Transcripts For FOXNEWSW Shepard Smith Reporting 20190328 :

Live from the fox news deck. Shepard happy opening day in baseball. We will get to that President Trump though first says the fbi and Justice Department are going to look into Jussie Smolletts case, comparing it to an embarrassment to our nation. This comes just days after prosecutors dropped all charges against the actor on the Fox Television series and singer. Even though they said smollett was not innocent and they still believe he stabled a hate crime against himself. Jussie smolletts attorney insists her client did not receive special treatment. We have nothing to be concerned about because there was nothing on our end to request this, to do anything improper. To my knowledge, nothing improper was done. To your knowledge, since february 20th, when Jussie Smollett was initially charged, did he, his family, friends, associates, did anyone reach out to anyone in the States Attorneys Office on his behalf . I cant speak to what other people did. I certainly dont know what all of those individuals did, but not to my knowledge. Shepard well, thats because one of them actually did, according to the itched. Leaked emails and Text Messages First Published by the Chicago Tribune and since by others reveal that the top prosecutor kim fox was communicating with smolletts family and a former staff of Michelle Obama during the investigation. Now, that top prosecutor foxx seen here recused herself from the case. But, she says her office treated smollett the same way it treats anybody with a clean record who is charged with the same level of felony. The dropping of the charges in no way exonerates mr. Smollett. He was afforded an opportunity that we have under our alternative prosecutions unit that in exchange for the Community Service and his bond forfeiture, the case would be dropped. Shepard normally people like that have to confess and say they are sorry. A key piece of evidence that apparently helped crack the case was an empty hot sauce bottle, again, a hot sauce bottle that smelled to a reporter like bleach. Not to police like bleach. They didnt find the bottle, a reporter later did. Well talk to that reporter who found the bottle and alerted the police. She also came out with a story about how Chicago Police are going to bill smollett for the cost of the entire investigation. And 10,000 bail money will not cut it first to matt finn reporting. Is he live in chicago. Matt . Shep, this afternoon somehow this saga is intensifying. No side is backing down. Chicagos top cop insists this was a hoax. The mayor calls smollett a liar. Here is chicago mayor rahm emanuel today saying justice has not been served. He is either a person that pulled a hoax around the hate crime for his racial background and sexual orientation. Or he is totally a victim and innocent. But you both cant be right. And the city of chicago deserves an answer and they deserve an answer about accountability and responsibility in the system. Jussie smolletts attorney immediately fired back at rahm emanuel just moments ago releasing this statement, quote it is the mayor and the police chief who owes jussie, owes him an apology for dragging an innocent mans character through the mud. Jussie has paid enough. Also, this afternoon, kim foxxs spokesperson tells ththe Chicago Tribune that kim falcon foxx northwesterly formerly recused herself from this investigation. She never had any actual conflict of interest. As a result she did not have to seek the appointment of a special prosecutor under state law. Kim falcons says her office could have convicted smollett and it would have had the same result. Smollett forfeiting his bond and Community Service. Falcons therefore her office chose alternative prosecution and understands the police and public are upset. It is fair to say that the Police Department is not happy on every decision that we make. I think the notoriety around this case has somehow cast i think an unreasonable expectation that the Police Department and us will agree on every case. Also, the National District Attorneys Association which says it represents 2700 Prosecution Offices around the country released a letter heavily criticizing kim falcons writing in part, quote when a chief prosecutor recuses him or herself, the recusal must apply to the entire office. Not just the elected or appointed prosecutor. Also writing, quote, prosecutors should not take advice from politically connected. We just learned the police union plans to protest kim foxx. Order of the court but that may change . Yes, Chicago Police tell us this case has been sealed but now kim foxx is also saying it might have been accidentally sealed. And kim foxx believes its in the process of being unsealed and Jussie Smolletts attorneys released a statement not long ago saying we support the court files being preserved. We have not and will not file a motion for any records in this case. Shep . Shepard matt finn is live for us in chicago. So, remember the key pieces of all of this. There was the noose that was found around his neck, the rope that he kept around his neck for quite some time after the incident happened. There were a lot of other pieces to this. And there was also the accusation that he had been doused with bleach, remember . At first he said some sort of chemical and then later the police said it was some sort of bleach. Was there some sort of holder of the bleach . With what did the perpetrators douse him . Well, now to the journalists who found what appears to be a key evidence in the case when she spotted some trash that look at little weird. Gabriel is