Tonight, the new fallout after we learn the president reportedly ordered Robert Mueller fired. The white House Counsel would not do it. When did the president ask for this . Even republicans on the hill tonight reacting. What does this mean as the special counsel investigating any possible obstruction of justice . Also breaking today, the deadly plot. What was overheard by fellow students. Authorities racing to a students home, and what they then discovered. Late today, news on this deadly flu epidemic coming in. What the cdc has now revealed about baby boomers. And if you are caring for someone with the flu, should you be on tamiflu as well . The entire board of the usa gymnastics resigning tonight, and nearly 20 survivors, with our Elizabeth Vargas and what they are demanding. The scandal in las vegas tonight. The man behind one of the most famous casinos and resorts. What he is accused of doing to female employees. Some of them reportedly hiding in closets and bathrooms to avoid him, and what he is saying tonight. Good evening, and its great to have you with us here on a friday night, and we begin with President Trump reportedly ordering the special counsel Robert Mueller be fired. The white House Counsel refusing to do this last june. President trump returning tonight from davos, and serious questions await here at home about why he moved to fire Robert Mueller. The president denying the claim, but the New York Times breaking the story, and the outlets of the Washington Post to fox news to our team, confirming that the president did want mueller out. Abcs Jonathan Karl leading us off. Reporter appearing before a gathering in davos, switzerland and most powerful, the president took credit for an american comeback. America is open for business, and we are competitive once again. Reporter but his message was overshadowed by news back home. A report, first in the New York Times, that last summer he had sought to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Mr. President , did you seek to fire Robert Mueller . Fake news, folks. Fake news. Typical New York Times fake stories. Reporter a president ial denial, but a story confirmed by abc news that the president sought to have mueller dismissed in june, just one month after he was appointed to the job. So why didnt it happen . According to the times, white House Counsel, don mcgann refused to ask the Justice Department to carry out the president s wishes, even threatening to quit himself. The president s desire to push mueller aside wasnt exactly a secret. At the time, chris ruddy, a longtime friend of the president s, went public warning him not to do it. I think hes considering
perhaps terminating the special counsel. I think hes weighing that option. I, personally, think it would be a very significant mistake. Reporter but a couple months later, trump denied even thinking about firing mueller. I havent given it any thought. Reporter and some of the president s top aides denied it, too. He has not discussed firing bob mueller. Reporter the New York Times says trump even had come with a rationale firing mueller, a list of three alleged conflicts of interest, including the fact that mueller had come to the white house the day before he was named special counsel to talk to the president about returning to his old job of fbi director. Over the summer, the president fumed about that in an interview. Mueller wanted the job. I said, what the hell is this all about . Talk about conflicts . But he was interviewing for the job. Reporter tonight, at the white house, the president s lawyers remain mum, leaving it to the president alone to deny the story. But the New York Times reports theres one person whos known about it for months, robert
mueller, himself. So lets get to jon karl with us live from the white house, and democrats in congress are pushing for legislation that would prevent the president from firing the special counsel, and this evening, were learning that a leading republican says he is open to it . Reporter the judiciary chairman republican Chuck Grassley did say that, and he said the president and everyone else ought to let mueller do his job and get through this investigation. But while grassley said he is open to this bill or a bill protecting mueller, he also said he is encourage that the president appears to be cooperating with the counsel. Jon karl leading us off on a friday night. Thank you. We have one more question on this. Lets get to dan abrams here with us. How significant is this . If its determined that the purpose of it was to end the investigation, that could be a piece in a possible obstruction of justice case. Because remember, the intent is what matters there, but its
