previous bus attack that killed all those innocent kids was u. S. Made. Now big picture here, what is the u. S. Role in all of this . The u. S. Is backing the Saudi Coalition. What is being done to reduce the civilian casualties . Thats the question that increasingly u. S. Lawmakers are asking. You had the connecticut senator chris murphy attempting to table an amendment to the act that governs u. S. Arm sales to saudi arabia. That was blocked. You can feel the pressure. Its the the conversation moved from are the saudis in violation of International Law to, well, is the u. S. In violation of the International Arms treaty . Of course, all the partners to that treaty have to be able to say we believe these arms are not going to be used in ways in violation of humanitarian law and we are convinced of that. Increasingly, given Whats Happening in yemen, its growing difficult for the u. S. And the Trump Administration to be able to say that with conviction. Because of this, 100 million Point Gary Palmer<\/a> was defending and blasting his colleagues who were criticizing sessions. But gary palmer told me he has his own problems with sessions. He specifically listed some of the things that the president was tweeting about this morning regarding Document Production<\/a> to congress, Rod Rosenstein<\/a> perhaps not the best person to be working in the Justice Department<\/a>, according to him. He was unhappy with certain things that sessions was doing. I think its really interesting, the conversation is changing. I dont think thats a good sign for sessions. Its a matter of time, i think, before he goes. Ryan, help me understand with all of the things you listed, including the civil threats, why does it behoove him or does he think it does to have this spat with the Attorney General<\/a> . I love being on with rachel. She brings fresh reporting. Isnt that interesting . We should have booked him. You know, i think thats\rreally fascinating that what Lindsey Graham<\/a> said. Graham has been a sort of defender of the Justice Department<\/a>, has tried his best to steer trump towards not doing anything too stupid, tried to argue that trump just at the very least politically if not just for democracy sake that he shouldnt interfere with the investigations, he shouldnt fire anyone. I do find it really interesting that graham is just sort of out there saying that sessions days are numbered, which i think undermines sessions quite a bit. It makes him look like a lame duck. Thats a Key Development<\/a> there. I think trump has been informed that he cant fire sessions because if he fires him, the senate has to confirm a new nominee and thats a tough battle. If sessions resigns i think i have the law right here the vacancies act might allow trump to replace him temporarily. It does, for a short period of time. So trumps whole game here is to push this guy out, force him to resign. Sessions obviously realizes that. The important thing, not to be too idealistic, the important thing for our democracy is i think that Satisfactiessions St Trump<\/a> and said, you know, my Oath Of Office<\/a> is essentially is more important here. He is siding with the law and with the Justice Department<\/a> and its independence against the president. Not an easy thing to do but the right thing do. It is stunning to me. We have to leave it there. Perhaps democrats who railed against Jeff Sessions<\/a> are hoping that he stays in his job right now. Liberal hero, Jeff Sessions<\/a>. What a headline. Thank you. Lets turn to david pecker, the second long time alil allye president to turn on him. We dont know what david pecker knows. A prosecutor thought what he had to say was worth enough to give him immunity. Reporter exactly right. Not only did the prosecutor believe that david pecker had something of value to him, but we also know separately that david pecker had this relationship with President Trump<\/a> in which he helped the president , then candidate trump, Squash Negative<\/a> stories during the campaign, paying two women who accused who alleged they had affairs with the president at a critical time during the campaign. We know that there is information that pecker knows about President Trump<\/a> or knew at that time that the president sought to keep secret. The Wall Street Journal<\/a> is reporting he is cooperating, that he in exchange for not being prosecuted is cooperating with investigators as part of the broader probe involving Michael Cohen<\/a>, these payments to these women. This is the second really\rimportant development in that case, one that we know is one that the president worries about, because its not just about the mueller probe, its not just about the president s businesses or about these women, its also about his family and about a lot of private issues that the president had sought to keep under wraps. I think this is a Major Development<\/a> that david pecker is someone the president can no longer count on to keep his secrets and keep them under wraps. Abby, thanks