a correspondent and Investigative Reporter for the New York Post. A reminder, the New York Post Parent Company and fox news Parent Company share common ownership. You are chilling there and it wasnt like the day after the attack happened. No, this is like a full 8 days after the atackling gearing there out in the middle of the sidewalk. Shepard you are walking in the general area where they said this happen where the camera saw nothing and you see what and do what . Yes, i was retracing his footsteps camera caught the attack i notice on the ground clean hot sauce bottle weird you would think it would have red flecks or green flecks or something. There is beer bottles arranged but hot sauce . So i pick it up, and i decide to smell it because it should have had bleach in it and it had an odor. Smelled kind of like chlorine, kind of like bleach. I let it sit for a day its so off that this could have possibly been something. And then the next day it was still there thats when i called the police and reported it. All of these investigators and all of this time, so, when you said it to the cops are they like oh, thanks for finding that . No, quite the opposite. Shepard what did they say . Well, you know, they told me i was doing the right thing by reporting it but, of course, nobody likes to be told by a reporter hey, i think you missed something at the scene. Shepard i read the New York Post every morning i know what it says. Ggo ahead and tell our viewers what it said. One of them said are you trying to do our job for us. He was a little peeved. Shepard of course we found whatever was there, right . Yeah. They said that they would canvas the area. I understood where they were coming from. They did have a team of detectives out there. Thats what their job is to find everything out of there. But no one is perfect. Everyone is human, they missed it. Shepard sure, this idea of whether this was staged or not is something that somebody else is going to have to decide. The Chicago Police say it was staged. The chicago Mayors Office says it was staged. Now the prosecutors say it was staged. So you had this idea that they would have bleach in a bottle kind of goes to the staging. Yeah. I mean, its a weird thing to. Shepard in a hot sauce bottle. Who would have thought of that. Shepard easy dousing. Can you hardly get hot sauce out of a bottle. This had a larger neck. This is what they used to pour the bleach on him. You wonder if they fingerprinted it. They fingerprinted me after i touched it. Shepard that would be to eliminate your prints . Right. Thats part of the problem here. This evidence lingered there for over a week. It had rained or snowed. Any other prints before i had touched it were compromised. It also took six hours for the crime scene technicians to come up and during that time it rained again. If mr. Smolletts fingerprints were on it or the brothers fingerprints were on it remains to be seen. Shepard the president today says well the fbi is going to look into this. Thats not exactly how this works. There has to be an overriding concern, a concern to the general public some sort of criminal activity went Investigative Agency to suggest it. It doesnt happen automatically that way and the fbi hasnt commented on it . They havent commented. They have been tightlipped throughout this investigation. Only a few Law Enforcement officials said this is happening aside from President Trumps tweet this morning. You know, what would be investigated by the fbi is the letter that he purportedly received at the studios in chicago that many people are saying that he might have sent to himself. That is something that he could still be charged federally for. Shepard yeah. And the feds are still working on that as far as i know. Gabriel fonrouge from. They used to say 25 cents now can you log on and all their great work is there. Thank you so much. Shepard confrontation at the capital with the new fallout this says the Mueller Report. Its actually not from the Mueller Report. Its actually from the letter that we got instead of getting the Mueller Report. Republicans are demanding the democratic congressman adam schiff resign as chairman of the intelligence committee. They called him out in front of his colleagues in a huge in your face way. And adam schiff had a response. So well have both for you as our reporting continues on this thursday afternoon. Opening Day Major League Baseball in case you are wondering. I believe the yanks are still up 10 over baltimore in the bronx 6 to 1 i meant. Lifes order is returning. Its a pleasure. My pleasure. Turning 50 opens the door to a lot of new things. Like now your doctor may be talking to you about screening for colon cancer. Luckily theres me, cologuard. The noninvasive test you use at home. It all starts when your Doctor Orders me. Then its as easy as get, go, gone. You get me when im delivered. Right to your front door and in the privacy of your own home. Theres no prep or special diet needed. You just go to the bathroom, to collect your sample. After that, im gone, shipped to the lab for dna testing that finds colon cancer and precancer. Cologuard is not right for everyone. It is not for high risk individuals, including those with a history of colon cancer or precancer. Ibd, certain Hereditary Cancer syndromes, or a Family History of colon cancer. Maybe ill be at your door soon ask your doctor if cologuard is right for you. Covered by medicare and most major insurers. What do all these people have in common, limu . Oug [ paper rustling ] exactly, nothing. Theyre completely different people, thats why they need customized Car