also important to remember how much of a bigger deal it would have been to fire Robert Mueller than to fire james comey. James comey is the head of the fbi, and effectively works for the president , but the special counsel is supposed to be independent. There is a specific process that has to occur before the special counsel could be fired, and it involves the attorney general and not the president , firing him. Didnt happen. This would have been much bigger than comey. Dan, thank you. We do have a lot of other news developing this friday night. First, the deadly flu and the new and alarming numbers coming in from the cdc tonight. Among the worst flu season in a decade, and it hasnt peaked yet. 39 states reporting high flu activity, and seven more children lost last week alone. 37 children dying so far this season, but tonight another age group making news because of how hard this is hitting this year, baby boomers, and what about the caretakers . If you are caring for someone with the flu, should you get tap flew as well . Heres abcs linzie janis
tonight. Reporter tonight, 37yearold mother karlie illg slaven from indiana, one of the flu epidemics latest victims. Her father says shed been taking care of her husband and children who had the virus when she started feeling sick. My wife called and said, get over here right away. They put her in the icu. Shes in critical condition. Reporter he says she died, just three days after testing positive for the flu. We all were there, standing around her, and she left us about 6 30 in the morning. Reporter karlies story, highlighting the danger to caregivers and others at home. Tonight, the cdc recommending that some people at a higher risk take a preventative dose of tamiflu, even if they dont have the flu. A step that could cut their chances of getting the virus by up to an estimated 80 . If there are infections in the household, and you are concerned about an older individual in the home, talk with your doctor and see if prophylactic medicines are something that would be useful. Reporter across the country, nearly 12,000 flu patients so sick theyve had to be
hospitalized. The cdc says the number of charn reported to have died from the flu this season has been climbed to 37. 12yearold dylan winniks family say he had a fever on monday and died on tuesday. Shocking. You get a call that hes passed. How the hell does that happen . Reporter david, something unique this year. The cdc says hospitalization rates for people between the ages of 50 and 64 are higher than for the very young. Its usually the other way around. The hardest hit group of people, still those 65 and older, david. All right, so seniors, children and this year, the baby boomers too. Linzie, our thanks to you. About that point you heard from linzie there, caretakers, caring for loved ones with the flu. Should they be taking tap flew as well . Lets dig into this with jen ashton. I know your daughter has the flu at home. We wish her a speedy recovery along with everybody. You said you were on this, and
you said its easier for you to get, but people should consider this to get. I treat pregnant women, but groups that should kor it as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of getting sick with high contact, that includes people over the age of 65, anyone with asthma, pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system. Those are the vulnerable groups. In the meantime, we heard you have to be on it within 4 hours of symptoms. You have learned Something Else now. That was the old thinking, and there was the old line in the sand, and there is new data that suggests that even after the first 48 hours of symptoms, antiviral medications can be helpful, so that should not be a reason to withhold treatment. Dr. Ashton with us. Jen, thank you. Tonight, we have also learned of an alleged School Shooting plot that has been thwarted. After a School Student overheard a conversation on the school bus and then reported it. Police then racing to a
students home, and tonight, what they have discovered. Heres abcs gio benitez. Reporter tonight, a quickthinking teen is being hailed as a hero for preventing a possible shooting at this school near pittsburgh. Had they not reported this, there couldve been a major catastrophe today at Uniontown High School. Reporter the teen, overhearing a 14yearold classmate on the bus, allegedly talking about plans to shoot four students today at Uniontown High School in pennsylvania, recording the conversation and contacting police. That student overheard it and took appropriate action right on the bus. Reporter within hours, Police Searching the suspects bedroom, finding an arsenal of weapons. Three rifles, including a semiautomatic, a shotgun, two machetes, throwing knives, a revolver, a crossbow and ammunition for it all. Other students posting these videos, extra security measures causing crowding outside the school. The principal keeping them updated. As a result of the investigation, the student was apprehended. Reporter the alleged motive . He just didnt like them. Thats what he said. He didnt like them. What a reason to do something. Reporter and david, tonight, the teen is facing multiple charges including unlawful weapons possession and making terroristic threats. David . Gio benitez with us tonight. Thanks, gio. Next this evening to major new fallout today after the sentences of former Gymnastics Team doctor, larry nassar. The entire board of usa gymnastics announcing they will resign, and nearly 20 victims were in one room with our elizabeth rar g Elizabeth Vargas. What they are now demanding. Reporter they call themselves sister survivors. More than 150 accusers telling their stories and putting larry nassar in prison for the rest of