for all the reporting this morning at the white house. There may be even another legal headache for the president. The New York Times<\/a> is reporting that the Manhattan District Attorneys Office<\/a> may look into possible criminal charges against the Trump Organization<\/a>. Cara is back with us. This is the manhattan d. A. Looking at the Trump Organization<\/a>. Why . They are looking into how they accounted for the reimbursement that was paid to\rMichael Cohen<\/a> who paid Stormy Daniels<\/a> to keep quiet and not go public with her affair. This would be an investigation looking into how the Trump Organization<\/a> and two officials the times have reported, two executives, whether they properly accounted for the payment. Allan weiselberg spoke he was subpoenaed by the Southern District<\/a> of new york. He is someone that a lot of people are familiar with his name but has worked in trump world forever, hired by trumps father, knows a lot. Do we have a sense if he is one of the officials . It doesnt say that. We did hear his name in that tape that Michael Cohen<\/a> had provided to cnn. Because he was referring to him in talking telling donald trump that he was going to talk to allen about setting up a company to pay off to ami. Mcdougal. He is someone that Michael Cohen<\/a> has at least put into the\rframe as someone who is in charge of that. At the time, we had that tape, the Trump Organization<\/a> attorney said he was the bookkeeper, he handles the money. Thank you. Important reporting. Let us know what you hear at that develops. Still to come, we break down the legal headlines. What does this mean for the president . A Top Republican<\/a> donor says the cohen news this week was an earthquake. We will talk to him live. We take you to yemen where once again children are caught in the middle of a deadly air strike. Who was behind it . Were on it. Pah that will never work. On the new sleep number 360 smart bed. It senses your movement and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. And now, all beds are on sale. Save 50 on the new sleep number 360 limited Edition Smart<\/a> bed. Plus, free home delivery. Ends saturday. I was on the fence about changing from a manual to an electric toothbrush. But my hygienist said going electric could lead to way Cleaner Teeth<\/a>. She said, get the one inspired by dentists, with a round brush head. Go pro with oralb. Oralbs gentle rounded brush head removes more plaque along the gum line. For Cleaner Teeth<\/a> and healthier gums. And unlike sonicare, oralb is the First Electric<\/a> toothbrush brand accepted by the ada for its effectiveness and safety. What an amazing clean ill only use an oralb oralb. Brush like a pro. A conviction, a guilty plea, an Immunity Deal<\/a> in a week. With friends like these, who needs enemies . Steve vladik and David Weinstein<\/a> join me. Steve, lets talk about the flip. The latest one. That would be david pecker. Getting immunity from prosecutors to flip on the president and immunity is not an easy thing to get. Lets listen to what a man who worked with pecker high up at ami said to me last night when i asked him, you know, are you surprised that he would flip on the president. Listen. We dont have it. He said to me, im stunned. But he also said to me, steve, that essentially david pecker puts himself and his business before everything else. What does it tell you that prosecutors were willing to give\rhim immunity . I think it tells you what the prosecutors goal is here. The goal seems making sure they can build as strong a case as possible if not against the president , then against those around him, his business enterprises, the Trump Organization<\/a>. All other considerations, including the potential liability of mr. Pecker himself, perhaps even ami, really were secondary. If im President Trump<\/a>, thats an awfully ominous sign. Whats your read, david . In terms of the legal line that pecker apparently thinks he needed immunity from, where is the legal line for a Media Company<\/a> like ami . The First Amendment<\/a> gives you wide latitude for the press. But theres some line that apparently pecker thinks maybe they crossed, that he would need to take an Immunity Deal<\/a>. He went pretty far across the\rline. He got the golden card. They gave him transactional use immunity. He has gone across the board and he has been given transactional immunity, from prosecution in new york Federal District<\/a> court, potentially in washington by the Special Prosecutor<\/a> and to some extent, if they are willing to buy in, the prosecutors in new york looking at this. He had to try and balance this First Amendment<\/a> privilege, but he didnt do a very good job. It wasnt just about him getting the news out. It was about him hiding the news and conspireing with people to violate the Campaign Finance<\/a> laws. Thats the key part, right . Its not about squashing a story. It may be ugly, dirty business, but its legal. Its about did you do it was it an in kind donation to a