Wesome. So come ask, shop, discover at your xfinity store today. Top of the hour. It is an important warning. Good morning, everyone. Im poppy harlow in new york. Im jim sciutto, in front of the United Nations, where President Trump will take the stage and address leaders. He was here, live, addressing reports that he personally ordered a hold on 400 million on crucial military aid to the ukraine. Listen to the answer. There is news in here. As far as withholding funds, those funds were paid. My complaint has always been, and i would withhold again and i will continue to withhold until such time as europe and other nations contribute to ukraine. Theyre not doing it the United States, were putting up the bulk of the money. Factcheck, this is money mandated by congress. And that is the first time he
said, that europe isnt paying their fair sure. Its completely opposite of what he said yesterday. Let me quote for what the president said yesterday. The quote from the president. Its very important to talk about corruption. Why would you give money to a country you think is corrupt. The answer this morning, vastly different. This is why the president is facing so much Controversy Back in washington, overshadowing, perhaps, the message he would like to send on the global stage today. We could know by the end of the day, whether House Democrats will move forward with impeaching the president. At this moment, at least 145 democrats say they are in favor of an impeachment probe. Sneaker nancy pelosi is set to meet with her caucus. We go to jim acosta. It was only five days ago, the president was calling this story fake news. He has evolved, shall we say, over the course of the last few days. Getting more real. Admitting it and justifying it. That was a new justification. Europe is not paying up. Thats right. And the justifications keep moving. The president is saying, now, he is holding up the money and he would do it again. We were able to confirm the Washington Post reporting last night, that he instructed the chief of staff, mick mulvaney, to do this. And whether this was leverage to investigate joe biden and his son, hunter biden. Theres no evidence that they did anything wrong, talking about the bidens. But talking to trump advisers, there is concern inside the president s team, circle, advisers, this could have legs. The story could be harmful to the president , legally, potentially, down the road. One adviser said to me yesterday, this is the president admitting he did this, talking
about pressuring the ukrainians. This is unlike what we saw during the russian investigation. The president was denying there was any collusion, any obstruction. It seems to be the complete opposite this time around. As the president gets in front of cameras, he is admitting to doing things. The president is daring them to do something at this point. Thats why you see democrats, the moderate democrats, that are concerned about the Swing District Seats theyre holding, coming onboard and saying theyre impeachmentcurious. That moves the ball forward. Some of the inside folks say, this works for the president. We are putting the spotlight on joe biden. Theres some saying this is doing damage to the president. Were going to factcheck later in the broadcast about joe biden and his son. Its an unfound eed claim, or h the president is describing it there. Were going to stay on top of this story. Its been remarkable to watch the president s story change so many times in the span of a few days. And such drastic changes. As the other jim, jim acosta, saying getting more real by the way. This could be a historic day for lawmakers on capitol hill. Nancy pelosi, set to meet with committee chairs. Thats before the 4 00 caucus meeting this afternoon. House democrats say they are nearing a tipping point. Thats the words of one. At least 145 democrats say theyre in favor of an impeachment probe. Just moments from now, senator Chuck Schumer is expected to call for a resolution, to get the whistleblower complaint to
congress. It was interesting when this news just crossed about what schumer is going to do. Can you help us understand the Practical Implications with that. Is this a move that will compel that to happen . Its interesting what democrats on the hill are doing, trying to increase the pressure up here today. Certainly, a huge moment for democrats, specifically for speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, given this could be a defining moment in the steps that House Democrats take going forward. Weve seen the tide toward impeachme impeachme impeachment going forward, theres a slew of events. Nancy pelosi will be huddlie ii with the Six Committee chairs. And she will meet with her entire House Democratic caucus. The result of that meeting could lay out the next steps of what she will do going forward. Of course, she was telling jeff zeleny late last night, did not encourse going forward. But it sounded all but certain. We have no choice. It will be a big week. Sunlen, she has held off adam schiffs language was very different until he talked to jake on sunday. This is a leadership that matters, right . And they dont have the numbers there, yet, in terms of public sentiment and willingness to move forward on impeachment. But has the game changed in the last 24hours for nancy elosi . Certainly it has. Thats why were talking about it. Not only the numbers but who is calling for impeachment. Very notable, in fact, nancy pelosi called it a Significant Development herself. Members that worked in National Security that say, we have devoted our lives to the service of our country and throughout our careers. We have sworn an oath to defend the constitution of the United States, many times over. Now, we join as a unified group to uphold that oath, as we enter unchartered waters and face unprecedented allegations against President Trump. Also notable, we have, over the last 12 hours, two Close Friends and allies of Speaker Pelosi, coming out for endorsement. That underscores how the dynamics are changing and how pelosi is changing herself, what she thinks about impeachment. Sunlen, thank you. Great reporting. Lets talk to our senior political analyst. Senior editor of the atlantic, ron brown. Molly ball. And elliot is here. Let me begin with you on sunlen talking about that washington