his life. Do you think that larry nassar got what he deserved . Yes. Reporter i sat down with 19 of nassars accusers, all of them telling me that more needs to be done. Show of hands, how many of you think justice still needs to be done . To who . Usa gymnastics. Usa gymnastics . They have already stripped theKarolyi Ranch of any status as a training center. Is that enough . They should have done that a long time ago. Reporter authorities in texas tell abc there is now an investigation of the Karolyi Ranch run by husband and wife team bela and marta karolyi. An isolated training compound for the womens Gymnastics Team. 2010 National ChampionMattie Larson says nassar abused her at the ranch and that she once smashed her head against the bathroom floor to avoid going back into the toxic environment at the ranch. I was willing to physically hurt myself to get out of the abuse that i received at the ranch. Reporter the powerhouse pair who shot to fame coaching alltime greats like Nadia Comaneci and keri strug have not been charged with any crime and have not been accused of knowing about the abuse. Last week, usa gymnastics severed ties with the ranch. Today, some of nassars victims telling me they wouldnt let their daughters anywhere near the sport. I know some of you are moms. Show of hands, how many of you
would allow your daughter to go into gymnastics if she said thats what i want to do . These women want to make sure nothing like this happens to another child. A part of me is still trying to forgive myself for being so naive. Reporter you dont. Theres nothing to forgive. I know, but i just want to wish i could be me and go back in time and talk to me at that age. Reporter what would you say . I would just hug me. I would just hug me and say, its going to be okay and talk to someone. And any 2010 twn partner with us now, and one of the things, elizabeth that struck me is so many of the parents said they were in the room when larry nassar was committing his abuse because parents across the country put so much faith in these coaches. What are they to do . Especially this doctor because he was the olympic doctor. Many of these gymnasts and their parents felt they were lucky to be able to get the chance to see
him. He would block the parents view if they were in the room, but most of the times, these girls were alone with these coaches. One parent told me in a heartbreaking interview that we aired tonight that she felt, quote, dumb and stupid when she found out what was going on. The gymnasts and at least one gymnastics coach thought what larry was doing was a real medical procedure. It ends now, and the conversation begins tonight. Nearly 20 brave survivors out to protect the next generation of athletes, that 20 20 guns tonight, and we hope to see you. The stock market ending at a record high. The dow closing at 26,616 points. The economy growing a sloer 2. 6 , and analysts expected about 3 . There is much more had on world
news tonight this friday. The shootout with police. Two state troopers wounded. The bun galt erupting as police moved in. The mystery surrounding the deaths of that couple found hanging in their home. And the scandal breaking in las vegas. The man behind one of the most famous casinos and resorts. What he was accused of doing to female employees. Some reportedly hiding in bathrooms and closets to avoid him. More on that story. A lot more news coming up ahead s of hundreds of families, hes most proud of the one hes kept over his own. Brand vo get the most out of your money, whether youre using quickbooks smart invoicing to get paid twice as fast or automatically tracking your mileage. Smarter Business Tools for the worlds hardest workers. Quickbooks. Backing you. Lets team up to get the lady of the house back on her feet. And help her feel more strength and energy in just two weeks yaaay
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chairman of the Republican National committee. President trump has called him a good friend. Steve wynn, would you stand up . Hes raising so much money for our great republican party. Reporter the journal article describes a 2005 incident where a manicurist says he forced her to have sex in his office suite. The journal reporting wynn paid her a 7. 5 Million Dollar settlement. A massage therapist alleging wynn would expose himself in a massage room in his office suite. Jorgen nielsen says he worked for 15 years at wynns casino and claims there was repeated misconduct. He was actually chasing one of the managers around that she locked herself in the bathroom and would not come out. The journals account saying a feeling of intimidation was heightened at times by one or more of his german shepherds, trained to respond to commands in german. David n a written statement tonight, wynn saying, the idea
that i ever assaulted any woman is preposterous. David . Kayna whitworth, thank you. When we come back, troopers shot. We have news op their conditions tonight. And the couple found hanging in their home. And why Reba Mcentire is making news tonight. Well be right back. Before you and your rheumatologist move 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. 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 cert