campaign, is that the question . Exactly so. I think the key to understand here is this is not a general abstract question about whether\ra newspaper, a Media Organization<\/a> can get in trouble as a general matter for not running the story. Its in the specific context of a campaign cycle. Lets remember, pretty late in the campaign cycle. Media organization is quashing the story for the specific purpose of aiding one candidate over the other. Thats why federal Campaign Finance<\/a> laws have something to say about it and why he needed, as david said, transactional immunity in order to testify. David, to you. Jason miller was on with me earlier this week. He was an adviser, high up to the president s campaign. He essentially this was on monday night pinned it on Michael Cohen<\/a>. Michael cohen im paraphrasing he should have been advising the press when th the president when he had the conversation about the payoff. How are prosecutors going to see\rthat . Are they going to say you have to know Campaign Finance<\/a> laws, too . I think its implied in all of this. The president can try and step back and insulate himself and if im defending him im going to say im running for Public Office<\/a> and im letting the people around me advise me what i should and shouldnt be doing. Its implied in the fact that you are running you have at least a Working Knowledge<\/a> of what this Campaign Finance<\/a> law is. Thats why these coconspirators, whether unindicted, are the people who are now circling back around and the governments able to prove their case against everybody who is involved. The safe, steve. The Associated Press<\/a> is reporting that there was a literal safe at the tabloid, at the national enquirer, that held documents documenting these negative stories about trump that were squashed. I dont know if you are the investigators. You are looking for that safe\rright now or you have that safe right now. I would think that if were up to this point, they have the safe. I think the Fiction Writers<\/a> carried away. You dont buy it . No, no, im sure i do. Im saying, i think they have it by now. The president is not a nafe. When john edwards got in trouble for a similar violation, the president tweeted about it. Once again, his own twitter account comes back to bite him. It shows he has pretty sophisticated awareness of what the rules are. Thats such a good point. The president also said that the national enquirer, david, should have won the Pulitzer Prize<\/a> for breaking the edwards story. When it came down to legally Prosecuting Edwards<\/a> for that, he came out on top. They are really apples to\rapples. They are. The best advice i can give a client is not to say anything. Your words will always come back to bite you, whatever they are. This is a client who doesnt seem to listen to his lawyers when they give him that type of advice. Thank you both. Steve, david, have a nice weekend. You do the same. You too. Still ahead, a story we have been following closely here. Now a second deadly air strike in yemen that has claimed the lives of 22 children. This just weeks after that school bus filled with children was bombed by those Saudi Coalition<\/a> forces. We will bring you the latest ahead. Its the sears labor day event . Where you can shop with confidence and convenience plus get these 4 benefits from kenmore at sears. Up to fifty percent off appliances with your sears card. Like this washer and dryer for 539. 99 each. And this refrigerator for 899. 99. Hurry in to sears today. But we wont get there without you. Join the fight with the alzheimers association. You shouldnt be rushed into booking a hotel. With expedias addon advantage, booking a Flight Unlocks<\/a> discounts on select hotels until the day you leave for your trip. Addon advantage. Only when you book with expedia. Hundred roads named park in the u. S. Its americas most popular street name. But Allstate Agents<\/a> know thats where the similarity stops. If youre on park street in reno, nevada, the high winds of the Washoe Zephyr<\/a> could damage your siding. And thats very different than living on park ave in sheboygan, wisconsin, where ice dams could cause water damage. But no matter what park you live on, one of 10,000 local Allstate Agents<\/a> knows yours. Now that you know the truth, are you in good hands . For a limited time, when you get fast, reliable internet, you can add voice for just 24. 