post oped, by the seven freshman democrats, who are in vulnerable districts. Moving towards impeachment can cost them their seats. You pointed out something that is significant. Thats the mention of inherent contem contempt. Why . It shows they are not playing around. Just a step back. Theres a few different ways to hold someone in contempt. You can sue for it. You can go to the Justice Department for it. But congress has this power of inherent contempt, where congress can jail someone and find someone, like they used to do 100 years ago, and lock them up in a jail cell, on the grounds of congress. It is interesting to see that centrists are jumping in feetfirst or headfirst, into this impeachment debate. This doesnt a wishywashy centrist democrat oped we saw. People on the face are starting to embrace this in the democratic congress. Ron, help me with the politics here. How qualitative have the pressure been on ukraine, to investigate joe biden and his son . Enormously. The line of demarcation has moved dramatically. One was in a clinton district. There are many more democrats in safer districts that are not calling for impeachment yet. And that signals how, even
people at the front lines of the majority, the one that pelosi is talking about, trying to protect, are now seeing this is, perhaps, inevitable. 10 or 11 in districts. Onethird of them, its worth noting. That i have seen private polling that many of the districts that trump carried in 2016, hes under 50 approval. They may be feeling less pressure than they were some time ago, to move in this direction. Certainly, it is a Different Group of democrats that are talk about doing so earlier. We know that impeachment is, inhere inherently, the nature of the political process. But what i hear changing, is how much it is about politics for the democrats. Or not about politics. Listen to the Exchange Last night, molly, between cory booker and chris cuomo on that exact issue. Where is the political advantage . This is our country. This is our constitution. 20 years, 40 years, people will look back and say what do we do to hold a president accountable . Significant to you, molly, to hear that . If this will cost them seats . If america is not there in the polling, its bigger than that . Well, yeah. This is the line that Speaker Pelosi has been using, that the house will not impeach for political reasons. But they will also not impeach for political reasons. Thats why you hear the statements from democrats newly coming out for impeachment. Couching it in moral terms. Couching it in constitutional terms. But i do think as ron was saying, the politics have shifted, as well. The conventional wisdom has been, that this is bad politics for democrats. And you have people questioning that. The president is approaching the podium at the general
assembly. Lets listen to his remarks. Mr. Secretarygeneral, distinguished delegates, ambassadors, world leaders. Seven decades of history have passed through this hall, in all of its richness and drama. Where i stand, the world has haer heard from president s and premiers at the height of the cold war. Weve seen the foundation of nations. We have seen the ringleaders of evolution. We have beheld saints who inspired us with hope. Rebels who stirred us with passion. And heroes who embolden us with courage. All here to share plans, proposals, visions and ideas, on the worlds biggest stage. Like those who met us before, our time is one of great contests, high stakes and clear choices. The essential divide that runs all around the world, and throughout history, is once again, thrown into stark relief. It is the divide between those whose thirst for control dilutes them into thinking they are destined to rule over others. And those people and nations, who want only to rule themselves, i have the immense privilege of addressing you today, of an elected leader of a nation that prizes liberty, independence and selfgovernment of all. The United States, after having spent over 2. 5 trillion since my election, to rebuild our great military, is also, by far, the worlds most powerful nation. Hopefully it will never have to use this power. Americans know that in a world where others seek conquest and domination, our nation must be strong in wealth, in might, and in spirit. That is why the United States vigorously defends the traditions and customs that have made us who we are. Like my beloved country, each nation represented in this hall, has a cherished history, culture and heritage, that is worth defending and celebrating, and which gives us our singular
potential and strength. The free world must embrace its national foundations. It must not attempt to erase them or replace them. Looking around, and all over, this large, magnificent planet. The truth is plain to see. If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold on to your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders put the good of their own people and their own country first. The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. The future belongs to sovereign