Insurance from liberty mutual. Theyll only pay for what they need [ gargling ] [ coins hitting the desk ] yes, and they could save a ton. Youve done it again, limu. Pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Tit cant be found on. Just any map. A place miles from the beaten path. Overcoming twists and turns, ups and downs. Whatever life throws. A place to always strive for. For all the journeys that make us stronger. Oh oh oh ozempic® announcer people with type 2 diabetes are excited about the potential of onceweekly ozempic®. In a study with ozempic®, a majority of adults lowered their blood sugar and reached an a1c of less than seven and maintained it. Oh under seven . And you may lose weight. In the same oneyear study, adults lost on average up to 12 pounds. Oh up to 12 pounds . A twoyear study showed that ozempic® does not increase the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, or death. Oh no increased risk . Oh, oh, oh, ozempic® ozempic® should not be the first medicine for treating diabetes, or for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Do not share needles or pens. Dont reuse needles. Do not take ozempic® if you have a personal or Family History of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to ozempic®. Stop taking ozempic® and get medical help right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, itching, rash, or trouble breathing. Serious side effects may happen, including pancreatitis. Tell your doctor if you have Diabetic Retinopathy or vision changes. Taking ozempic® with a sulfonylurea or insulin may increase the risk for low blood sugar. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. Some side effects can lead to dehydration, which may worsen kidney problems. I discovered the potential with ozempic®. Oh oh oh ozempic® ask your Healthcare Provider if ozempic® is right for you. But prevagen helps your brain with an ingredient originally discovered. In jellyfish. Shepard fight for control of the narrative in washington has reached a new level. Members of the House Intelligence Committee are calling for the democratic chairman adam schiff to resign straight to his face. They claim they no longer have faith in congressman schiff to lead the committee after the bill barr letter following the special counsel bob mueller russia investigation. You have been at the center of a well orchestrated Media Campaign complaining among other things the Trump Campaign colluded with the russian government. Indeed before the appointment of Robert Mueller special counsel you alleged in one of your frequent Television Interviews that there was quote more than circumstantial evidence, quote of collusion but that you could, quote, not go into particulars closed quote. Your willingness to continue to promote a demonstrably false narrative is alarming. The findings of the special counsel refute your past and present assertions and have exposed you as having abused your position to knowingly promote false information. Having damaged the integrity of this committee and undermined the faith of the United States government and its institutions your actions both past and present are income pattability with your duty as chairman of this committee which alone in the house of representatives has obligation and authority to provide effective oversight of the u. S. Intelligence community. As such we have no faith in your ability to discharge your duties and commands consistent with your constitutional responsibility and urge your immediate resignation as chairman of the committee. This is signed by all nine members of the republican side. House of the committee u. Shepard and there was that heres how congressman schiff responded. My colleagues may think its okay that the russians offered dirt on the democratic candidate for president as part of what was described as the the russian government to help the Trump Campaign. You might think thats okay. My colleagues might think its okay that when that was offered to the son of the president who had a pivotal role in the campaign that the president s son did not call the fbi. He did not adamantly refuse that foreign help. No, instead, that son said that he would love the campaign chairman, someone with great experience in running campaigns also took that meeting. You might think its okay that the president s son also toopresident s sontook tha. You might think its okay they concealed it from the public. You might think its okay that their only disappointment after that meeting was that the dirt they received on Hillary Clinton wasnt better. You might think thats okay. I think its immoral. I think its unethical. I think its unpatriotic. And, yes, i think its corrupt. And evidence of collusion. Now i have always said that the question of whether this amounts to proof of conspiracy was another matter. Whether the special counsel could prove beyond a reasonable doubt the proof of that crime would be up to the special counsel and i would accept his decision and i do. He is a good and honorable man and he is a good prosecutor. But i do not think that conduct, criminal or not, is okay. And the day we do thinks okay e will look back and say that is the d its way. I dont think its okay that his attorney lied to our committee. There is a different word for that than collusion. And its called compromise. And that is the subject of our hearing today. Gentlemen yield. I will not yield. Mr. Ambassador. Gentlemen yield because you just made statements about all of us that i think we all should. I will not yield. We think you ought to allow us to speak of what we think. You can use your five mi