95 more per month. Call or go online today. Call or go on line today. Welcome back. As you know on this show, we have been closely following the Saudiled Coalition<\/a> air strikes in yemen that continue to kill children. Overnight, there were more. According to the houthicontrolled health ministry, 22 children were killed. Children fleeing an earlier bombing. This is the latest flashpoint in yemens ongoing civil war. Earlier this month, another saudiled air strike killed 51 people, 40 of them kids. Cnn confirmed the bomb used in that attack was made by a top u. S. Defense contractor. When i woke up to the news this morning, i was appalled but not surprised. What are you hearing . Sadly, neither are the people on the ground. We managed to speak to a surviving family member. He described just real heartbreak there. Not only were there air strikes in the village that this family were fleeing, but the air strikes continued even as the first people to arrive on the scene were attempting to evacuate those who had been able to survive this attack. Again, similarly to what it was like when we were reporting on the bus attack. We cant show you the footage because its just too graphic. But there is an absolutely heartbreaking scene where an old man is pulling together the remains of his son and his daughterinlaw and their children. The bomb strike was so hard and\rso extreme that he is managing to wrap the remnants in a sheet, the remnants of a family of six or seven people, all managed to fit into the sheet. Its absolutely horrifying. The air strikes continue, poppy. Of course, all of this is happening white the investigation into that bus attack has yet to deliver its findings. We know because of your reporting that the bomb used in the previous bus attack that killed all those innocent kids was u. S. Made. Now big picture here, what is the u. S. Role in all of this . The u. S. Is backing the Saudi Coalition<\/a>. What is being done to reduce the civilian casualties . Thats the question that increasingly u. S. Lawmakers are asking. You had the connecticut senator chris murphy attempting to table an amendment to the act that governs u. S. Arm sales to saudi\rarabia. That was blocked. You can feel the pressure. Its the the conversation moved from are the saudis in violation of International Law<\/a> to, well, is the u. S. In violation of the International Arms<\/a> treaty . Of course, all the partners to that treaty have to be able to say we believe these arms are not going to be used in ways in violation of humanitarian law and we are convinced of that. Increasingly, given Whats Happening<\/a> in yemen, its growing difficult for the u. S. And the Trump Administration<\/a> to be able to say that with conviction. Because of this, 100 million Arms Contract<\/a> 110 billion. Its extraordinary. Thank you for the reporting. Well be right back. Pampers cruisers with threeway fit. They adapt at the waist, legs and bottom with up to twelve hours of protection for all the freedom to move their way in pampers cruisers only pampers diapers are the number one choice of hospitals, nurses and parents. This is how car buying was always meant to be. This is truecar. It may be the end of august, but it has not been a slow news week for President Trump<\/a>, Michael Cohen<\/a> and Paul Manafort<\/a> cohens guilty plea, manaforts Felony Conviction<\/a> and the president s fight with jeff s sessions. Were interested in what do big name republican donors think about this . Lets talk to one of them. Dan everhart is here. I met you years ago. You formed this company and really cashed in on the big oil boom in north dakota. You have been more and more\rvocal there since then as a donor and a member of the Republican Party<\/a>, a big supporter of the president. What is your assessment of how this week was for President Trump<\/a> . I think its been a pretty bad week for him. But i think he has a history of bouncing back and seems to relish sometimes being down and coming out swinging. You know, we have seen its been hard to move his poll numbers from helsinki, the Access Hollywood<\/a> tape, he has bounced back. You said to npr this week, big picture for the Republican Party<\/a>, that the Republican Party<\/a> needs a united front when it cops to suppocop cop when it comes to support for the president. Did this week make it harder to get that united front . All this negative coverage about manafort and cohen and the feud with Jeff Sessions<\/a> leads to republicans not being able to get their message out about how good the economy is doing, how good the jobs numbers are and the other things that the republicans are working on like the judicial confirmation of kavanaugh. You think, dan, that the president may pardon Paul Manafort<\/a>. As a donor to him, as a donor to the party, as a republican who wants to see republicans maintain control of congress, what would you say to the president on that . I would say its possible he could pardon him. I think first of all, i think he shouldnt do it. He shouldnt pardon anyone as it relates to the russia investigation and the Russia Collusion Investigation<\/a> at all. In addition, i think that if he is going to bar do ing ting to should wait until after the conclusion of muellers investigation. Its interesting, because you have been critical of what this\rweek has meant for the president. Largely because of what Michael Cohen<\/a> testified to under oath, said under oath in a federal courthouse this week. You called that an earthquake for the president. Did something change . I think its an earthquake in that it has shaken up the republican