and independent nations, who protect their citizens, respect their neighbors and honor the differences that make each Country Special and unique. Its why we in the United States have embarked on an Exciting Program of national renewal. And everything we we do, we have focused on empowering the dreams and aspirations of our citizens. Thanks to our progrowth economic policies, our Unemployment Rate reached the lowest level in half a century. Fueled by massive tax cuts and regulations cuts, jobs are being produced at a historic rate. 6 million americans have been added to the Employment Rolls in under three years. Last month, africanamerican, hispanicamerican and asianamerican unemployment reached their lowest rates ever recorded. We are marshaling our energy abundance. And the United States is the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world. Wages are rising. Incomes are soaring. And 2. 5 million americans have been lifted out of poverty in less than three years. As we rebuild, the unrivaled might by the american military, we are also revitalizing our alliances by making it very clear, that all of our partners are expected to pay their fair share of the tremendous defense burden, which the United States has borne in the past. At the center of our vision for
national renewal, is an Ambitious Campaign to reform international trade. For decades, the International Trading system has been easily exploited by nations acting in very bad faith, as jobs were outsourced, a small handful grew wealthy at the expense of the middle class. In america, the result was 4. 2 million lost manufacturing jobs and 15 trillion in trade deficits over the last quartercentury. The United States is now taking that Decisive Action to end this grave economic injustice. Our goal is simple. We want balanced trade that is fair and reciprocal. We have worked closely with our partners in mexico and canada, to replace nafta, with the brandnew and hopefully bipartisan u. S. mexico canada agreement. Tomorrow, i will join Prime Minister abe of japan, in continuing our progress and finalizing a new trade deal. As the United Kingdom makes preparations to exit the european union, i have made clear that we stand ready to complete an exceptional, new Trade Agreement with the u. K. , that will bring tremendous benefits to both of our countries. We are working closely with Prime Minister boris johnson, on a magnificent trade deal. The most important difference in americas new approach on trade, concerns a relationship with china. In 2001, china was admitted to the World Trade Organization. Our leaders then argued this decision would compel china to liberalize its economy and strengthen protections to provide things that were unacceptable to us. And for private property and for the rule of law. Two decades later this theory has been tested and proven completely wrong. Not only has china declined to adopt promised reforms, it has embraced an economic model, dependent on massive market barriers, heavy state subsidies, currency manipulation, product dumping, forced Technology Transfers and the theft of Intellectual Property and also Trade Secrets on a grand scale. This is just one example. I recently met the ceo of a terrific american company, micron technology, at the white house. Micron produces memory chips used in countless electronics. To advance the Chinese Governments fiveyear economic plan, a Company Owned by the chinese state, allegedly allegedly stole microns designs. Soon, the Chinese Company obtains patents or nearly idea product. And micron was banned from selling its own goods in china. But we are seeking justice. The United States lost 60,000 factories after china entered the wto. This is happening to other
countries all over the globe. The World Trade Organization needs drastic change. The secondlargest economy in the world should not be permitted to declare itself a developing country to game the system at others expense. For years, these abuses were tolerated, ignored, or even encouraged. Globalism exerted a religious pull over past leaders, causing them to ignore their own national interests. But as far as america is concerned, those days are over. To confront these unfair practices, i placed massive tariffs on more than 500 million worth of chinesemade goods. Already, as a result of these
tariffs, Supply Chains are relocating back to america and other locations, and millibilli are being paid to our treasury. The American People are absolutely committed to restoring balance to our relationship with china. Hopefully we can reach an adpreemt that will be beneficial to both countries. But as i have made clear, i will not accept a bad deal for the American People. We endeavor to stage our relationship, we are carefully monitoring the situation in hong kong. The world fully expects that the Chinese Government will honor its binding treaty, made with the registered nation that china uses to protect hong kongs freedom and legal system and
democratic ways of life. How china chooses to handle the situation will say a great deal about its role in the world and the future. Were all counting on president xi as a great leader. The United States does not seek conflict. We desire peace, cooperation and mutual gain with all. But they will never fail to defend americas interests. One of the greatest threats facing peaceloving nations today, is the repressive regime in iran. The reg