establishment and The Powers That Be<\/a> in washington. I think that people are afraid, like i said a minute ago, about not being able to get their message out on the economy, about jobs, about judicial confirmations. Its just a giant distraction for republicans. It feeds into the hand of democrats. Also wanting to distract from the economy. You also have, as a major republican donor i think we have some of your donations to the folks you have given to. They are all republicans. This week, California Republican<\/a> congressman Duncan Hunter<\/a> and his wife, someone i looked it up, that i dont think you have\rdonated to, correct me if im wrong, they were indicted for spending a quarter of a Million Dollars<\/a> of Campaign Donations<\/a> on a lavish lifestyle. Vacations to italy and hawaii. Also, a plane ticket for a pet bunny. They say they are not guilty. I dont even know the headlines are very negative for them. They say theyre not guilty. This comes after chris koons was indicted for securities fraud. They were among the first supporters of the president. Do you think the Republican Party<\/a> should be worried that the Public Perception<\/a> is increasingly that the swamp has gone nowhere. First of all, the allegations against Duncan Hunter<\/a>, if those are true, i think that those are extremely unsettling. It seems more appropriate for it to for those things to be in a movie, not happen in real life. That said, i think the way that the democrats have bob menend\rmenendez i think not every republican is like Duncan Hunter<\/a>. Bob menendez wasnt convicted. It was a hung jury there. Continue. Duncan hunter might not be convicted. Correct. The republican response, paul ryans response to strip Duncan Hunter<\/a>s Committee Assignment<\/a> shows the republicans take that seriously. Its not acceptable in the Republican Party<\/a>. Dan, i appreciate you being with us. By the way, are you going to run for office . You asked me that last time. Im focused on what we are doing on canary and trying to grow canary. Thats what im focused on right now. Very political answer. Dan, thanks for taking time oust your vacation to join me. Thank you. Hackers, fake websites, bots, this week alone several tech giants have sounded the alarm and squashed attempts to spread misinformation online, attempts by russia and iran. Today, they are meeting to do something more about it. We will talk about it next. From the very beginning. It was always our singular focus. To do whatever it takes, use every possible resource. To fight cancer. And never lose sight of the patients were fighting for. Our Cancer Treatment<\/a> specialists share the same vision. Experts from all over the world, working closely together to deliver truly personalized cancer care. And these are the specialists were proud to call our own. Expert medicine works here. Learn more at cancercenter. Com Appointments Available<\/a> now. Thats okay. You dont have to say im your best friend. Rewards me basically aeverywhere. Om so why am i hosting a dental convention after party in my vegas suite . Because hotels. Com lets me do me. Who wants to floss me . Hotels. Com. You do you and get rewarded. Sites with links to iran and potential election meddling. Lets go to brian barrett. What has struck me so much about this week, after microsoft said here is what russia is doing and we stopped it, is the private sector is sort of finally saying, we have to be at the forefront of this. Thats right. I think its remarkable. I think the meeting today is a great example of that. Its great they are doing that and coming to that realization. Its astonishing they werent meeting regularly a year ago. One of the again ta itenda item will see if we want to keep doing this. They sort of have to. There are some who would say, Isnt The Onus<\/a> for this on the government . I suppose it just doesnt matter, because what the government has been able to do up until now has not been effective. It continues. Right. I think there is you can point fingers back and forth. I think the government should do more. I think its very problematic. The white house eliminated the Cyber Security<\/a> coordinator role in may. Why . Its hard to say. They said john bolton said were fine with the structure we have. We lost some really smart people who were sort of the organizational infrastructure here. That happens. Its not useful to complain about that. I guess it is in hopes you get reinstated. For now, the Tech Companies<\/a> are the ones who need to sort of step up. They shouldnt have to do it on their own, but they have to do something. This threat is bigger than russia. To be clear, it includes russia. The president has said, maybe its a 400 pound guy in the basement. It includes russia. But also as we heard from john bolton, this week, its others. Lets listen to him. I can say definitively that its a sufficient National Security<\/a> concern about chinese meddling, iranian meddling and\rnorth korean meddling that we are taking steps to try to prevent it. Its all four of the countries really. What do you say to that . I think for americans listening, iran was not at the top of their mind until maybe this week. I think irans an interesting case. Because iran, what was shown this week is that iran was sort of targeting a wide number of areas. They were active in the u. S. But also in the middle east. I think iran is an interesting cause because we have had a they were active but not so much. With the u. S. Withdrawing from the nuclear deal, maybe they will be more active. In terms of the election specifically, i think russia is the main concern. China and north korea are much more strategic in how they go about their cyber activity. Russia wants to sow discord. Thank you. Important insight. I appreciate you being with me. Thanks so much. Ahead for us, a special report. Secret safe, friends flipping. The wild week is not letting up next. Stay with cnn for the latest developments. Before you and your Rheumatologist Move<\/a> to another treatment, ask if xeljanz xr is right for you. Xeljanz xr is a oncedaily pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well enough it can reduce pain, swelling and further joint damage, even without methotrexate. Xeljanz xr can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma and other cancers have happened. Dont start xeljanz xr if you have an infection. Tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts, and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c,\ror are prone to infections. Dont let another morning go by without talking to your rheumatologist about xeljanz xr. Dont let another morning go byoure smart,eatg to you already knew that. 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We were just talking about Allen Weisselberg<\/a> and how integral he has been in the organization. He was hired by President Trump<\/a>s father. This is a big development. We have the cfo of the Trump Organization<\/a>, he has been with this company a long time. He is in charge of the money. He is sending money out. He is the beak keookkeeper as t have described him. He knows how the Organization Works<\/a> and the money flows. We know he was of interest to the prosecutors because he authorized some of the payoffs, the reimbursements made to cohen. He was very likely very important in their investigation and in the charges that they brought against Michael Cohen<\/a> in that he pled guilty to. Its not clear how far beyond Michael Cohen<\/a> of interest he is to prosecutors. Its a big deal he got immunity and he is the second person we know david pecker did, too. Jeffrey toobin joins me on the phone. Prosecutors do not hand out immunity easily. They think you have something wor worthwhile to their case to do that. He was named on that recorded call that Michael Cohen<\/a>s lawyer hanned ov ed handed about, where the president and Michael Cohen<\/a> are talking about paying off ami, 150,000, to keep this story quiet. They mention Allen Weisselberg<\/a>. He knows where the money is. One of the oldest rules of Law Enforcement<\/a> is follow the money. Cfos are often very, very important witnesses. Not because they have done anything wrong, but they know where the money comes in and where it goes out. The fact that he has now been granted immunity is enormously significant. It means investigators now have a basically complete window into the Financial Operations<\/a> of the Trump Organization<\/a>. Now if there is nothing improper that went on there, donald trump has nothing to worry about. If there is something improper, the feds are very likely going to know about it. This, jeffrey, escalates the pressure, potentially on the president. The Wall Street Journal<\/a> reached out for comment. Did not hear back. We are doing the same at this time. We know from this reporting that he did he was called to testify before a federal grand jury. Set this in the context. Week for us. Mo how significant . What makes it so important is that the investigators are\rtrying to tell the whole story of what went on here. Michael cohen has admitted that he was participating in illegal Campaign Finance<\/a> activity, as he said, at the direction of the president. What did he do exactly . Who did he do it with . Were other people involved . Certainly, Allen Weisselberg<\/a>, who as you point out is mentioned on that tape, is someone who might know something about this. David pecker received some of this money in his role as Chief Executive<\/a> of american media. Thats the other side of the transaction. Are there other transactions . The feds are doing what feds do, which is find someone who did wrongdoing, flip him and then use him to determine if theres other wrongdoing to be found. Its certainly very unnerving to be on the Receiving End<\/a> of that kind of scrutiny. A private organization, which","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"https:\/\/vimarsana.com\/images\/vimarsana-bigimage.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240618T12:35:10+00:00"}